
Coi!yiiglrtN°_ 



CDElfRlGin' DEPOSIT 



CYCLOPEDIA 
OF HARDY FRUITS 



jn^^ 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON ■ CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



CYCLOPEDIA OF 

HARDY FRUITS 



BY 

U. p. HEDRICK 

VICE-DIRECTOR AND HORTICITLTUBIST OP THE NEW 
YORK. AGRICUIiTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 



jl3cto ^orfe 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 
1922 

All rights reserved 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 






CopvniGHT, 1922, 

By the macmillan company. 

Set up and electrotypcd. Published September, 1922. 



Press of 

J. J. Little & Ives Company 

New York. U. S. A. 



SEP 20 IS22 

A6RIBK0 



PREFACE 



The purpose of this manual is to describe 
the varieties of hardy fruits grown in North 
America. A new book describing hardy fruits 
needs no justification. Downing's Fruits and 
Fruit Trees and Thomas' American Fruit Cul- 
turist, in their many editions, have served two 
generations of fruit-growers. Both are worn out 
tools. Most of the varieties described by these 
authors are not now found in American or- 
chards or nurseries. Many of the kinds they 
discuss have never been grown in this country, 
the descriptions published having come from 
European fruit-books. On the other hand, 
none of the varieties of this century is de- 
scribed in Downing or Thomas. Moreover, 
the descriptions of these old workers are too 
scant and fragmentary to have great value in 
modern pomology. A new manual of fruits is 
needed to take the place of Downing and 
Thomas, valuable as these books were for 
their day. 

The plan of the book is simple. A brief 
glance through its pages should suffice to reveal 
even to the beginner in the study of pomologi- 
cal literature the arrangement of fruits and 
their varieties, and the presentation of names 
and synonyms. Clearness and simplicity have 
been sought, that the reader may with the 
least trouble obtain a perfect mental picture 
of the variety described. 

The ways in which the author designs to 
make this manual useful are: (1) To aid in 
the identification of varieties. (2) To guide 
in the choice of varieties. (3) To sort the 
names now in use for varieties of hardy fruits, 
and assign them to the varieties to which they 
belong. (4) To state in what regions the va- 
rieties described grow best. (5) To tell when 
and where the varieties originated. (6) By 
depicting choice products of the orchard, to 
stimulate the desire to grow better fruits. 

The book is written for fruit-growers, 
nurserymen, students in colleges and high- 
schools, county agricultural agents, and buyers 
of fruits. It is designed for those interested 
in fruits in general, rather than for the spe- 
cialist in pomology. Specialists will find fuller 
discussions of nearly all of the varieties de- 
scribed in this manual in the fruit-books pub- 
lished by the New York Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station, most of them written under the 
direction of the author, and from which he 
has drawn heavily for this volume. 



The chief value of a book like this lies in 
the accuracy of the descriptions and of the 
determinations of synonyms. Herein the 
author has had an advantage over the old 
pomologists, since his connection with a mod- 
ern experiment station, with a large collection 
of fruits and a good horticultural library, has 
given him opportunity to describe first hand 
and pass impartial judgment on varieties, and 
to go to original sources for names; whereas, 
the old writers, lacking these modern facilities, 
were compelled to copy one from the other. 

With great reluctance, the author abandons 
a key to varieties of the severaf hardy fruits. 
Years of patient labor have not enabled him 
to produce a key that will work. A variety 
of any fruit behaves so differently in the sev- 
eral great pomological regions of the continent 
that a key cannot be made that will be usable 
for a fruit in all regions. A satisfactory key 
to varieties of apples for New York does not 
fit this fruit in Virginia, Iowa, California, or 
Oregon. About the only constant characters 
of the apple for all regions of the continent 
are sweetness and sourness. The color Of the 
flesh is the only constant character of the 
peach. There are few or no constant char- 
acters in other fruits as they grow in different 
regions. To arrange varieties alphabetically 
is unscientific, disorderly, and makes difficult 
the identification of fruits, but it is the author's 
belief that they cannot be satisfactorily ar- 
ranged otherwise for a text covering more than 
one pomological region. Keys to varieties of 
fruits can be of value only when made for 
particular regions. 

In acknowledging obligations, the author 
needs to name the pomologists of the nine- 
teenth century. Coxe, writing in 1817, was the 
pioneer, followed by Prince, Kenrick, Manning, 
Downing, Thomas, Cole, Barry, Hovey, Elliot, 
Hooper, and Warder, the pageant ending in 
1867. These men brought fruit-growing into 
being in America and nourished it to maturity. 
They studied fruits in their various seasonal 
expressions with accuracy and insight, and 
wrote with the sincere and sympathetic feeling 
of the best naturalists of their day, thereby 
putting American pomology on a solid founda- 
tion. The author of this manual is not forget- 
ful of their great work, a service to the national 
welfare little appreciated, but which is to him 
perennial inspiration. 



Geneva, New York, 
December 15, 1921. 



U. P. Hedrick. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

rial 

PART I— POME-FRUITS 1 

CHAPTER . 

I The Strtjctural Botanv of Pome-fruits i 

II Species of Pome-fruits ^ 

III Varieties of Apples 1^ 

IV Varieties of Crab-apples '^2 

V Varieties of Pears '" 

VI Varieties of Quinces 107 

PART II— DRUPE-FRUITS 111 

VII Botany of the Drupe- fruits 113 

VIII Varieties of Apricots 1^1 

IX Varieties of Cherries 136 

X Varieties of Nectarines 1^*^ 

XI Varieties of Peaches 161 

XII Varieties of Plums 190 

PART III— THE GRAPE 223 

XIII Botany of the Grape 225 

XIV Varieties of Grapes 233 

PART IV— THE BRAMBLES 263 

XV Botany of the Brambles 265 

XVI Varieties of Raspberries 275 

XVII Varieties of Blackberries and Dewberries 285 

PART V— CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES 293 

XVIII Botany of Currants and Gooseberries 295 

XIX Varieties of Currants 301 

XX Varieties of Gooseberries 307 



viii TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

PART VI— HEALTH FRUITS 311 

CHAPTER 

XXI Botany of Heath Fruits 313 

XXII The Cranberry and Its Varieties 316 

XXIII Blueberries and Huckleberries 322 

PART VII— THE STRAWBERRY 327 

XXIV Botany of the Strawberry 329 

XXV Varieties of Strawberries 335 

PART VIII— MISCELLANEOUS FRUITS 347 

XXVI Persimmons, Mulberries, Pawpaws, Elders, Highbush Cran- 
berries, Buffalo-berries, Goumis and Barberries . . . 349 



PLATES 



I Baldwin Apple (m co^or) Frontispiece 

FACiNO nott 

II Bartlett Pear (in color) 34 

III Seckel Pear ^ 

IV Montmorency Cherry 9* 

V Napoleon Cherry • ^^^ 



VI Elberta Peach 



132 



VII Bradshaw Plum 1^^ 

VIII De Soto Plum . 172 

IX Shropshire Plum ^^^ 

X Concord Grape (in color) 206 



XI Niagara Grape 



230 



XII June Red Raspberry 250 

XIII Agawam Blackberry 272 

XIV Fay Currant 296 

XV Industry Gooseberry 308 

XVI Good Luck Strawberry (in color) 342 



CYCLOPEDIA 
OF HARDY FRUITS 



CYCLOPEDIA OF 
HARDY FRUITS 

PART I— POME-FRUITS 



CHAPTER I 
THE STRUCTURAL BOTANY OF POME-FRUITS 



Botanists differ in defining a pome. One 
definition is that the outer fleshy part of the 
apple, pear or quince, fruits which all agree 
are typical pomes, is the thickened calyx; a 
comparatively new definition describes a pome 
as consisting of two to five carpels, each of 
which is a drupe-like fruit containing one to 
many seeds, the several drupes being connected 
and held together by a fleshy receptacle. The 



to which belong the apricot, cherry, peach, 
nectarine, and plum; the brambles, a general 
name for blackberries, dewberries, and raspber- 
ries; and strawberries, sometimes called the 
runner fruits. Among these several groups, 
pome-fruits lead in importance in the agricul- 
tural regions of the world. The pomes seem to 
have been cultivated longer than any other of 
the fruits under consideration; hence it may 




1. Flower and fruit of a pome. A, Flower of pome; B, Fruit 
of pome, a, Sepal; b, calyx-tube; c, receptacle; d, carpel; e, 
ovule; /, petal; g, stamen; h, style. 



definition most generallj' accepted is that a 
pome is a fleshy fruit of which the compound 
ovary is borne within and connected with the 
enlarged receptacle. 

A discussion of the botanical alliances of this 
group of plants would be helpful to the study 
of the structure of pomes. Such a discussion, 
however, would lead far afield, so that a brief 
statement must suffice as to the place which 
pome-fruits hold in botanical classifications of 
plants. The pome-fruits belong to Rosaceae, 
a family of plants of which the rose is the 
type. Three other groups of hard.v fruits com- 
mon in orchards are associated with the pomes 
in the Rose family. These are : drupe-fruits, 



be assumed that they are farthest evolved from 
the wild state, and accordingly there are more 
varieties of apples and pears than of other 
hardy fruits. It is significant that pomology, 
the name accepted for the science and practice 
of fruit-growing, is derived from pome. (Fig. 
1.) 

CHARACTERS OF POME-FRUIT PLANTS 

The recognition of varieties is usually de- 
pendent on characters of the fruits, but the 
plants are distinct as well as the fruits and 
may be helpful in identification and classifica- 
tion, and, in the absence of fruit, must be 
relied on to identify a species or variety. It is 



2 CONSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERS 



LEAF-BUDS AND LEAVES 



still more important that the cultivator should 
know whether or not the plant is manageable 
in the orchard, and, therefore, should have a 
description of all plant-characters. 

Size of tree is a very reliable character to 
determme varieties of any of the pome-fruits. 
The Wagener or Rome Beauty apples, or the 
Winter Nelis pear, are almost dwarfs as com- 
pared with other apples and pears. Size varies 
greatly with environment, it must be remem- 
bered, in using this character. The terms large, 
small, and medium are commonly used to 
designate size. Vigor must not be confused 
with size. Vigor may be defined as internal 
energy. Small trees may be as vigorous as 
large ones. 

The term "habit of growth," as used by 
pomologists, has reference to the form of the 
top. In describing the tops of pome-fruit trees 
a number of self-explanatory terms are used; 
as, upright, spreading, drooping, tall, low, dense, 
open-topped, vase-jorm, and round-topped. 
Many if not most varieties of pome-fruits may 
be told by the form of the top. One can tell 
Sutton at a glance by its upright branches; as 
he can, also, Rhode Island Greening by its 
wide-spreading branches; or the Winter Nelis 
pear by its drooping branches. The form of 
the top may make a variety easy or difficult to 
manage in the orchard. 

Constitutional characters. 

Constitution is a rather vague term used by 
pomologists to indicate the vital power of 
varieties. It generally refers to hardiness, pro- 
ductiveness, susceptibility to pests and adapt- 
ability to climates and soils. 

The degree of hardiness is difficult to use 
in identification but does identify, and is of 
utmost importance in characterizing the value 
of a fruit. Baldwin and Rhode Island Green- 
ing apples are relatively tender to cold; Mcin- 
tosh is hardy and Hibernal is very hardy. The 
Bartlett pear is tender; Seckel more hardy. 

Productiveness, age of bearing, regularity of 
bearing, and certainty of bearing are all well- 
recognized characters of pome-fruits, helping 
to set the value of a variety, and all count in 
classifying, although rather difficult to use for 
this purpose. Length of life, whether long or 
short, is another character of constitution that 
must be noted. 

The degree of susceptibility of a variety to 
fungous diseases or insect pests is a most 
valuable cultural character and may be used 
in classifying. Thus, there are great differences 
in varieties of apples in their resistance to 
apple-scab, fire-blight, cedar-rust and bitter- 
rot; or, to codlin-moth, any of the aphids, 
or San Jose scale. All pears are more or less 
susceptible to pear-blight and various fungous 
diseases, as they are also to psylla, San Jose 
scale, and other insects. Varieties of apples 
and pears are described in this text as immune 
to one or more of these pests, and others as 
especially susceptible to them. 

All of these constitutional characters are 
much modified by care and environment. Care 
and environment, also, greatly modify the 



adaptability of varieties to special locations, 
although nothing is more certain than that 
some varieties are adapted to a greater range 
of conditions than others. The Baldwin apple 
and Bartlett pear have as one of their most 
valuable qualities great adaptability to diverse 
conditions. 

Trunk and branch. 

The trunk counts for little in descriptions 
of varieties because it is usually changed by 
pruning. The bark may be smooth or shaggy. 
Color of bark is often a most valuable diag- 
nostic character, especially in young trees. 
Many if not most varieties of pome-fruits can 
be told in the nursery by the color of the bark. 

The branches offer several distinctive char- 
acters, some of which are very reliable. The 
long slender branches of Rhode Island Green- 
ing and Tompkins King apples, and the slender 
drooping branches of the Winter Nelis pear are 
examples. The branches of some pears bear 
spines, and the fruit-spurs borne on branches 
of all pome-fruits are very characteristic. The 
branchlets or twigs may be short or slender; 
long-jointed or short -jointed; straight or zig- 
zagging; variously colored; some, at certain 
stages of maturity, are pubescent, others 
glabrous; the branching angle of branchlets 
is often characteristic ; the epidermis may be 
smooth or covered with scarf-skin; lastly, the 
size, shape, color, number, and position of the 
lenticels on young wood are most important 
in identifying trees after the leaves have fallen. 

Leaj-buds and leaves. 

Size, length and shape of leaf-buds help to 
identify dormant trees. The shape may usu- 
ally be described as acute, pointed, obtuse, 
conical or plump. If the bud lies close to the 
twig, it is said to be appressed; if it stands 
at a considerable angle, it is free. In examin- 
ing dormant buds, note should be made as to 
whether the leaf-scar is conspicuous or incon- 
spicuous. 

While leaves vary much in accordance with 
the condition of the plant which bears them, 
they offer a number of valuable distinguishing 
characters. In the study of leaves, those 
found on water-sprouts or suckers and those 
borne on slow-growing spurs should not be 
used, but, rather, those found on free-growing 
twigs. 

The size of the leaf, if given in figures, is a 
most valuable determinant of varieties of all 
pome-fruits, as is the shape, if depicted in 
well-chosen words. Thickness counts for some- 
thing, as do the color of the upper and lower 
surfaces and the character and amount of 
pubescence on the surfaces. The margins offer 
evidence for identification in the character of 
the serrations, and in the glands and hairs to 
be found in an occasional variety. The time 
of the appearance and the fall of leaves 
characterizes some varieties. Lastly, some 
sorts have many leaves and others few. The 
length, thickness, and color of the petiole and 
its smoothness or pubescence are sometimes 
worth noting. 



FLOWER-BUDS AND FLOWERS 



SIZE AND SHAPE 



Flower-buds and flowers. 

Flower-buds offer the same marks for identi- 
fication as are mentioned for leaf-buds. They 
may usually be distinguished from leaf-buds, 
being larger and less pointed, and, of course, by 
their contents, if examined under a microscope. 
Time of opening is a mark of distinction with 
varieties that bloom very early or very late, 
but it will be found that most varieties open 
at approximately the same time. 

The flower of the apple gives opportunity to 
identify through its characteristics almost 
every variety; the flowers of the pear and 
quince are of less use, but still are useful. The 
size, shape, and color of the petals offer the 
best means of identification in flowers. The 
length, thickness, amount, and kind of pubes- 
cence on the styles may distinguish varieties. 
The styles of Tolman Sweet are covered and 
bound together by dense pubescence not to be 
found in any other variety. The styles of the 
Howell pear are abnormally short. The calyx- 
tubes, calyx-lobes, and pedicels differ mate- 
rially. These structures in the flower, while 
offering decisive evidence in identification, are 
seldom used by pomologists, because characters 
of plant and fruit may be studied during a 
much longer time and are of greater cultural 
importance. The stamens, however, afford a 
more permanent means of classifying than 
other parts of the flower. In the blooming 
season, length, diameter, and the pubescence 
of stamens may be noted, but much more im- 
portant, taxonomically, is the position of the 
stamens on the calyx-tube in the mature fruit, 
these organs, or remnants of them, persisting 
in the ripened fruits, as will be noted in the 
discussion of characters of the fruit. 

Lastly, some varieties may be identified 
during the blooming season by the distribution 
of the blossoms on the tree. The flowers of 
Rome Beauty, as an example, are borne on 
the periphery of the tree, giving it an aspect 
by which one may recognize the variety at 
once. The flower-clusters of some pome-fruits 
bear many flowers; others few; in some the 
flowers are loosely arranged, in others com- 
pactly. 

FRDIT CHARACTERS OF POMES 

If a variety is not noteworthy in the char- 
acters for which the fruit is grown— those 
which appeal to the senses of taste and sight— 
Jt stands small chance of being cultivated long 
or widely. Varieties are generally known, 
therefore, from the characters of the fruit 
rather than those of the plant. Hence, especial 
attention is paid to descriptions of the fruit, 
some pomologists characterizing almost wholly 
from the fruit and saying little or nothing of 
the plant. 

Season and use. 

Perhaps season is the first character, and 
certainly it is one of the most important char- 
acters to be noted in the ripened fruit. By 
season is meant the period in which a variety 



is in proper condition for use. Unless other- 
wise stated, season has reference to the period 
during which fruit is in condition for use in 
ordinary storage, which of course greatly pro- 
longs the natural season. The terms summer, 
jail and winter, sometimes modified by early 
or late, give the season with sufficient accuracy. 
Keeping quality and shipping quality, both de- 
pendent on several factors, are usually men- 
tioned in connection with season. 

Rather closely connected with season is use, 
the uses for which a variety is particularly 
suited being indicated by several terms. A 
market variety is one suitable for the general 
market; a local market sort is one which does 
not stand handling well enough for the general 
market but is acceptable in local trade. A 
dessert or table variety is suitable for eating 
in the uncooked state; culinary, cooking, or 
kitchen varieties are especially desirable for 
culinary purposes. 

Size and shape. 

Among external characters of pome-fruits, 
size is important, if several typical specimens 
can be examined, but is often misleading be- 
cause under the stress of environment abnormal 
specimens may be produced. Gradations in 
size are expressed by the terms large, medium, 
and small, modified by very, above, or below. 
Used in connection with size, uniform signifies 
that the fruits of a variety are generally of 
about the same size. 

Probably no one character of pome-fniits is 
more important in classification than shape, 
especially since it may be used with reference 
to immature as well as mature specimens. 
In determining the shape of a pome, the fruit 
should be held opposite the eye perpendicular 
to the diameter from stem to calyx; or the 
fruit may be cut longitudinally at its widest 
diameter. So looked at, an apple may be 
described as round, oblate, conical, ovate, ob- 
long, truncate, or by combinations of these 
and similar terras. If the fruit then be turned 
so that the base or apex is opposite the eye, 
or if a transverse section be made at the 
widest diameter, it may be determined whether 
the fruit is regular, that is if the transverse 
section is circular in outline; elliptical, with 
its sides compressed ; or ribbed, angular, 
oblique, with sides unequal or symmetrical, — 
all self-explanatory terms. 

The shapes of pears are even more used in 
classifying that fruit than is the case with 
apples. Besides the terms used in describing 
apples, additional descriptive words are neces- 
sary by reason of the common division of a 
pear into two parts— the neck and the body. 
The neck is the narrow part bearing the stem; 
the body is the more or less swollen part 
crowned by the calyx. A pear is pvriform 
when the curves formed by the body and neck 
are concave; turbinate, or top-shaped, when 
the body is nearly round with a short neck. 
The neck may be long or short, distinct or ob- 
scure, obtuse or acute. The body is usually 
described by the terms used in describing 
apples. 



4 



THE STEM 



CHAKACTERS OF THE SKIN 



The terms used in describing shapes of apples 
and pears are applicable to the quince. Many 
nomologists describe quinces as either apple- 
shaped or pear-shaped. 

A graphic record should accompany a de- 
scription of the fruit, to show size and shape. 
A simple outline drawing serves the purpose. 

The stem. 

Varying as little as any other character of 
the apple or pear, the stem is much used in 
identification. It may be long and slender, 
as in the Rome Beauty apple or Bosc pear; 
short and thick as in the Sutton apple and 
Comice pear; fleshy as in the Peck Pleasant 
apple and Louise Bonne pear; clubbed when 
enlarged at the end; and lipped when the 
flesh forms a protuberance under which the 
stem is inserted, as in the Pewaukee apple. 
The stems of pears are often set obliquely, as 
in Clairgeau; or are crooked or curved, as in 
Howell. The stems of some pome-fruits have 
distinguishing colors; those of others are 
pubescent. In some pears, as Bergamot d'Es- 
peren, there are bud-like projections on the 
stem. The length of the stem in apples and 
pears is a reliable diagnostic character only 
when it is known from what part of the flower- 
cluster the fruit was developed. For, as a 
rule, the nearer the flower to the center of the 
umbel in the apple, and the tip of the raceme 
in the pear, the shorter the stem of the fruit. 

Cavity and basin. 

The cavity, the depression in which the stem 
is set, offers several marks which greatly en- 
hance the value of a description of any of the 
pomes. It may be acute or obtuse; shallow, 
medium, or deep; narrow, medium, or broad; 
smooth or russeted; furrowed, ribbed, angular, 
or uniform; or it may be lipped as described 
under stem. The color of the skin within the 
cavity is sometimes different from that with- 
out, and there may be radiating lines, rays, 
•or streaks. 

The basin, the depression in which the calyx 
is set, is as important as the cavity in classify- 
ing pomes, and is described by the same 
terms. The furrows in the basin are some- 
times indistinct and are then called wavy. 
The skin around the calyx-lobes may be 
wrinkled, plaited, folded or corrugated. Rarely, 
there are fleshy protuberances about the calyx- 
lobes, as in the Delicious apple and Siberian 
crab-apple, called mammiform appendages. 

Calyx-lobes. 

The withered calyx-lobes persist in some 
pomes and not in others. They persist in the 
common apple and are deciduous in P. bac- 
cata; persist in European pears, deciduous in 
the edible-fruited Asiatic species; persist in 
the common quince, deciduous in the Japanese 
quince. The calyx-lobes may be open, partly 
open, or closed in varieties of the fniits in 
which they are persistent. In some varieties 
of apples the segments are separated at the 
base; in others, united. The lobes may lie flat 
■on the fruit or may stand erect. When up- 



right, if the tips incline inward, the lobes are 
said to be connivent ; if inclined outward, they 
are reflexed or divergent. The lobes may be 
broad or narrow, with tips acute or acuminate. 

Characters oj the skin. 

The skins of pome-fruits offer several most 
valuable features for classification, color being 
the most important. Perhaps no character of 
fruits varies more in accordance with environ- 
ment than the color, yet the color itself and 
the way in which it is distributed on the fruit 
serve to make this character a fairly safe dis- 
tinguishing mark for most varieties of pome- 
fruits. The ground-color of apples, pears, and 
quinces is the green or yellow-green of chloro- 
phyll, usually with an over-color of tints and 
shades of yellow or red. The over-color may 
be laid on in stripes, splashes or streaks; or 
as a blush ; it may mottle the surface, or may 
be a single color, in which case the fruit is said 
to be self-colored. 

The skin may be thick or thin, tough or 
tender. In a few varieties of apples it is rela- 
tively free from the flesh, but with most clings 
tightly. The surface of the skin may be cov- 
ered with a delicate white substance called 
the bloom, Mcintosh furnishing a good ex- 
ample of an apple with a bloom. In other 
varieties the skin is waxy or oily, as in Lowell 
and Tompkins King apples. This character 
must not be confused with waxen, which re- 
fers to the glossy appearance of the skm of 
such apples as Winter Banana and Maiden 
Blush. 

Some apples and pears have an unbroken 
russet surface, as Roxbury Russet apple and 
the Sheldon pear. Or the surface may be 
rough because of minute russet dots or netted 
veins. In man.y apples the cavity alone is 
russeted, as in Pumpkin Sweet. If the russet 
of the cavity is spread out in radiating lines, 
it is said to be radiating. 

In some apples a suture-like line extends 
toward the apex from the base, Tolman Sweet 
furnishing an example. 

With varieties of all of the pome-fruits, note 
should be made of the presence and character 
of pubescence about the calyx. In the quince, 
the whole surface is covered with woolly 
pubescence, which must be described. 

Nearly all apples and pears have few or 
many dots on the skin, notes on which may 
enhance the value of a description. These 
may be obscure or conspicuous, large or small, 
raised or sunken. If visible under the epider- 
mis, they are said to be submerged. When 
star-like, they are called stellate. If sur- 
rounded by a halo of lighter color, they are 
said to be areolar. In some varieties of apples, 
the dots are much elongated. 

The .roughened outer skin, called scarj-skin, 
gives a distinguishing appearance to a few 
apples. The scarf-skin runs outward from the 
base of the apple in lines or stripes on Pump- 
kin Sweet, Green Ne\\i,own, and some other 
varieties. This scarf-.skin gives a dull appear- 
ance to some red apples, as Sweet Winesap and 
Black Gillifiower. 



INTERNAL STRUCTURE 



FIBROVASCULAR BUNDLES 



Cutting pomes to show the internal structure. 

When varieties cannot be distinguished from 
external marks, there are several very reliable 
characters that can be made use of m the in- 
ternal anatomy of the pome. To study these 
characters it is necessary to make a longi- 
tudmal and a transverse section of the fruit. 
To make an accurate examination of the in- 
ternal structure of apple, pear or quince, the 
sectioning must be done with a keen, thin 
knife, with a steady hand and a good eye. 

In making the longitudinal section, the knife 
should pass through the center of the calyx, 
showing the remnants of styles and stamens; 
through the middle of the core cell, showing 
the outline of the core cavity; and through 
the middle of the stem. A true record cannot 
be obtained unless the organs named are di- 
vided with fair accuracy into halves. In mak- 
ing the transverse section, the knife should 
pass through the widest diameter of the fruit, 
cutting the core in half. If the core is not 
in the center of the fruit, trial cuts to locate 
it must be made that it may be halved exactly. 




2. Longitudinal section of an apple showing 
core characters (X %). a. Cavity; b, core- 
lines; c, abaxile open core with broadly ellip- 
tical mucronate carpels; d, conical calyx- 
tube; e, calyx-lobes; /, basin. 

The stamens. 

After halving the fruit longitudinally, the 
first organs to be studied are the stamens, the 
position of which furnishes reliable taxonomic 
data. Hogg, an eminent British pomologist, 
devi.sed an analytical key to varieties of apples 
based on the position of the stamens. Apples 
may be divided into three groups in accordance 
with the position of stamens. In one group 
the stamens are on the outer margin of the 
calyx-tube and are said to be marginal; in 
the second, they are located about the middle 
of the tube and are said to be median; in the 
third, they are inserted at the base of the 
tube and are said to be basal. 

The calyx-tube and styles. 

Passing from the stamens to the calyx-tube, 
it will be found that the shape of this structure 
is of some use in separating varieties, although 
it is exceedingly variable in accordance with 
the size of the fruit, and is materially altered 



by abnormalities in the fruit. The base of the 
styles, in some varieties, develops into fleshy 
tissue which alters the shape of the calyx-tube. 
The calyx-tube may be cone-shaped, funnel- 
shaped, or urn-shaped. When funnel-shaped, 
the broad upper part is called the liitib ; the 
narrow lower part, the cylinder. In some 
varieties the remnants of the styles, often more 
or less fleshy, form a point, called the pistil- 
point, which projects into the calyx-tube. 
Gano has a well-developed pistil point. 

The core. 

The position of the core in the fruit is 
often a valuable means of distinguishing varie- 
ties. If close to the stem, the core is said to 
be sessile; if at the center of the pome, it is 
median; when distant from the stem, distant. 
The cell containing seed, called a carpel, is 
morphologically a modified leaf, which by 
folding together and by union of its edges 
forms a closed receptacle. In some varieties 
the carpels are open; in others, closed. If the 
tip of the carpel is indented, it is said to be 
emarginate ; if long and pointed, mucronate. 
In shape, carpels may be round, cordate, ob- 
cordate, elliptical, oblong, elongated, ovate, or 
obovate. In the cores of most pomes there 
is a central cavity called the core-caiily, some- 
times spoken of as the axial-sac, which may 
be either narrow or wide ; in some it is lacking. 
This is a character of much importance and 
reliability in pears. When the carpels extend 
quite to the axis of the fruit, they are said 
to be axile, and there is no core cavity; when 
distant from the axis, they are abaxile, and a 
core cavity is formed. Sometimes the carpel 
is lined on the inner surface with a white sub- 
stance, as in Tompkins King, when it is said 
to be tujtcd. In some pears there are many 
fine hairs in the core-cavity, in which case the 
cavity is said to be tufted. The characters of 
the core are shown in Fig. 2. The limits of 
the core are marked by a line usually very 
distinct in apples and quinces, which is called 
the core-line. The area enclosed by this line 
may be large or small and may be variously 
shaped. In some species of apples, as in 
P. coronaria and P. ioensii, lue core separates 
from the flesh along the core-line so that it 
may be taken out, leaving a well-defined cavity 
in the apple. The direction which the core- 
line takes from the intruded woody stem fibres 
is often a clear mark of distinction. Thus, the 
line may proceed at right angles from the 
stem, may incline upward, or incline down- 
ward. When the core-line joins the calyx-tube 
along the sides it is said to be clasping; when 
the two ends of the line meet at the base of 
the calyx-tube, the expression "core-lines 
meeting" is used. 

Fibrovascular bundles. 

Ten primary fibrovascular bundles enter the 
flesh of pomes from the pedicel and closely 
follow the core-line which marks the limits of 
the core. These are plainly seen in transverse 
sections of apples and quinces as well-marked 
dots. They are arranged in two cycles. In 



6 



SEEDS 



FLAVOR AND QUALITY 



the outer cycle, the bundles are opposite the 
dorsal sutures of the carpels; those of the 
inner cycle alternate with the carpels. The 
core-line appears in the transverse section on 
the inner side of the ten bundles as a beautiful 
bit of tracery, looping out between the bundles 
into the pulp. There is much difference in the 
size of the bundles and in the outline of the 
core-line, as seen in sections of a pome, and 
these seem quite distinct in each variety. Ac- 
cordingly, it IS proposed by several workers 
at home and abroad to classify varieties by 
means of these structures. To the working 
pomologist, who finds little difficulty in identi- 
fying varieties from characters more easily seen, 
such attempts seem an unnecessary magnifi- 
cation of fine points. 

Seeds. 

Seeds are characteristic in all varieties of 
pome-fruits, and might well be used in classi- 
fication more generally than is the case. The 
number is exceedingly variable in all varieties. 
In apples and pears, the usual number is tw-o 
in each cell, but often there are three or more, 
and occasionally seeds are missing; in quinces, 
there are many in each cell. Seeds vary 
greatly in different varieties in size, shape and 
color, and differences in these characters are 
as constant as are those of any other organs 
of the fruit. Number, size, shape, and color 
of seeds should be noted with care in every 
technical description of a pome. The point 
of the seed, also, is worth noting; it may be 
acute, acuminate, or obtuse. Like the carpels, 
the seeds are often tufted. In quinces, the 
seeds are arranged in two rows, and the testa 
abounds in a gum having demulcent and 
mucilaginous properties. 

Flesh. 

Most pomes may be identified from the flesh 
characters without a glance at any other part 
of fruit or plant. Flavor, odor, and te.xture 
of flesh are distinct in almost every variety 
of apple, pear, or quince, and appeal more 
strongly to the senses of taste and smell than 
characters measured by the eye do to the 
sight. Unfortunately, flavors, odors, and tex- 
tures are difficult to describe. All characters 
of the flesh vary greatly in accordance with 
conditions of growth, soil and climate having 
a profound influence on texture, flavor, and 



quality. It is important, also, in describing 
the flesh to have the fruit at the proper stage 
of maturity, and as immaturity verges almost 
imperceptibly into maturity and maturity into 
decay, each condition affecting the flesh, it is 
not surprising that differences of opinion may 
be many in judging the flesh characters of a 
fruit. In cutting an apple, the color of the 
flesh is first noted. It may be white, as in 
Mcintosh; tinged with yellow, as in Baldwin.; 
greenish-white, as in Stark; or streaked or 
tinged with red, as in Wealthy. Apples with 
red flesh are occasionally found, but no stand- 
ard varieties have flesh of this color. Pears 
have the flesh of the same colors as the apple, 
except that none is quite as white in flesh as 
Mcintosh. The flesh of the quince is yellow 
or orange, often turning pink or red when 
cooked. One determines the nature of the 
texture by cutting the fruit, by pressing 
with the fingers, and by eating. The texture 
may be coarse or fine; tender or tough; crisp, 
breaking, melting, or in the pear almost 
buttery; drj' or juicy. Many varieties of 
pears are granular or gritty about the core, 
and sometimes gritty nodules are found in the 
flesh, but usually as abnormalities. 

Flavor and quality. 

Apples and pears are readily divided into 
two classes as to flavor; they are either sweet 
or sour. Such a division is less apparent in 
quinces. The qualifying terms mildly and 
very are often used with sweet and sour. Sub- 
acid, tart, and sprightly are sometimes most 
expressive. Austere refers to a flavor more 
or less sour with some astringency. Pears and 
quinces may often be put down as astringent. 
All varieties have a more or less distinct 
aroma. Rich and refreshing are words often 
found in the rather extensive vocabulary neces- 
sary to describe the flavors of fruits. 

Quality is that combination of texture, 
flavor, and aroma which makes a fruit pleasant 
to the palate. Quality is rated by common 
con.sent of pomologists in five grades: poor, 
fair, good, very good, and best. It should be 
noted that good in this rating signifies a fruit 
of but medium quality. 

The accompanying description blank for the 
apple sets forth most of the characters stu- 
dents and fruit-growers will use in describing 
pome-fruits. 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE APPLE 



Name 



.Orchard R""- 



No. 



TBEE 

Marked characteristics 

Large, medium, small 
Vigorous, medium, weak 
Upright, spreading, drooping 
Tall, low, dense 

Open, vase-formed, round-topped 
Slow growing, rapid growing 
Hardy, half-hardy, tender 
Very 'productive, productive 
Medium productive, unproductive 
Regular bearer, uncertain bearer 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 



TRUNK 

Stocky, medium, slender 
Smooth, medium, shaggy 
BRANCHES 

Thick, medium, slender 
Smooth, medium 
Shaggy, zigzag 
Red, brown, gray, green 
Lenticels 
Numerous, medium, few 
Large, medium, small 
BR.\NCHLETS 

Thick, medium, slender, willowy 
Long, medium, short 
Red, brown, gray 
Green, glossy 
Rough, smooth, zigzag 
Pubescent, glabrous 
Internodes 
Long, medium, short 
LEAF-BUDS 

Large, medium, small 
Long, medium, short 
Obtuse, conical, pointed, plump 
Appressed or free 
Leaf-scars 

Prominent 
LEAVES _.,^, 

Length Width. 

Large, medium, small 

Wide, medium, narrow 

Long, medium, short 

Oval, ovate, obovate 

Abruptly pointed, taper-pointed 

Thick, medium, thin 

Light, medium, dark green 

Smooth, rugose 
Margin 

Glandular, crenate 

Finely serrate, coarsely serrate 
Petiole, length > 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 
FLOWERS 

Date of bloom 

Early, medium, late 

Large, medium, small 

White, pink 
Fertile or sterile 

PBTJIT 

Marked characteristics 

Early, mid-season, late 



DATE OF RIPENING 

LENGTH OF SEASON 

HANGS WELL OR DROPS 

KEEPING QUALITY 

SHIPPING QUALITY 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 



FB1TIT, Cont'd 

Length • 

Large, medium, small 
Uniform, variable 
Roundish, oblate, conical 
Ovate, oblong, truncate 
Oblique, ribbed, irregular 
Sj-mmetrical, sides unequal 
Uniform 

STEM 

Long, medium, short 
Thick, medium, slender 

CAVITY 

Obtuse, acute, acuminate 
Shallow, medium, deep 
Narrow, medium, broad 
Russeted. smooth 
Symmetrical, furrowed 
Compressed, lipped 

CALYX 

Open, closed 
Large, medium, small 
Lobes 
Separated at base 
Long, medium, short 
Broad, medium, narrow 
Obtuse, acute, acuminate 

BASIN 

Shallow, medium, deep 
Narrow, medium, wide 
Obtuse, abrupt, smooth 
Furrowed, corrugated 
Symmetrical, compressed 

SKIN 

Thick, medium, thin 
Tou^h, medium, tender 
Smooth, rough 
Russet, waxen 
Glossy, dull, bloom 

COLOR 



DOTS 

Numerous, medium, few 
Large, medium, small 
Conspicuous, obscure 
Gray, russet 
Submerged, areolar 
FLESH 

White, yellow, red 
Firm, coarse, medium, fine 
Crisp, tender, tough 
Dry, juicv, sweet, subacid 
Sour, aromatic, sprightly 
Quality 
Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 
CORE 

Large, medium, small 
Open, closed 
Axile, abaxile 
CORE-LINES 

Clasping, meeting 
CALYX-TUBE 

Long, medium, narrow 
Wide, medium, narrow 
Funnel-sliaped, conical, um-shaped 

SEED 

Large, medium, small 

Wide, medium, narrow 

Long, medium, short 

Flat, plump, obtuse 

Acute, acuminate, tufted 
USE — Dessert, kitchen, market, home 

TYPE OP 

DESIRABILITY 



CHAPTER II 

SPECIES OF POME-FRUITS 



There are about ninety genera in the Rose 
family, of which ten or twelve bear pome- 
fruits. Of the pome-bearing genera, but two 
contain cultivated species of prime importance 
in fruit-growing: namely, Pyr s, to which be- 
long apples and pears; and Cydonia, the 
quince. Three other genera are of lesser im- 
portance: Mespilus, the medlar; Chsenomeles, 
the Japanese quince; and Araelanchier, the 
Juneberry. The fruits of Crataegus, the haw- 
thorns or thorn-apples, allied to medlars in the 
structure of the fruit, are edible, and several 
species offer possibilities for domestication, but 
none is cultivated in North America. 

THE GENUS PYRUS 

Authorities differ as to what groups of plants 
should be included in Pyrus. Most of the 
older botanists placed in the genus the apple, 
pear, crab-apple, quince, medlar, sorbus, and 
chokeberry. Some botanists still include all 
of these fruits, but the modem tendency is to 
segregate the groups in distinct genera some- 
what in accordance with the common names, 
as the differences which give distinctions suffi- 
cient for a common name suffice also for a 
botanical division. The pear and apple, how- 
ever, are generally kept together in Pyrus; 
but few botanists consider the differences in 
the two fruits sufficiently marked to justify 
putting them further apart than in two sections 
of one genus. The distinguishing characters 
of Pyrus are: 

>Voody plants, trees or shrubs, with smooth or scaly 
bark. Leaves simple, or sometimes lobed, alternate, 
usually serrate, deciduous with deciduous stipules which 
are free from the petiole. Flowers perfect, regular, 
borne in compound terminal cj-mes ; torus urn-shaped, 
adnate to the ovary and inclosing it with thick suc- 
culent flesh at maturity ; calyx-lobes 5. acuminate and 
refiexed, persistent in some and deciduous in other 
epecies ; petals 5, white, pink or red, inserted on the 
thickened border of the disk ; stamens 10-20, in three 
rows ; styles 2-5 free oi united below ; carpels 2-5, 
inferior, crowned by the styles, usually 2-seeded. Fruit 
an ovoid or pyriform pome ; seeds 2 in each cell, brown 
or brownish, lustrous, mucilaginous on the outer surface. 

Pyrus contains fifty to sixty species widely 
scattered throughout the north temperate zone, 
the largest number in south-central and east- 
ern Asia. In North America, Pyrus is repre- 
sented by five species, while eight or nine 
species inhabit Europe. Study of the species 
makes plain that there are many natural 
varieties. The two sections of Pyrus, given 
the rank of genera by some authors, are dis- 
tinguished as follows: 



1. Apples (Mains). Flowers pink, rose-color, red 
or sometimes white, borne in fascicles or subumbellate 
clusters on short spurs or lateral branchlets ; ovary 3-5- 
celled ; styles more or less united at the base. Fruit 
more or less globular with a distinct depression at both 
ends, the Hesh without grit cells, rounded at the base. 
The species in this section number from 30-40, of which 
not more than a half dozen are domesticated. 

2. Pears (Pyrus). Flowers white, few, borne in corymbs 
on short spurs or lateral branchlets ; ovary 5-celled ; 
styles usually free. Fruit usually pyriform, sometimes 
subglobose. usually conical at the base, the flesh usually 
bearing grit-cells when ripened on the tree. The 
species number from 15-20 of which but two are truly 
domesticated, but several otliers give promise of value 
for stocks and possibly for their fruits. 



THE APPLE 

Of the thirty and more species of apples and 
crab-apples, but two are prominent pomologi- 
cal subjects, as all of the others remain wild 
or are cultivated in a small way or as orna- 
mentals. Among the ornamental species, how- 
ever, are several bearing edible fruits, which, 
though of small value now for the orchard, 
may through selection or hybridization play 
an important part in the pomology of the 
future. But for the present, fruit-growers are 
concerned with only P. Malus, from which 
comes the common apple, and P. baccata, 
parent of most cultivated crab-apples. Culti- 
vated apples and crab-apples are easily dis- 
tinguished in standard varieties by size, shape, 
flesh, and flavor, to name the characters in 
which differences are most apparent, but in 
outlying varieties the two fruits merge into 
each other so that clear botanical separation 
rests on a difference in one structure, the calyx. 
In the common apple the calyx persists on the 
ripened fruit ; in the true crab-apple, it falls 
from ripe fruits. 

1. Pyrns Malus, Linn. Apple. Plant a large bush 
or a tree attaining a height of 60-70 feet with a trunk 
1-2 feet in diameter which .divides into stout spreading 
branches forming a round open head : bark separating 
into large, thick, ashy-brown persistent scales ; branch- 
lets and twigs glabrous or slightly pubescent, usually 
bright red-brown and dotted with scattered, conspicuous 
lenticels. Leaves oval, ovate or orbicular-ovate, usually 
pointed at the apex, rounded or truncate at the base, 
with serrate margins, dull in color, soft in texture, borne 
on stout petioles. Flowers large, white, pink or red, 
borne in close terminal cymose clusters on short pedicels ; 
appearing with the leaves ; calyx-lobes 5, acuminate ; 
petals 5, inserted, remotely contracted into narrow claws, 
usually pink. Fruit exceedingly variable in size, shape 
color, flavor and time of ripening, with a cavity aboul 
the stem, the calyx persistent and set in a well-marked 
basin ; flesh thick, succulent and homogeneous. Seeds 
brownish, glossy, mucilaginous, usually two in each of 
the 5 carpels forming the core. 

Between four and five thousand named 
pomological varieties belong to this species, a 



CRAB APPLES 



CRAB APPLES 



species, however, which some authorities prefer 
to divide into two or more specific groups. It 
is probable that cultivated apples have come 
from two distinct species, possibly three, but 
these have been so fused by hybridization that 
it is now impossible to separate cultivated 
varieties into species. The best that can be 
done is to divide the species into several 
botanical varieties to which the pomological 
varieties may be referred, but even this cannot 
be done with the precision that might be 
wished. Of the many botanical varieties de- 
scribed by various authors, but three are de- 
limited with sufficient exactness to make them 
useful to the pomological student. These 
are: 

Var. siflirstris, Linn. Characterized by glabrous 
shoots and leaves whereas those in the tj-pe species are 
pubescent : the calyx-lobes are glabrous outside but 
pubescent within. The habitat of the variety is West 
and Central Europe. The distinction between this 
variety and the type species would be hardly worth 
making, were it not that some European botanists give 
it the rank of a species and refer several pomological 
varieties to it. 

Var. pnmila, Henry. To tliis botanical variet.v, de- 
scribed as a species by some authors, most of the 
cultivated apples are now referred. The trees are large 
or small; sometimes bush-like, with the young branches, 
pedicels, calyx-tube, both surfaces of the cal^-x-lobes and 
the under surface of the leaves prominently tomentose. 
The Paradise and Doucin apples, used as dwarfing stocks, 
are probably dwarf forms of Var. pumila. This botanical 
variety is native to southeastern Europe and western 
Asia, although found wild as an escape wherever the 
apple is cultivated. 

Var. astracanica. Loud. It is probable that several 
pomological varieties belong to this botanical variety, 
which is characterized by large, coarsely serrate or double 
serrate leaves, tomentose beneatii, and by the long 
pedicels ; it is a native of Asia. 

In the descriptions of the species and its 
varieties, statements of habitat were made; 
the.?e need to be amplified. P. Maliis has been 
known as a wild plant in temperate Europe 
and Asia throughout historic times, but un- 
questionably its fruits were used long before 
history began, and, no doubt also, the plants 
were distributed by the prehistoric dwellers 
in the two continents. Students of the origin 
of cultivated plants now believe the species 
to be indigenous in the northwestern Himalayas, 
where there are vast forests of wild apples 
ascending the mountains to a height of nine 
to ten thousand feet in regions to which man 
could hardly have introduced the plant. 

The apple has been cultivated from remote 
times in India, Cashmere, and northern China. 
Carbonized apples are found in the ancient 
lake habitations of Switzerland, showing that 
they mu.st have been known in Europe by pre- 
historic peoples. The apple is mentioned by 
the earliest ^Titers on agriculture in China, 
India, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, and 
England. It was introduced by the first col- 
onists in all temperate parts of the New World. 
It is now the most valuable fnut-plant of the 
temperate regions of the world, and by se- 
lection and hybridization several thousand 
varieties have been obtained. The apple is 
cultivated in all agricultural regions of the 
United States excepting in subtropical parts of 
the Gulf states and California. 



CR.tB-APPLES 

There seems to be little question that the 
crab-apples of most common cultivation, rep- 
resented by such varieties as Martha, Hyslop, 
and Transcendent, are hybrids between two 
species, P. baccata and P. Malus, though these 
hybrids are often put in a separate species, 
P. prunijolia. The Siberian crabs, of which 
several named varieties are cultivated, un- 
doubtedly belong to a distinct species now to 
be described. 

2. Pi/rus baccata, Linn. Siberian Crab. Plant a 
small round-headed tree attaining a height of 30-40 feet, 
with a trunk 10-12 inches in diameter, which divides 
into many rather slender branches forming a compact 
head ; vigorous, hardy and productive ; wood hard and 
tough, bark much less rough and tree smoother in all of 
its parts than in the common apple. Leaves ovate, ovate- 
lanceolate or ovate-acuminate, thin, glabrous, bright 
green: petioles slender; margins finely and evenly 
serrate. Flowers large, white, very fragrant, handsome ; 
appearing with the leaves ; pedicels very slender, green- 
ish ; style usually longer than the stamens, glabrous or 
lightly pubescent; caiyx-lol)es long, narrow acuminate; 
calyx falling away before maturity. Fruit from %•! 
inch in diameter, yellow or red ; borne on lung, hard 
slender stems ; basin shallow or none, often wrinkled 
or having mammiform protuberances ; flesh yellow, very 
firm, sul)acid, astringent, translucent. Seeds small, 
short, wide, obtuse, dark brown. 

There are several botanical forms of P. bac- 
cata, but to which of these the cultivated crab- 
apples belong is a mooted question. No doubt 
there are a number of natural hybrids, as there 
certainly are of artificial ones. Hybrid and 
pure-bred crab-apples, cultivated for their 
fruits, number two score or more, and probably 
a much greater number of named varieties, 
the world over, are grown as named ornamen- 
tals. 

The crab-apple probably came originally 
from Siberia, northern China, and Manchuria, 
but has been cultivated for its fruit and flowers 
in China and Japan from time immemorial. 
The Chinese and Japanese have developed 
many forms differing in plant, fruit, and 
flower, more particularly in the flowers, these 
being of many colors, various sizes, and in all 
degrees of doubling. The Siberian crab-apple 
is the hardiest of the tree-fruits, grows with 
great rapidity, thrives in many soils, and 
bears year after year with increasing abun- 
dance. 

This species was early introduced into Eu- 
rope, although little grown until the last cen- 
tury for its fruit. While it may have come 
earlier as an ornamental, it seems not to be 
mentioned as a fruit-tree in America until 
toward the close of the eighteenth century, and 
since nurserymen did not list crab-apples until 
toward the middle of the nineteenth century, 
this fruit must be looked on as comparatively 
a newcomer. 

But few of the cultivated crabs of American 
orchards are pure-bred to the species, most of 
them being hybrids with P. Mahts. These 
hybrid crabs are most valuable additions to 
the apple-flora of the whole countiy, and, 
because of great hardiness, promise much for 
cold regions. The species does not thrive as 
well as might be wished in southern apple re- 



10 



THE PEAR 



THE PEAR 



gions, where its usefulness is also much cur- 
tailed by its susceptibility to pear-blight. 
Crab-apple trees are used in cold climates as 
stocks upon which to graft the common apple, 
for which purpose they are in most respects 
very desirable. 

Some twenty or more oriental flowering 
crab-apples are listed in the botanies, several 
of which produce edible fruit, and two of 
which, P. -prunijolia, Willd. and P. Sieboldii, 
Regel, have been more or less cultivated for 
their fruits and used as stocks for the common 
apple in China and Japan. Some of these 
Asiatic crab-apples are promismg, also, for 
hybridization with the common apple and the 
Siberian crab. 

Five types of native crab-apples grow in 
North America. None of these has sufficient 
merit to recommend it to poraologists in 
regions where the common apple grows, but 
one, the Soulard crab, P. Soulardii, Bailey, 
probably a natural hybrid between P. Maliis 
and P. ioensis is grown in the upper Missis- 
sippi Valley where only trees of great hardiness 
withstand the cold. A typical variety of this 
species is described as the Soulard crab by 
botanists. There is some promise of further 
amalgamation of the common apple and the 
native crab-apple to secure greater hardiness 
of tree and longer keeping qualities in the 
fruit. 



The innumerable varieties of pears, more 
than 4000, almost all come from a single 
species, P. communis. A second species, P. 
serotina, the Chinese Sand pear, furnishes per- 
haps a score of named sorts with show^ fruits 
which keep well, but are scarcely edible un- 
cooked and of verj' indifferent quality in 
culinaiy preparations. This species, however, 
has added much to the pear flora of the world; 
for, when hybridized with the common pear, 
a plant is produced of remarkable vigor, clean 
in growth, productive, hardy, and almost im- 
mune to the dreaded pear-blight, which yields 
a fruit suitable for culinary purposes and 
edible out of hand, if properly ripened. The 
well-known Kieffer is typical of these hybrids. 
A third species, P. nivalis, the Snow pear, is 
grown sparingly in parts of Europe for the 
making of pear cider, but is not of sufficient 
importance to warrant discussion in a pom- 
ological text. 

3. Pyrus communis, Linn. Common Pear. A vig- 
orous, upright tree attaining a heiglit of 80 feet and 
a diameter of 4 feet, usually with an oblong or pyramidal 
and rather compact top ; bark on old trees rough with 
rather large persistent scales. Leaves 2-4 inches long, 
1-2 inches wide, oblong-ovate, thin, hard and veiny ; 
upper surface dark green, glabrous ; lower surface light 
green, glabrous ; apex acuminate ; margin, crenate- 
serrate or entire, never setose-serrate ; petiole 1 to 2 
inches long, becoming glabrous. Flowers 1-2 inches 
across, white, appearing with the leaves, borne in 4-12 
umbel-like clusters on slender pedicels ; calyx persistent 
or rarely deciduous ; stamens 15-20. Fruit exceedingly 
variable under cultivation, usually pvTiform, sometimes 
round-conic, turbinate or occasionally round-oblate ; 
green, yellow, red or russet, or combinations of these 
colors : flesh of fruits ripening on the tree with few 



or many grit-cells. Seeds 1-3 in a cell, sometimes 
abortive or wanting, large, brown or brownish, often 
tufted at the tips. 

Botanists describe several botanical varieties, 
and some would separate from the species a 
number of garden forms. In the present state 
of botanical knowledge of the species, however, 
the pomologist may best classify pomological 
varieties under the type species. 

Pyrus communis now grows naturally in all 
but the coldest and warmest parts of Europe 
and Asia. It probably came originally from 
the Caucasian countries and northern Persia, 
where, in elevated regions, there are now for- 
ests of wild pears; or, possibly, the original 
center of distribution was in Cashmere and the 
northwestern Himalayas where there are also 
pear forests. The tree grows spontaneously 
as an escape from orchards in nearly all re- 
gions where the pear is generally cultivated, 
but sparingly in North America, because kept 
down by pear-blight. 

The common pear has been cultivated from 
time immemorial. The ancient Greeks had 
several varieties; Pliny, the Roman naturalist, 
describes forty-one varieties. The pear is men- 
tioned in France, Germany and Great Britain 
almost with the first written records of agri- 
culture, and it came to America with the 
earliest permanent settlers in the northern 
states. The French brought the pear to Can- 
ada and Michigan, and pear-trees said to be 
two hundred years old are yet standing about 
mission sites of the French along the St. 
Lawrence and the Great Lakes to Detroit, 
Michigan. The pear is now grown in the 
temperate regions of the whole civilized world, 
not so commonly planted as the apple only 
because less easily managed in the orchard, 
less adaptable to soils and climates, and more 
susceptible to pests, especially the pear-blight, 
which takes prodigious toll from this fruit in 
the pear-regions of the New World. 

In North America, pears thrive particularly 
well only in the states north of Marj'land and 
west to Wisconsin and in the Pacific states. 
The climate of the southern states is uncon- 
genial to this fruit, being too hot, while that 
of the Mississippi Valley and Great Plains is 
too hot in the summer and too cold in the 
winter. Blight, also, is more virulent in these 
regions than in those first named, and makes 
pear-culture precarious even where climate 
favors. California and New York are the lead- 
ing pear-growing states, in both of which re- 
gions the pear industry is handicapped by 
blight. 

Pear-growing began in America as an avoca- 
tion for men of means, leisure, and taste. Its 
period of greatest activity began early in the 
nineteenth century and passed before the close 
of the century, during most of which time 
the pear was the center of interest in American 
fruit circles. In the first half of the last cen- 
tury many new varieties of pears were intro- 
duced from Europe, and a considerable number 
originated on this side of the Atlantic. In 
1859, T. W. Field, in his Pear Culture, gave a 



THE PEAR 



THE QUINCE 



11 



list of 854 pears, of which 686 originated in 
Europe and 168 in America. The great Ameri- 
can pomologists of the nineteenth century — 
Manning, the Downings, Wilder, Berckmans, 
Hovey, Barry, and Thomas — were more inter- 
ested in the pear than in any other fruit. 

For many years past, however, the pear, in 
comparison with the apple, peach, plum, or 
cherrj', has been losing in popularity. There 
are now few good collections in the country ; 
nurserymen list fewer and fewer varieties ; the 
pear is now less and less used as a dessert fniit, 
the product being largely used in canning. 
Pear-culture is failing in America for the 
reasons that the pear is not well adapted to 
the American climate; that cultural and com- 
mercial conditions make it more difficult to 
grow than other fruits ; and that the formidable 
disease, blight, remains unchecked by any of 
the remedies now in use. 

Owing to the decline in pear-growing, many 
of the varieties described in this text cannot now 
be purchased from nurserj-men. All have been 
cultivated on this contment, however, and 
many old trees of all varieties still exist. Some, 
it is to be hoped, will be reintroduced for 
home orchards, if not for commercial planta- 
tions. 

4. Pyrus serotina, Rehd. Tree vigorous, upright, 
attaining a height of 20-50 feet, the branchlets becoming 
glabrous. Leaves ovate-oblong, sometimes ovate, 3-5 
inches long, rounded at the base, lottg acuminate, 
fiharply setose-serrate ; lower surface cobwebby but be- 
coming glabrous. Flowers white, borne in 6-9-flowered 
umbellate-racemose clusters ; calyx-lobes long-acuminate, 
glandulose denticulate ; petals oval, short-clawed ; stamens 
about 20 ; styles 4 or 5, glabrous. Fruit subglobose, 
russet-brown ; stalk slender ; calyx deciduous. 

Pomologists are interested in the type 
species, which comes from central and western 
China, only as a possible source of blight- 
resistant stocks for varieties of the common 
pear. Stocks from the species were introduced 
some years ago on the Pacific slope, but have 
proved unsatisfactorj- because diflicult to bud, 
very susceptible to Icaf-blight, and not im- 
mune to pear-blight. Rehder, an authority on 
Pyrus, gives two botanical varieties, one of 
which is most important to pomologists, having 
given, as a hj'brid with the common pear, a 
new and very distinct type of pear. This 
variety is described as follows: 

Var. culta, Rehd. Sand Pear. Japanese Pear. Chi- 
nese Pear. Tree strong and rapid in growth, with 
strong thick shoots. Leaves very large, often 6 inches 
long and 3-4 inclies broad, broadly ovate and long- 
pointed, very dark green ; margins setose-serrate, the 
teeth very sharp, almost bristle-like. Flowers very large, 
appearing somewhat in ad\ance of the foliage. Fruit 
apple-shaped or pyriform, more or less rough, with a 
well-marked cavity about the stem ; calyx usually de- 
ciduous ; flesh tough, gritty and poor in 'flavor. 

The sand pear differs from the type in its 
larger and differently shaped fruits and much 
larger, greener leaves. It comes from Japan, 
where it must have been early introduced from 
China, and where it is now the most common 
fniit-tree with the exception of the persimmon. 
There are several pomological varieties in 
Japan, although they differ less from each 



other than varieties of the European pear. 
The fruits are little liked by those who have 
the common pear, although they are attractive 
in appearance, long keepers, and not unpalat- 
able in some culinary preparations. Several 
Japanese pears have been introduced into 
America, and their apple-like fruits are not 
uncommon, being readily distinguished from 
apples by their deciduous calyces, rough 
skins, long stems, gritty flesh, and potato-like 
flavor. 

These Japanese pears hybridize freely with 
the common pear, and several valuable hybrids 
are now widely and commonly grown in North 
America, Kieffer. Le Conte, and Garber, in 
the order named, being the best known. These 
hybrids are much stronger in growth, more 
blight-resistant, more productive, and more 
rapid in growth than the common pear; the 
fruits are more pyriform and of much better 
flavor than those of the oriental parent; the 
calyx in the hybrid is sometimes persistent 
and sometimes deciduous. They do not make 
good stocks and intergraft but poorly with 
the common pear. Of all pear-trees, these are 
handsomest in growth, making excellent orna- 
mental plants. 

Several other oriental pears are being tested 
in the United States as stocks for named varie- 
ties of the common pear. Seedlings of the 
common pear have been used in the past as 
stocks, but these are susceptible to blight, lack 
in vigor, and the seedlings are not uniform. 
Search is being made for an oriental pear that 
does not have these defects and those of 
European stocks. Some of the species intro- 
duced from China for stocks are cultivated in 
their native country for their fruits, and it 
may be expected that hybrids between these 
and the common pear wUl give new types of 
this fruit. 

THE QUINCE 

The common quince belongs to the genus 
Cydonia, which differs from Pyrus chiefly in 
the fruits. Thus, the pomes of Cydonia are 
harder than those of Pyrus; the quince has a 
woolly surface while that of the apple and 
pear is smooth; the sepals at the apex of the 
quince are more leaf-like than those of the 
apple and pear; the five carpels of the quince 
contain many seeds, those of species of Pyrus 
but few; the testa of quince seeds abounds 
in a gum having mucilaginous and demulcent 
properties, while there is little or no gum in 
seeds of the apple and pear; the stem of the 
quince is so short as to appear to be wanting, 
while the stem of the apple and pear is dis- 
tinct and often long. Cydonia contains only 
the species now to be described. 

Cydonia ohlonga, Mill. Common Quince. Small trees 
or shrubs 15-20 feet in height, with slender unarmed 
branches. Leaves alternate, oblong-oval, entire, pubescent 
beneath, petioled, stipulate, 2-4 inches long. Flowers 
white or tinged with pink, large, 2 inches in diameter, 
showy, terminal on short leafy branchlets ; petals 5 ; 
stamens numerous ; styles 5, free : ovary with 5 cells 
each containing many seeds. Fruit large, round or pear- 
shaped, yellow, woolly, with hard yellow flesh which 
becomes pink after cooking. 



12 



THE JAPANESE QUINCE 



THE JUNEBERRY 



The Japanese quince, now put in the genus 
Chaenomeles, was long induded in Cydonia. 
It is easily distinguished by the serrate or 
crenate papery leaves and styles united at 
the base. The species has been divided into 
several botanical varieties, but only the type 
is of interest to pomologists. 

The quince is of but secondary importance 
in fruit-growing, since it is only sparingly used 
for culinary purposes. The fruit deserves, how- 
ever, much more attention than is given it in 
domestic economy, for it is second to no other 
for marmalades, jellies, and conserves of all 
kinds, and is much used for flavoring prepara- 
tions of apples and pears. There are but few 
varieties and there seems to be little or no 
interest in increasing the number, although 
the quince offers great possibilities in hybrid- 
ization within the species and with the Japanese 
quince, while interesting hybrids between the 
quince and the pear are recorded. Quince 
stocks are much used whereon to graft the 
pear, to dwarf the tree and increase the size 
of the fruit and hasten its bearing. 

The quince is a native ef the Mediterranean 
and Caucasus regions, and in ancient times 
grew abundantly in Crete, deriving from 
Cydon in that country the name Cydonia. 
From ancient Greece, it was taken to Rome 
before the Christian era, for the writers of 
the first century mention it as if it were a 
common fruit. The Romans knew the quince 
as the cotonca, a name to be found in old 
English as well as in Latin. Spreading from 
Italy, it was soon cultivated, as agriculture 
advanced step by step, throughout the mild 
climates of Europe. In 812, its culture was 
enjoined by Charlemagne in France under the 
name coing. Chaucer speaks of the quince in 
the latter part of the fourteenth century in 
England, calling it coine from the French. 
Early Spanish, English, French, and Dutch 
settlers brought the quince to America. 

THE JAPANESE QUINCE 

Four species of Chsenomeles are grown for 
their handsome flowers, and one, C. lagenaria, 
is of some value also for its fruit and offers a 
good field for the plant-breeder. Through 
hybridization and selection, it is possible that 
other species of the genus might be made to 
yield fruits of value. 

Chanomeles lagenaria, Koid. Japanese Quince. Shrub 
3-6 feet high, with spreading, spiny branches. Leaves 
sub-persistent or deciduous, alternate, oblong-ovate, 
glossy above, papery, IVi-S inches long. Flowers in 
clusters of 2-6, red or reddish, 1V4-2 inches across; 
calyx-lobes entire or serrate ; petals 5 ; stamens nu- 
merous ; styles 5, united at the base. Fruit 5-celled, 
each cell with many seeds ; globular or ovoid ; yellowish- 
green ; stem lacking. 

There are many ornamental forms, most of 
which bear quinces esteemed for jellies, con- 
serves, and other culinary purposes. The dark, 
green fruits are very hard, but contain a rich, 
aromatic, lemon-like juice which makes a jelly 
of very pleasing flavor. The fruits are further 
characterized by a strong, distinctive odor, to 



most people very pleasant, which it imparts to 
other fruits when cooked with them. The 
species is a native of China and Japan, but 
has long been cultivated in Europe and Amer- 
ica. 

THE JUNEBERRY 

Under the names juneberry, shad-bush, 
service-berry, sugar-pear, and grape-pear, or 
their equivalents in other languages, the fruits 
of some twenty-five or thirty species of 
Amelanchier are used for food in all parts of 
the North Temperate Zone. While very dis- 
tinct in aspect of tree and fruit, Amelanchier 
and Pyrus have few structural differences, the 
two genera being separated chiefly by reason 
of the fact that the compound ovary in 
Amelanchier has partial divisions which are 




3. Juneberry. (X%) 

lacking in the ovary of Pyrus. The species 
are so closely related, with numerous spontane- 
ous hybrids, — from which, indeed, they are 
hardly to be distinguished — that it serves the 
uses of pomologists to characterize the genus 
alone, without giving detailed descriptions of 
the several species which have pomological 
possibilities. (Fig. 3.) 

Amelanchier. Shrubs or small trees, unarmed. Leaves 
simple, alternate, petioled, serrate. Flowers white, 
racemose or rarely solitary ; calyx 5-cleft, persistent, the 
tube campanulate and adnate to the ovary ; petals 5, 
obovate, oblong or rarely linear ; stamens numerous, 
short ; styles .5, united below ; ovary inferior, 5-celled, 
each cell with two ovules ; cells with a projection grow- 
ing from the back forming a false partition. Fruit an 
edible berry-like pome with a cavity at the top ; sweet 
and juicy ; ripening in early 



The species of interest to fruit-growers are 
all natives of temperate North America. The 
product of one or another of them plays an 
important part in the diet of North American 
Indians, who make use of the berries both 
fresh and dried. So, also, juneberries have 
been a source of food supply to explorers, pros- 
pectors, and pioneers, who testify to their 
value as pleasing dessert fruits. Juneberries 
are as yet little used where they must compete 
with other fruits, although they have many 
qualities to commend them for domestication. 

The fruit of the juneberry is a small pome 



THE MEDLAR 



THE MEDLAR 



or apple, usually with five cells, each more or 
less completely divided into two parts so that 
there appear to be ten cells. The pomes of 
some species are no larger than a pea, while 
in the best strains of other species they attain 
the size of a small crab-apple. They vary in 
color from dark red to a purplish-blue or black 
and all have more or less bloom. The several 
juneberries are exceedingly variable in their 
fruits, suggesting high potentialities in the 
domestication of the best of the wild species. 
They differ much in the character of the plants, 
some species being dwarf shrubs with many 
stems, while others are small trees with 
straight, slender trunks, the largest of which 
attain a height of forty feet and a diameter 
of eight or ten inches. All are hardy, and at 
least two of them give promise of making most 
desirable domesticated plants in regions too 
cold for any, or but few, other fruits. June- 
berries thrive under the same care as that 
given the apple or pear. The genus shows 
wide adaptation to soils and moisture condi- 
tions; in temperate regions there are few lo- 
calities where other fruits are grown in which 
some one or several of the juneberries would 
not thrive. 

Strams of several species have been brought 
under cultivation, some of which have been 
named and spariniily disseminated by nursery- 
men. So far, all of the cultivated varieties 
have come from the bush-like species, most 
of them from A. alnijolia. One of the 
first named sorts to be sent out was Success, 
a dwarf strain probably of A. canadensis, in- 
troduced by H. E. Van Deman, then of Kansas, 
about 1878; this variety seems to be no longer 
cultivated. Severd western nurserymen now 
offer strains of A. alnijolia under the names 
Improved Dwarf Juneborry, Dwarf Mountain 
Junebeiry, and Western Huckleberry. These 
named varieties aie selected strains from wild 
plants, no one as yet having set out to improve 
juneberries. Then! are many distinct forms in 
the wild, some of them supposed to be natural 
hybrids, offering opportunities for selection in 
the amelioration of the species for the garden. 
There is no reason to believe that the species 
will not hybridize as freely as other members 
of the rose family. Juneberries are readily 
propagated from seeds and no doubt all would 
yield to budding and grafting. They are said 
to be easily budded on the hawthorn. At 
present, suckers are used in propagating the 
species. 

THE MEDMR 

The medlar, or mespil, is a small, handsome 
tree belonging to the genus Mespilus which 
bears edible fruits. The genus is closely re- 
lated to Crataegus and Pyrus. It is separated 
from Crataegus by its large flowers, which are 
borne singly and have leaf-like sepals, and by 
its stemless fruits. It differs from Pyrus, with 
which it is sometimes classed, in bearing its 
flowers singly on leafy shoots of the current 
year's growth ; in having an open-topped, over- 
growing receptacle which does not cover the 



ovaries; and in its apparently stemless fruits. 
There is but one species. 

Mespilus ffermanica, Linn. Medlar. Mespilus. Plant 
a small tree attaining a height of 2.5 feet, sometimes 
shrub-like, the wild plants thorny, cultivated varieties 
thornless. Leaves simple, nearly sessile, oblong-lance- 
olate or oblong, pul>escent, serrate. Flowers largo and 
sessile on short, leafy shoots, white or pinit, pubescent 
outside ; styles 5, glabrous and distinct. Fruit a round- 
ish or top-sliaped pome with the 5 leaf-lilte sepals 
persistent ; receptacle hollowed as in the apple and 
pear, but not completely inclosing the carpels ; the 5 
carpels having a hard, bony wall protecting the single 
seed within. 

At least two botanical varieties are named, 
one a large-fruited form, and the other seedless, 
both of which, from the descriptions given, 
might well be considered pomological varieties. 
The medlar is a native of Europe, being found 
wild in many parts of central and southern 
Europe and even in England, where, however, 
it is probably an escape from cultivation. It 
is thought to be indigenous to south-central 




4. Dutch Medlar. (XVo) 

Europe eastward to the Caucasus. The medlar 
is said to hybridize with the hawthorns. 

The medlar, it seems, held a much higher 
place among fruits in the Middle Ages than 
now. It was used as a preserve and to season 
meats. The fruit was the foundation of the 
famous preserve known in Orleans, France, as 
cotignac, which was always offered a French 
sovereign when he entered the town, and which 
was the first present made to Joan of Arc when 
she led her troops into that city. The fruit 
is somewhat common in the markets of 
France, vevy common in Germany, and some- 
times is to be found on fruit-stalls in England. 
Medlars are to be seen in many door-yard 
plantations in the South Atlantic and Gulf 
states in the United States, but are seldom 
seen northward, although they are hardy as 
far north as Geneva, New York. In parts of 
Florida, the medlar is very common, being 
used as a hedge-plant as well as a fruit-plant, 
and is frequently found in a semi-wild state. 

When plants or seeds were first brought to 
America is not known; American pomologies 
and horticultural magazines give but scant and 
fragmentary information on the subject. It 
seems certain, however, that the plant has 



14 



THE MEDLAR 



been known in the South, especially about 
New Orleans, for two centuries at least, prob- 
ably brought there from France by French 
Jesuits. 

The tree is small but handsome; often, es- 
pecially in the North, it is a much-branched, 
twiggy shrlib. In central New York it bears 
showy white blossoms late in May or early in 
June, when the soft, luxuriant foliage is well 
out. The roundish or top-shaped fruit is red- 
dish-brown with firm, austere flesh which is 
unpalatable until mellowed and sweetened bv 
frost or decay. After the period of decay 
called m England bteiting, the fruit has a rich 
subacid flavor much prized by those accus- 
tomed to It. 

Medlar stocks may be grown from seed- or 
the varieties may be budded or grafted on 'the 



THE MEDLAR 

paar, quince, or thorn. Usually the seeds will 
not grow the first year, but require stratifica- 
tion through this period. Three varieties are 
grown in England, compiled descriptions of 
which are herewith given. 

DUTCH. Tree weeping, very handsome and much 
used as an ornamental. Leaves large, soft, lu-xuriant. 
Mowers very large and showy. Fruit large, 2V, inches 
in diameter ripening in October, edible before Christmas : 
b^ause''of1he'"tre'e'! *^' *"" *' '""'' generally grown 

ROYAL. Tree more upright, with smaller leaves than 
the former ; more productive. Fruit smaller and scarcely 
as good as that of Dutch. 

NOTTINGHAM. Tree of upright growth, fewer 
blanches and sparser foliage than in the two former. 
Fruit smaller, brisker and better flavored, being the best 
«Ll iL.T'l"^-.., Nottingham is sometimes called the 
K rll'ieH Ih T'^H '?. d.stinguish it from Dutch which 
IS called the large-fruited or monstrous. 



CHAPTER III 
VARIETIES OF APPLES 



Probably not less than 2500 apples have been 
named or described in America. Possibly twice 
as many more names have appeared in the 
horticultural literature of the world. Com- 
mercial fruit-growing demands few varieties, 
and with the change from the growing of fruit 
for personal use and pleasure to the commer- 
cial orcharding which is taking place in 
America, the number of apples under culti- 
vation annually grows less, until it is doubtful 
whether as many as 300 names appear in 
current literature; in fact, a count of varieties 
offered by nurserymen in 1920 shows only 
about 200, not a few of which are recent intro- 
ductions that ought not to be considered es- 
tablished sorts. In this text, only standard 
varieties are described — those grown exten- 
sively for home or market at the present time; 
those that are generally on probation among 
fruit-growers or experiment stations; and a 
few old sorts that have historical value or are 
still to be found in old orchards. All full 
descriptions were made at the Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York, while the ab- 
breviated ones have been compiled. 




5. Akin. (XVa) 

AKIN. Fig. 5, Akin Red. Akin is a hand- 
some dark red, late winter-apple of medium size 
and very good quality. It is adapted to south- 
ern regions, though the fruits usually mature as 
far north as central New York. It succeeds 
best in the Middle West and on rich warm 
soils. Akin is especially adapted to the needs 
of the fancy fruit trade. The variety origi- 
nated from seed planted near Lawrenceville, 
Illinois, in 1831 by W. J. Akm, 

Tree upright-spreading, dense, vigorous ; branches long, 
stout. Leaves large, broad. Fruit medium, round-ob- 
late, often irregular, slightly ribbed, sides Eometimes 
unequal ; stem long, slender ; cavity obtuse, broad, shal- 
low, often distinctly furrowed and corrugated ; skin 
tough, smooth, yellow, blushed and striped with bright 
deep red, in well-colored specimens almost completely 
red : dots small, white ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens 



median ; core abaxile, open or partly closed ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels elliptical, emarginate ; seeds dark 
brown, long, narrow, acute, numerous ; flesh yellow, crisp, 
coarse, tender, very juicy, subacid, aromatic ; good to 
verj' good : January to June. 

ALBEMARLE. See Green Newtown. 




15 



6. Alexander. (XVa) 

ALEXANDER. Fig. 6. Aporta. Alexan- 
der has many merits but .some faults. Merits of 
the trees are vigor, hardiness, productiveness, 
earliness and regularity of bearing; of the fruits, 
large size and handsome appearance. The chief 
fault of the tree is susceptibility to blight. 
The apples fail in being coarse in texture and 
so poor in quality as to be suitable only for 
culinarj' purposes; in ripening unevenly and 
so requiring several pickings; in dropping 
prematurely; and in not keeping well in either 
common or cold storage. The variety is much 
used as a filler in some apple regions, and as a 
permanent tree where hardiness is a determi- 
nant. Its cultivation is everywhere common 
in northern apple regions. Alexander was in- 
troduced into England in 1817; when into 
America is not known. 

Tree large, vigorous, with long stout branches, upright- 
spreading, open, somewhat drooping. Fruit large, uni- 
form in size and shape, round-conic to oblate-conic, reg- 
ular or approaching broadly angular, symmetrical ; stem 
short, thick ; cavity acute, deep, broad, symmetrical, oc- 
casionally lipped, russeted, often with broad, conspicu- 
ous outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, open ; lobes 
short, narrow, acute ; basin small, deep, narrow, abrupt, 
smooth, sj-mnietrical ; skin thick, tough, smooth, glossy, 
waxen, pale yellow deepening to orange-yellow in tlie 
sun, overspread with lively red or striped and splashed 
with carmine ; dots inconspicuous, scattering ; prevailing 
effect red or striped ; calyx-tube variable, long, wide, 
conical ; stamens median ; core small, usually axile ; 
cells closed or slightly open ; core-lines clasping : carpels 
elliptical, emarginate ; seeds wide, short, plump, obtuse ; 
flesli faint yeUow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild 
subacid ; fair to good ; September to November. 



16 



ANISIM 



BAILEY SWEET 



ANISIM. According to N. E. Hansen, in 
charge of pomology at the South Dakota Ex- 
periment Station, Anisim is a most vahiable 
apple in the northern states of the Great Plains. 
It seems not to be grown elsewhere in the 
United States. The variety is a Russian sort 
introduced into Canada about 1885. The fol- 
lowing is the description given by Hansen: 

"Tree a strong grower in the nursery and orchard and 
a prodigious bearer ; young trees upriglit, spreading 
with age ; limbs long, slender with a very strong shoul- 
der ; leaves narrow, pointed, dark green. The beautiful 
color of the fruit attracts favorable attention. Fruit 
below medium, roundish-conical, slightly angular ; sur- 
face greenish-yellow, covered almost wholly with a beau- 
tiful dark crimson, with heavy blue bloom ; dots white, 
minute ; cavity regular, acute, usually slightly russeted ; 
stem medium ; basin narrow, very shallow, corrugated, 
sometimes fiat ; calyx closed. Core closed, clasping ; tube 
short, broad; stamens median; flesh greenish- white, with 
green veins, good; early winter." 

ARCTIC. Arctic, as the name implies, is an 
apple for cold climates, much hardier than 
Baldwin or Northern Spy, but not so hardy as 
several of the Russian apples. The trees are 
vigorous, healthy, and usually productive; but 
the fruit, while pleasing in appearance, is far 
from good in quality. Arctic originated as a 
seedling on the farm of John H. Esseltyne, 
Cape Vincent, New York, about 1862. 

Tree a moderate grower, spreading and open, with 
long, stout branches. Leaves large, dark green, broad 
and thick. Fruit large, oblate, sometimes round-conic, 
often faintly ribbed, uniform in size and shape ; stem 
short and thick ; cavity shallow, broad, usually sym- 
metrical or furrowed and having outspreading rays of 
red or green-russct ; calyx large, segments broad, ob- 
tuse, closed ; basin abrupt, wide and deep, often com- 
pressed or furrowed and corrugated : skin smooth, slightly 
roughened by light russet or white dots, deep yellow 
almost wholly covered with bright red obscuring stripes 
of deeper red ; calyx-tube short, conical ; stamens me- 
dian ; core medium, axile ; cells closed or partly open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly round to obcordate, 
emarginate, tufted ; seeds often abortive, large, flat, ob- 
tuse, sometimes tufted, dark ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
crisp, juicy, mild subacid ; good in quality ; October to 
February. 

ARKANSAS. Mammoth Black Tung. Ar- 
kansas Black. Arkansas is a large, dull, deep 
red, striped, late-keeping winter-apple of good 
quality, much grown in the South and South- 
west. In the North the fruits are usually small, 
poorly colored, and otherwise undeveloped. 
North and South, the trees are unproductive. 
Arkansas was grown from a seed planted in 
1833 near Rhea Mills, Arkansas. It resembles 
Winesap, of which it may be a seedling, and 
Paragon, to which it is similar. It is often con- 
fused with Arkansas Black because of similarity 
in name. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading ; branches large, 
crooked, stout, open. Fruit large, uniform in size, round 
to conic, sometimes oblate, broadly ribbed, uniform in 
shape ; stem long or short, stout ; cavity acute, wide, 
medium in depth, green, often much russeted, sometimes 
indistinctly furrowed ; calyx small, closed ; basin abrupt, 
wide, deep, broadly furrowed or wavy; skin smooth, dull 
green, often becoming deep yellow, overspread with a 
dull deep red, obscurely striped with darker red ; dots 
small, russet, inconspicuous ; calyx-tube conical ; sta- 
mens median ; core axile. closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly ovate, deeply emarginate, tufted ; seeds 
few, variable, long, narrow, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, 
very firm, fine-grained, tender, juicy, subacid, crisp ; 
good ; December to May. 



ARKANSAS BLACK. Arkansas Black 
Twig. Arkansas Black is a beautiful dark red, 
late-keeping apple of very good quality. Un- 
fortunately, the trees are so unproductive as to 
make the variety hardly worth planting, even 
for home use. It is profitably grown only in the 
South and Southwest. The variety originated 
in Benton County, Arkansas, about 1870. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open ; branches 
long, slender. Fruit medium or rarely large, uniform 
in size and shape, nearly round ; cavity acute, small, 
sometimes lipped, partly russeted ; calyx small, closed ; 
basin obtuse, sliallow, slightly furrowed, faintly cor- 
rugated ; skin smooth, waxy, yellow covered with a 
lively red deepening to almost black on the exposed side ; 
dots small, inconspicuous ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens 
marginal ; core small, abaxile, closed or partly open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels concave, roundish, emar- 
ginate ; seeds plump, short, obtuse, dark brown ; flesh 
yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, juicy, sprightly subacid; 
good to very good ; December to April or later. 

BABBITT. Weslern Baldwin. If the fmit 
were not quite so acid, and the trees were more 
productive and more regular in bearing, Bab- 
bitt would be rated as a valuable variety. The 
apples are large and often strikingly handsome, 
while the trees are hardy, healthy, vigorous, 
and productive. The variety is of value as 
a culinary fruit, since the apples retain their 
sprightly subacid flavor throughout late win- 
ter. It is grown most largely in the Mississippi 
Valley. Babbitt is a seedling of Baldwin grown 
bv C. W. Babbitt, Woodford County, Illinois, 
about 1845. 

Tree very vigorous, spreading, open ; branches stout, 
often crooked. Leaves large, broad, dark green, thick. 
Fruit large, round-oblate, angular and irregular ; stem 
short ; cavity obtuse to acute, shallow, broad, russeted ; 
calyx closed ; basin abrupt, deep, furrowed, corrugated ; 
skin bright, pale yellow with mottled red cheek, striped 
with briglit carmine ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens me- 
dian ; core small, axile, closed ; core-lines clasping ; car- 
pels broad, round, truncate ; seeds dark brown, small ; 
flesh yellow, fine-grained, crisp, juicy, sprightly sub- 
acid ; good to ^■e^y good ; November to May. 

BAILEY SWEET. Howard's Sweet. De- 
spite man}' faults, Bailey Sweet is largely grown 
in many parts of America because of its rich, 
sweet fruits — agreeable to all who like sweet 
apples. The trees lack vigor, health, and hardi- 
ness, — defects offset somewhat by productive- 
ness and regularity in bearing. The fruits are 
susceptible to the scab fungus, do not keep 
well, are often malformed, and are not uniform 
in size. The origin of the variety is not known, 
further than that it was disseminated from 
Perry, New York. The first description was 
published by Thomas in 1849. 

Tree upright-spreading, open ; branches slender. Leaves 
large. Fruit large, round-conic, or oblate, ribbed ob- 
scurely, symmetrical, sides elliptical, uniform in size 
and shape ; stem short ; cavity acute, deep, furrowed, 
sometimes with sides compressed or lipped, often with 
thin golden-brown russet ; calyx closed, small with phort 
olituse lobes ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, furrowed 
or corrugated, often with mammiform protuberances ; 
skin tender, smooth, clear bright yellow covered with 
deep red, mottled or striped with darker red, often with 
irregularly netted markings and dots ; calyx-tube funnel- 
shape, wide limb ; stamens median ; core axile, closed ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels elliptic, emarginate ; seeds 
large, long, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, ten- 
der, juicy, sweet, agreeable in flavor ; very good in 
quality ; October to January or later. 



BALDWIN 



BELMONT 



17 



BALDWIN. Fig. 7. Pecker. Steele's Red 
Winter. Woodpecker. Baldwin is the standard 
winter apple of eastern America, and is more 
largely grown than any other variety of this 
fruit on the continent. It takes its high rank 
from several characters, chief of which is adap- 
tability to a great diversity of soils and cli- 
mates. Other good qualities are; the fruits 
keep long ; are uniformly large ; when well 
grown, are attractive in color; the quality, 
while not of the best, is good ; and the apples, 
because of firm texture and thick skin, stand 
handling and shipping well; this fact makes it 
the standard variety for both home and foreign 
markets. The trees are vigorous, long-lived, 
healthy, and remarkably productive, individual 
trees not infrequently bearing twenty barrels of 
apples, and the crop is usually uniform. The 
trees are faulty in bearing biennially, in falling 
a little below the average of the species in 




7. Baldwin. (XVa) 

hardiness, and in being susceptible in both fruit 
and foliage to the apple-scab fungus. Baldwin 
originated about 1740 as a chance seedling on 
the farm of John Ball, Wilmington, Massachu- 
setts. 

Tree large, very vigorous, upright-spreading ; branches 
stout. Leaves large. Fruit large, round-conic to round- 
oblong, often faintly ribbed or irregular, uniform in 
shape ; stem medium to long ; cavity acute, deep, broad, 
often furrowed, sometimes compressed, sometimes lipped, 
often russeted with outspreading rays of russet or green ; 
calyx small, closed or open, with long lobes, acuminate ; 
basin abrupt, narrow to wide, often furrowed, corrugated ; 
skin tough, smooth, light yellow, blushed and mottled 
with red. striped with deep carmine ; dots gray, de- 
pressed, small and numerous toward the basin, conspicu- 
ous towards the cavity ; calyx-tube conical, short and 
wide with projection of fleshy pistil point into its base ; 
stamens basal ; core medium, axile, closed or partly 
open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels round-ovate, emav- 
ginate, tufted ; seeds variable, large, long, acute, dark 
brown ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
agreeably subacid, sprightly, aromatic ; good to very 
good ; November to March or April. 

BANANA: See Winter Banana. 

BANKS. Banks Grarenstein. Banks is a 
bright red Gravenstein, differing in no other im- 
portant particular than color. Some say that 
the apples are smaller, less ribbed, and more 
regular in shape. Banks is a bud-variation of 
Gravenstein, first noticed and propagated by 
C. E. Banks, Berwick, Kings County, Nova 
Scotia, about 1880. 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open. Fruit 
large, uniform in size but not in shape, oblate or round, 
somewhat irregular, broad at the base, angular, narrow 
to broad, irregularly russeted ; calyx large, open or 
closed, with lobes large, long, very broad, acute ; basin 
irregular, wide, obtuse to abrupt, wrinkled ; skin thin, 
tender, rough, greenish -yellow or orange-yellow overlaid 
with Ijroken stripes of light and dark red ; dots few. 
small, light ; prevailing effect yellow striped ; calyx 
tube large, conical ; stamens median ; core medium in 
size, strongly abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines clasping 
the funnel cylinder ; carpels broad-ovate, emarginate ; 
seeds large, long, plump, acute, brown ; flesh yellow, 
firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aro- 
matic ; very good to best ; late September to early 
November. 

BAXTER. Baxter^s Red. Red Pound. The 
bluish bloom, large areolar dots, large size, 
form, color, and the flesh and flavor of the 
fruits of Baxter, all indicate close relationship 
to Blue Pearmain. In quality, the apples are 
only fair, but immunity to fungi and the great 
hardiness of the trees make the variety de- 
sirable in regions too cold for Baldwin or 
Northern Spy. Baxter came into local repute 
at Brockville, Ontario, about 1800. 

Tree productive, very vigorous, upright-spreading, 
open ; branches long, stout. Leaves large. Fruit large 
to very large, round-conic, faintly ribbed, sides often 
unequal, axis sometimes oblique ; stem short ; cavity 
large, deep, acute, partly russeted, furrowed ; calyx 
small, closed or partly open ; basin oblique, shallow to 
deep, narrow, obtuse, furrowed, corrugated ; skin thick, 
tough, roughened by russet dots, pale yellow mottled 
and blushed with bright red deepening to darker shades, 
splashed and striped with purplish-red ; dots numerous, 
conspicuous, areolar; bloom heavy; prevailing efi'ect red 
or striped red ; calyx-tube large, elongated, funnel-form ; 
stamens median to marginal ; core abaxile, open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels elongated-ovate, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds numerous, small, wide, plump, obtuse, 
tufted, dark brown ; flesh yellow, sometimes stained 
with red, firm, breaking, coarse, tender, juicy, mild, 
subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; November to January. 

BEACH. Apple of Commerce. Beach has 
been widely distributed in the United States 
and Canada, and is now offered by many 
nurserymen. It is not likely to become widely 
grown, and yet it should be known for its 
late-keeping fruits. The apples are pleasant 
to eat — hardly among the best — but are not 
attractive in form or color. The variety was 
first described in Arkansas in 1898. 

Tree large, vigorous, productive, round, dense ; 
branches stocky. Leaves large, long ; petioles red at 
base. Fruit medium in size and uniform in size and 
shape, round-obo^ate. sometimes oblate, regular, sym- 
metrical ; stem slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, 
green or with outspreading russet, symmetrical ; calyx 
closed ; basin shallow to deep, obtuse, wide, furrowed, 
corrugated, often with mammiform protuberances ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth, bright yellow, shaded and mottled 
with red and striped with dark carmine ; dots incon- 
spicuous, small, gray ; prevailing effect red or red 
striped ; calyx-tube narrow, deep, conical, with fleshy 
projection of pistil point into its base ; stamens me<lian ; 
core axile. large, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
broadly ovate, emarginate ; seeds large, narrow, long, 
acute ; flesh yellow, very firm, coarse, subacid ; fair to 
good in quality ; very late. 

BELMONT. Golden Pippin. Waxen. This 
beautiful and choice cooking and dessert apple 
seems on the way to oblivion in the East, but 
is still rather commonly grown in the Pacific 
states as Waxen. Its chief faults are in the 
fruits, which bruise readily, do not keep well, 
and lack uniformity in size; but the trees fail 
also in that they are not reliably fruitful and 



18 



BEN DAVIS 



BETHEL 



are subject to sun-scald and canker. Belmont 
originated in the garden of a Mrs. Beam, 
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about 1800, 
but was introduced and named many years 
after from Belmont County, Ohio. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, vigorous. 
Fruit medium or large, uniform in size and shape, round- 
oblong to oblate-conic, broadly and indistinctly ribbed, 
irregular ; stem short, slender ; cavity large, acuminate, 
deep, broad, wavy, irregular, usually with thin brown 
russet, sometimes lipped ; calyx small, closed ; basin 
shallow to deep, abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth, waxen, clear bright yellow with 
bright orange-red blush ; dots whitish with minute 
russet point, oft^n submerged, on the blushed portion 
becoming red areolar ; prevailing color yellow ; calyx-tube 
long, elongated-cone-shaped ; stamens marginal ; core 
large, axile, sometimes closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels round-cordate, tufted ; seeds long, acute, tufted ; 
flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, mild, sub- 
acid ; very good ; October to February. 

BEN DAVIS. Fig. 8. Baltimore Pippin. 
Kentucky Pippin. New York Pippin. Red 
Pippin. Victoria Pippin. Ben Davis has the 
high place in the South and Middle West that 
Baldwin holds in the North and East, and, even 
in the latter regions, it ranks among the leading 
half-dozen commercial apples. But for the fatal 
fault of poor quality, Ben Davis would probably 
surpass Baldwin as a commercial variety, since 
it is least of all apples subject to local preju- 
dices as to soils and climates, and about the 
latest in season, and since it stands shipping and 
handling better than any other standard apple. 
Nurserymen like the variety because the 
young trees make a rapid and presentable 
growth where those of other varieties often fail. 




8. Ben Davis. {XVz) 

The trees are vigorous, thrifty, hardy, healthy, 
bear young, annually, and abundantly, blos- 
som late, and are, all in all, ideal in every 
respect except that they are short-lived and 
produce small apples as they grow old. The 
apples are large, imiform in size and shape, and 
are handsomely mottled, striped and splashed 
with bright red on a yellow background. 
There are few more beautiful apples. Looks 
belie the taste, however, as the fruits are poor 
in quality, though in the late spring they are 
acceptable for dessert, as thej' are at all times 
for cooking. The origin of Ben Davis is not 
known, but it has been cultivated in parts 
of the South since about 1800. It seems not 
to have been described until the 1857 edition 
of Downing's great book. 

Tree medium in size, very vigorous, upright-spreading ; 
branches strong, with numerous short laterals and spurs. 



drooping. Leaves large. Fruit medium to large, vary- 
ing from conic to oblong, broad, rounded at the base» 
often elliptical or irregular, sides sometimes unequal, 
uniform in shape and in size ; stem long, slender ; 
cavity acute, deep, symmetrical, often with rays of 
thin greenish-russet ; calyx closecL with short, acute 
lobes ; basin abrupt, medium in width and depth, obtuse, 
sometimes furrowed, usually oblique ; skin tough, waxy, 
bright, smooth, glossy, yellow, mottled and washed with 
bright red, striped and splashed with carmine ; dots 
inconspicuous, scattering ; prevailing effect bright deep 
red, striped ; calyx-tube short, cone-shaped, with a long 
cylinder, frequently with a fleshy projection of pistil 
point into its base ; stamens median ; core axile, closed 
or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels flat, obovate, 
emarginate, mucronate ; seeds large, long, irregular, 
wide, plump, acute, dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, aromatic, juicy, mild subacid ; good ; January 
to June. 

BENONI. Fig. 9. Benoni falls short of 
being a most excellent market and home apple 
through the smallness of the fniits, and the 
unproductiveness and biennial bearing habit 




9. Benoni. (XVa) 

of the trees. When well grown it is a beautiful 
and delicious dessert apple. The variety 
originated at Dedhara, Massachusetts, some- 
time before 1832, when it was first described. 
It is now chiefly grown in Illinois, Missouri, 
and neighboring states. 

Tree large, vigorous, erect or round-topped, dense. 
Fruit medium or small, round-conic, faintly ribbed 
toward the apex, sides unequal ; stem short or very 
short, slender ; cavity acute, narrow, deep, wavy, green- 
ish-russet ; calyx small, partly open, pubescent ; basin 
medium in width and depth, abrupt, wrinkled ; skin 
smooth, orange-yellow, partly covered with red striped 
with carmine ; dots scattering, minute, white ; stiimens 
basal ; core small, axile ; cells closed ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels round, elongated, emarginate : seeds few, dark 
brown, medium in size, plump, obtuse ; flesh yellow, 
firm, crisp, fine-grained, tender, juic.v, pleasant subacid ; 
good to very good ; August and early September. 

BETHEL. Fig. 10. Bethel falls at once 
through its fruit and tree characters into the 
well-known Blue Pearmain group of apples. 
It is probably worth planting only in regions 
where Baldwin is injured by cold. The apples 
are bright dark red, uniform in size, fair in 
quality, and keep well, but do not ship well. 
The trees are vigorous, healthy, hardy, long- 
lived, fniitful, bear young and annually, but 
often lose the crop before picking time. The 
stem of Bethel is characteristically curved to 
one side. Culture of the variety is largely 
confined to the New England states. Bethel 
is often confused with Stone, but the two, as 
the descriptions show, are quite distinct. The 
variety originated at Bethel, Vermont, some 
time previous to 1886. 



BIETIGHEIMER 



BLACK GILLIFLOWER 



19 




10. Bethel. iXV^) 



Tree large, vigorous, round, spreading. Fruit large, 
round-conic, angular or irregularly elliptical ; stem 
short, slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, broad, sym- 
metrical, with red-russet often outspreading ; calyx 
pubescent, large, open or closed ; basin shallow, wide, 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, 
yellow, washed and mottled with red and striped with 
carmine, dark red in higlily colored specimens ; dots 
numerous, conspicuous, russet or light, many small 
and some large and areolar ; calyx-tube very large, wide, 
funnel-shaped with a short cylinder ; stamens median ; 
core large, abasile, open or closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broad, round-ovate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds 
large, wide, long, acute to acuminate, tufted, brown ; 
flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild 
subacid ; fair to good ; November to March. 

BIETIGHEIMER. Red Bietigheimer. 
The fruits are of largest size, for which and for 
their beauty of form and color, the variety is 
remarkable. On the other hand, the apples 
are coarse, poor in quality, and drop badly 
during the maturing period. The trees are 
hardy and healthy, and come into bearing 
early, but are among the unmanageables of 
orchard and nursery, and are seldom fruitful. 
The variety was introduced from Germany 
about 1870, and is now more or less grown in 
the colder parts of America. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with 
drooping laterals. Fruit very large, uniform in size 
and shape, round-oblate, with broad, flat base, somewhat 
irregular ; stem short, thick ; cavity large, acute, wide, 
shallow, sometimes furrowed, occasionally lipped, often 
much russeted and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx 
small, closed, with narrow, acute lobes ; basin shallow 
and obtuse to deep and abrupt, wrinkled, often marked 
with mammiform protuberances ; skin thick, tough, 
smooth, pale yellow washed with pinkish-red, sparingly 
and obscurely splashed with deeper red ; dots numerous, 
small, inconspicuous, yellow or russet ; calyx-tube 
broadly conical ; stamens basal ; core medium to large, 
axile ; cells partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
cordate or broadly roundish, tufted ; seeds numerous, 
large, wide, broadly acute, light brown ; flesh white, 
firm, verj* coarse, crisp, tough, juicy, subacid ; fair to 
good; Septeml'er and October. 

BISMARCK. Bismarck is of the type of 
the better-known Alexander. The quality of 
its fruit is so poor, that, were it not for several 
remarkable characters of the trees, the variety 
could hardly obtain standing with fruit- 
growers. The trees begin bearing as soon as 
established, often when one or two years set, 
sometimes in the nursery row ; they are also 
hardy, healthy, productive, and annual in bear- 
ing; and have a dwarf habit, scarcely attain- 
ing the dignity of a tree, a fact which fits them 
admirably for fillers and for close plantings. 



The apples are large and handsome, but too- 
poor in quality for even a good culinary fruit. 
Bismarck originated in the Province of Canter- 
bury, New Zealand, and was introduced into 
America from England about 1895. Its cul- 
ture is restricted in America to the northern 
states and Canada. 

Tree dwarf, spreading, open with very short, stout 
drooping branches. Fruit large, uniform in size and 
shape, round-oblate or round-conic, flattened at the base, 
regular, sides often unequal ; stem short, thick ; cavity 
large, acuminate, wide, deep, often compressed, green 
or russet with outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, 
open, with short, broad, obtuse lobes ; basin large, 
usually symmetrical, deep, wide, abrupt, sometimes 
broadly furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, 
smooth, yellow washed, mottled and striped with two 
shades of red becoming solid dark red on the exposed 
cheek, overspread with thin bloom and often marked 
with scarf-skin about the base ; dots minute, russet or 
large and pale gray ; prevailing effect red ; calyx-tube 
wide, broadly conical ; stamens basal ; core small, axile 
to abaxile ; cells closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels flat, broadly ovate, tufted ; seeds few, often 
abortive, wide, short, plump, obtuse, bromi ; flesh white, 
firm, coarse, tender, juicy, subacid ; fair to good ; 
October to early winter. 

BLACK BEN DAVIS.— Black Ben Davis 
is either a seedling or a bud-mutation of Ben 
Davis, from which it diiTers in bearing dark red 
apples scarcely broken in color, whereas in Ben 
Davis the red fruits are striped, splashed, and 
mottled. Despite the fact that the evidence 
seems to show that they are of distinct origin, 
Black Ben Davis and Gano may be considered 
identical. The variety is said to have orig- 
inated on the farm of M. Black, Washington 
County, Arkansas, about 1880. Its culture, as 
an apple of commerce at least, is restricted to 
its native state and the nearby states. 




11. Black Gilliflower. (Xy.) 

BLACK GILLIFLOWER. Fig. 11. Gaii- 
flower. Red GiUflower. Black Gilliflower, 
threatened with oblivion, is again being 
planted. The distinct form, color, flavor, and 
aroma of the apples, as pictured in the tech- 
nical description, mark it as an unusual and 
attractive fruit, fit for dessert, and excellent 
for cookery. The apples, eaten out of hand 
or however cooked, have a rare, sweet flavor 
and aroma, most agreeable to many. They 
are, also, usuallj' perfect, uniform in size and 
shape, and keep very well in either cold- 
storage or the cellar. The trees are vigorous, 
healthy, and fruitful. Black Gilliflower was 



20 



BLUE PEARMAIN 



BONUM 



known in New England as early as the Revo- 
lutionary War; thence its culture has spread 
southward to the Carolinas and westward to 
the Mississippi. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading. Leaves long. 
Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and shape, 
oblong-conic, ribbed, axis sometimes oblique ; stem 
long, thick ; cavity acuminate, wide, lipped but usually 
symmetrical, with red-russet or greenish outspreading 
rays ; calyx closed ; basin often oblique, shallow and 
obtuse to deep and abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth, yellow, striped or covered with 
red, deepening to almost black, obscurely striped with 
darker crimson and with streaks of scarf-skin, giving the 
effect of dull bloom ; dots numerous, gray, small, rough ; 
prevailing effect dull gray-purple ; calyx-tube large, 
wide, cone-shape ; stamens median ; core large, axile, 
closed : core-lines clasping ; carpels long-ovate, tapering 
both ways, emarginate, tufted ; seeds often abortive, 
when developed of medium size, acuminate, tufted ; flesh 
yellow, firm, tender, coarse, juicy becoming dry, mild 
subacid, rich, peculiarly aromatic, good ; October to 
January or February. 




12. Blue Pearmain. (XVa) 

BLUE PEARMAIN. Fig. 12. Blue Pear- 
main is characterized by its bluish bloom, 
deep purplish color, ribbed or sometimes fur- 
rowed surface, thick skin, the mild pleasant 
flavor of its fruits, and the hardiness of the 
trees — all of which characters it seems to have 
transmitted little changed to a numerous prog- 
eny. The fruit does not keep well, and the 
quality is not sufficiently high to make the 
variety worthy except where hardiness is neces- 
sary. Blue Pearmain is known to be at least 
a hundred years old, but is of uncertain origin. 
It was first described by Kenrick in 1833. The 
variety is widely grown only in New England. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading. Leaves broad, coarsely 
serrated. Fruit large to very large, uniform in size 
and shape, round to oblate, inclined to conic, irregular, 
often obscurely ribbed, sometimes distinctly furrowed 
from the cavity nearly to the basin ; stem short, thick ; 
cavity deep, obscurely furrowed, usually covered with 
orange-russet or greenish-russet ; calyx partly open, acute 
lobes ; basin medium in depth and width, with con- 
centric gray or russet lines, obscurely furrowed ; skin 
rough, yellow, washed and mottled with red, often 
deepening on one side to nearly solid red, splashed and 
striped with deep purplish-carmine and overspread with 
an abundant blue bloom ; dots numerous, small, pale, 
mingled with others wliich are conspicuous, very large, 
gray with russet center and often also mingled with 
irregular lines or flecks of dull green or russet ; calyx- 
tube elongated-conical ; stamens basal ; core large, axile, 
closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broad, 
elongated or round, tufted ; seeds long, acuminate, light 
brown ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, juicy, mild, subacid, 
agreeably aromatic : good ; October till March. 

BOGDANOFF GLASS. Bogdanojf. Sklan- 
ka. This variety may have some value in 



cold regions, since it is a hardy Russian sort. 
Unfortunately, the quality of the fruit is not 
high, but the apples are handsome in appear- 
ance and keep well. The variety was imported 
from Russia to America about 1880. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open ; branches long, 
curved, stout. Leaves broad. Fruit large, uniform in 
size and shape, round-conic sometimes approaching 
round-oblate, obscurely ribbed, usually symmetrical, 
sometimes elliptical or irregular ; stem sliort, thick, 
often swollen at the base, sometimes knobbed ; cavity 
acuminate, sliallow to deep, broad, furrowed, wrinkled ; 
skin thin, tough, smooth, waxy, glossy, green becoming 
bright pale yellow, occasionally with faint bronze blush ; 
dots numerous, inconspicuous, mostly submerged, white 
or green ; calyx-tube large, long, cone-shaped ; stamens 
median ; core axile, closed or open ; cells often unsym- 
metrical ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels smooth, 
broadly obovate, emarginate ; seeds light reddish-brown, 
smooth, wide, plump, obtuse to acute ; flesh white, firm, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, brisk subacid ; fair to good ; 
November to February. 

BOIKEN. Boiken was one of the marvels 
of the American horticultural press at the 
close of the nineteenth century. The apples 
are most attractive in color — bright yellow 
with a beautiful blush — but the variety was 
heralded in this country chiefly because of the 
vigor, health, productiveness, hardiness and, 
more than all else, the early bearing habit of 
the trees. The leaves are distinctive because 
of their great size, rich green color, and im- 
munity to apple-scab. Unfortunately, the 
fruit is so austere as to be hardly fit to eat 
out of hand ; even cooking does not sufficiently 
take away the sourness. The apples are in 
demand at evaporators, the cured product be- 
ing remarkable for its light color. The variety 
is now falling into disrepute. It is grown 
chiefly in cold regions, and where an early- 
bearing sort is wanted. Boiken came to 
America from Germany, where it has long 
been cultivated. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, dense ; branches short, stout, 
crooked. Leaves large. Fruit medium to large, uniform 
in shape but uneven in size, oblate, broad at the base, 
conical, often ribbed, symmetrical ; stem long ; cavity 
obtuse, very broad, furrowed, sometimes compressed, 
partly colored with thin brownish-russet ; calyx large, 
closed or open, acute lobes ; basin oblique, wide, abrupt, 
deep, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, 
waxy, pale yellow, often with sharply contrasting bril- 
liant red blush ; dots numerous, small, often red-areolar, 
with white or russet center, often submerged ; prevailing 
effect yellow witii red blush ; calyx-tube large, funnel- 
form, often extending to the core ; stamens median ; 
core large, open, abaxile ; cells usually symmetrical ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels concave, very broad, ellipti- 
cal, emarginate, tufted ; seeds plump, obtuse to acute, 
dark ; flesh white, firm, crisp, tender, fine-grained, very 
juicy, sprightly, brisk sulmcid, not high in quality ; 
good ; No\ember to February or March. 

BONUM. Magnum Bonum. Bonum is a 
standard variety in the South, valued for its 
productive trees and the high quality of its 
apples, qualities which it attains only when 
grown under favorable conditions. The variety 
is of little value north of the Potomac and 
Ohio. It originated in Davidson County, 
North Carolina, about 1840. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading or round-topped, 
open. Fruit medium to large, oblate, regular ; stem 
long, slender, green ; cavity larre, deep, regular, often 
with a little green-russet ; calyx large, closed ; basin 
shal'ow, wrinkled ; skin smooth, yellow, mostly cov- 



BOROVINKA 



BUCKINGHAM 



21 



ered with crimson and dark red, striped ; dots distinct, 
large, light with some having a dark center ; calyx-tube 
funnel-form ; stamens marginal ; core small ; cells closed ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels ovate ; seeds numerous, 
large, plump ; flesh white, often stained next to the 
skin firm, tine, tender, juicy, aromatic, mild subacid ; 
very good ; September to November. 

BOROVINKA. Barovitsky. Mushroom. 
This apple is very similar to the far better 
known Oldenburg and serves the same pur- 
poses. It was imported from Russia about 
1875. 

Tree small size but vigorous, upright-spreading, open. 
Fruit medium to large, uniform in shape but not in 
size, round, flattened at tbe ends, regular or faintly 
ribbed ; stem medium in length, thick ; cavity acute, 
shallow, broad, furrowed, sometimes with faint radiat- 
ing rays of russet ; calyx large, closed, with broad 
lobes ; basin deep, wide, abrupt, furrowed, occasionally 
with mammiform protuberances ; skin thin, very tender, 
smooth, pale yellow, often covered with broken stripes 
and irregular splashes of bright red, overspread with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, conspicuous, small, light 
colored ; calyx-tube large, wide, urn-sliape widening in 
the lower part of the cylinder ; stamens median ; core 
small, axile • cells closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
round, concave, mucronate ; seeds large, wide, plump, 
obtuse, dark brown ; flesh yellow, crisp, tender, juicy, 
subacid, aromatic ; good ; mid-August to mid- September. 

BORSDORF. Borsdorjer. Borsdorf is con- 
sidered a first-class dessert apple in Europe, 
but in America falls far short of this rank. 
The tree, however, is very hardy and pro- 
ductive, and because of these character the 
variety may w^ell be planted in northern regions. 
It was introduced into America from Germany, 
probably about 1830. It is a very old sort, 
and some believe it to be the apple mentioned 
by Cordus in 1561, 

Tree moderately vigorous, round, dense ; branches long, 
slender, with numerous small laterals. Leaves broad. 
Fruit medium to small, oblate, somewhat ribbed, sides 
unequal, uniform in size and shape ; stem long, slender, 
often inclined obliquely ; cavity shallow to deep, wide, 
obtuse, often furrowed and russeted ; calyx large, partly 
open ; basin shallow, wide and obtuse, ridged and 
wrinkled ; skin yellow, partly washed with dull light 
scarlet aim oiten marl- ' with streaks of russet and 
inconspicuous capillary -netted russet lines ; dots scat- 
tering, large and irregular, gray or russet ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, cone-shape, with a flesliy projection of the 
pistil into its base ; stamens marginal ; core small, axile, 
closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels broad, narrowing 
sharply towards the apex, truncate at base, emarginate ; 
seeds numerous, small, plump, acute, compactly filling 
the cells ; flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild, 
subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; November to February. 

BOSKOOP. Belle de Boscoop. WeD 

grown, Boskoop is a handsome fall apple with 
considerable merit as a market fruit for culi- 
nary purposes. The variety is capricious as 
to soils, however, and probably is worth plant- 
ing only in regions where its great hardiness 
makes it valuable. It is said to have origmated 
from seed planted at Boskoop, Holland, in 
1856. The first account of it in America was 
published in the Montreal Horticultural Report 
in 1881. 

Tree large, vigorous, open, wide-spreading and drooping ; 
branches long, stout, crooked, lateral brandies numer- 
ous and small. Leaves large, broad. Fruit large, oblate, 
or round-oblate, obscurely ribbed, sometimes with 
oblique axis, uniform in size and shape ; stem short and 
thick, sometimes long ; cavity large, acute, furrowed, 
often irregular, deep, russeted ; calyx large, segments 
long or very long, acuminate, closed or open, separated 
at the base ; basin abrupt, narrow, shallow to deep, 



furrowed ; skin dull green or yellow, blushed and mot- 
tled with red striped with deeper red, roughened with 
russet flecks, often irregularly overspread with russet ; 
dots small, gray, mingled with others which are large, 
irregular and russet ; calyx-tube large, cone-shape ; 
stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; cells often unsym- 
metrical, closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
round or obcordate, tufted ; seeds when well developed 
long, irregular, obtuse, tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
tender, juicy, crisp, brisk subacid ; good to very good ; 
September to April. 

BOTTLE GREENING. Bottle Greening 
holds a place in the list of desirable apples 
because it can be grown particularly well in 
northern regions on sandy and gravelly soils, 
the trees, on such sites, bearing annually and 
abundantly. The apples are fit for dessert 
and are e.xcellent for cookery, but, because of 
tenderness of skin and flesh, are not of much 
value for the market; they scald badly in 
cold-storage. Bottle Greening originated as a 
chance seedling on the dividing-line between 
New York and Vermont, where it came into 
fruit nearly a hundred years ago. The original 
tree was hollow, and workmen found it a 
convenient place for the "bottle," hence the 
name. Its culture is restricted to cold regions. 

Tree medium in size, A-igorous, round and open ; 
branciies long, stout, crooked, with yellowish bark. 
Leaves broad. Fruit medium to large, round-oblate to 
ovate, sometimes conic, regular, obscurely ribbed, syra- 
metrical, sides sometimes unequal ; stem short ; cavity 
acuminate, deep, broad, sometimes lipped, indistinctly 
furrowed or compressed ; calyx large, closed or open ; 
basin abrupt, narrow to wide, often furrowed, sometimes 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, green or yellow, 
tliinly washed or blushed with dull crimson, not striped ; 
dots few, usually submerged, pale and inconspicuous, a 
few scattering ones are russet ; prevailing color green ; 
calyx-tube large, conical ; stamens median ; core small, 
abaxile ; cells often closed towards apex and open at 
base ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broad, round to ob- 
cordate ; seeds medium, acute ; flesh white, firm, tender, 
very juicy, aromatic, pleasant subacid; good to very 
good ; October to March. 




13. Buckingham. (XVa) 

BUCKINGHAM. Fig. 13. Fall Queen. 
Kentucky Queen. Ne Plus Ultra Queen. Red 
Horse. Wmter Queen. Buckingham is a south- 
ern apple, attaining in the South, especially on 
the Atlantic seaboard, almost perfection in 
form and color, and having, besides, a rich, 
pleasant flavor. In the North, the apples do 
not develop high color nor good quality, and 
the trees are unproductive and irregular in 
bearing. The origin of Buckingham is un- 
known, but it has been grown in Virginia and 
North Carolina for at least a century and a 
half. 



22 



BULLOCK 



CARSON 



Tree a moderate grower. Fruit large, oblate to round- 
oblate, irregular, broadly and obscurely ribbed, sides 
sometimes unequal ; stem stout, short ; cavity large, 
acute to acuminate, wide, deep, with heavy outspreading 
russet ; calyx large, closed or open ; basin large, abrupt, 
wide, deep, obscurely furrowed, wrinkled ; skin thick, 
tough, pale yellow or pale green washed and mottled 
with red, striped and blushed with bright carmine ; dots 
numerous, small, light or russet, mingled with others 
which are large, gray and areolar ; calyx-tube conical ; 
stamens median ; core small, abaxile to axile ; cells sym- 
metrical and open or closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
concave, elliptical to round, eraarginate, smooth ; seeds 
dark, large, plump, wide, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, tender, crisp, juicy, with distinct aroma, mild 
subacid ; fair to good ; November to April. 

BULLOCK. Bullock's Pippin. Golden Rus- 
set. Bullock was one of the favorite dessert 
apples of a century ago, and continued in 
favor until Downing's time. He speaks of it 
as "one of the most delicious and tender of 
apples." The fruits are small, and, with their 
modest russet skins, are not striking enough 
to attract much attention now, but its rich, 
spicy, refreshing flavor makes it too good an 
apple to be wholly lost. It succeeds best in 
sandy or gravelly soils. Bullock originated 
in Burlington County, New Jersey, more than 
a centuiy ago. Its culture is restricted to the 
seaboard of the Middle Atlantic states. 

Tree not large but vigorous, upright or round-topped. 
Fruit small or medium, round-conic to ovate, regular in 
outline, uniform ; stem long, slender ; cavity acuminate, 
deep, narrow, funnel-shape or compressed ; calyx small, 
closed ; basin small, often oblique, shallow, narrow, 
wrinkled ; skin pale yellow, more or less overspread and 
splashed with thin russet ; dots numerous, small, obscure, 
russet ; core large, axile, open ; core-lines nearly meet- 
ing ; carpels round ; seeds large, plump ; flesh yellow, 
firm, fine, crisp, very tender, juicy with an agreeable 
rich, aromatic, mild subacid flavor ; very good to best ; 
October to January. 

CANADA BALDWIN. Canada Baldwin, 
an inapt name, is a very late Fameuse, and 
deserves a place on apple lists in northern re- 
gions to extend the season of Fameuse. It 
is not so attractive in appearance nor so well- 
flavored as the better-known Fameuse. The 
variety originated on the farm of Alexis Dery, 
St. Hilaire, Quebec, about 1850. 

Tree upright, becoming open and spreading ; branches 
long, stout. Leaves broad. Fruit medium, round-conic, 
sometimes oblate, obscurely ribbed, symmetrical, regular ; 
stem pubescent, long, slender, bracted, or more often 
sliort and thick ; cavity large, acute, deep, broad, smooth 
or covered with thin russet, often furrowed or com- 
pressed, pubescent near base of stem ; calyx closed or 
open, pubescent, with long, acuminate, retiexed lobes ; 
basin shallow, obtuse, often furrowed or compressed, 
irregularly wrinkled, often with mammiform protub- 
erances ; skin thick, tough, smooth, pale yellow, mottled 
and blushed with bright red, splashed and striped with 
carmine, conspicuously marked with areolar dots and 
covered with a thin bloom ; dots large, numerous, areolar 
with russet or gray center ; calyx-tube funnel-shape ; 
stamens marginal to median ; core closed or partly open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels smooth, ovate, emarginate, 
mucronate ; seeds large, plump, acute, numerous, narrow, 
long, smooth or tufted ; flesh white, tinged with red, 
firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, pleasant ; 
good or very good ; November to January. 

CANADA RED: See Red Canada. 

CANADA REINETTE. Canada Pippin. 
White Pippin. This variety, supposed to have 
originated in Canada, is not well thought of 
on this side of the Atlantic, being excelled by 



many similar sorts, but is highly esteemed in 
Europe. In America, the apples lack in quality 
and the trees are unproductive. The origin of 
the variety is not definitely known; it was 
first described in France in 1786. 

Tree vigorous, spreading and drooping ; branches long, 
stout, crooked. Leaves broad. Fruit variable in size, 
freijuently very large, oblate or roundish, inclined to 
conic, often irregularly, broadly angular, sometimes with 
furrows extending from base to apex, not uniform in 
shape ; stem short ; cavity acute, broad, wavy, sometimes 
russeted ; calyx large, closed or partly open ; basin 
abrupt, deep, wide, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin yellow, 
sometimes with a blush, not striped, marked with dots, 
flecks or irregular patches of russet ; calyx-tube wide, 
cone-shape ; stamens median or basal ; core medium, 
abaxile to axile, open or partly so ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels round, inclined to obovate, tufted ; seeds few, 
large, long, tufted, dark ; flesh yellow, firm, tender, 
coarse, breaking, juicy, subacid; very good; early winter 
until March or April. 

CANNON. Cannon Pearmain. Cannon is 
an old southern apple, valued as a long-lived 
sort, which first appeared in pomological litera- 
ture in 1851 with the statement that it origi- 
nated in Virginia or North Carolina. It is 
still grown in the South Atlantic states. 

Tree healthy, vigorous, spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, ovate varying to roundish, regular, symmetrical* 
uniform ; skin greenish -yellow, mottled and washed with 
bright red faintly striped with carmine ; dots yellow, 
often areolar with russet point ; core medium, axile, 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
crisp, juicy, aromatic, subacid ; good ; January to April. 

CARPENTIN. Carnation. Gray Reinette. 
The fruit of Carpentin is handsome, pleasantly 
flavored, red-russet, not larger than the well- 
known Lady, and most suitable for dessert. 
The origin of the variety is unknown, but it 
was first described in America by Downing in 
1872. It is little grown and deserves wider 
recognition in home orchards. 

Tree vigorous, with long slender shoots. Fruit small, 
uniform in size and shape, round-conic to oblate, regular 
and symmetrical, occasionally with sides unequal ; stem 
very long, slender ; cavity large, acuminate, deep, broad, 
symmetrical, often with concentric broken russet lines ; 
calyx small, closed ; lobes short, broad, obtuse ; basin 
abrupt, shallow, narrow, smooth or sometimes furrowed, 
symmetrical, marked with concentric broken lines of 
russet ; skin thick, tough, dull yellow or with bright 
blush, partly smooth but more or less netted with cin- 
namon-russet ; dots scattering, gray ; calyx-tube small, 
short, narrow to wide, conical ; stamens basal ; core 
axile, medium, often closed ; core-lines meeting, clasp- 
ing ; carpels elliptic to round or broadly ovate, emargi- 
nate ; seeds dark, wide, short, obtuse to broadly acute; 
flesh white, sometimes with red tinge next the skin, very- 
firm, fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, subacid, brisk, 
strongly aromatic, high in flavor ; very good ; December 
to April. 

CARSON. Nurserymen and fruit-growers 
in Indiana speak very highly of Carson as an 
extra early variety, and believe that it has 
commercial possibilities. The variety is said. 
to be a seedling of Summer Rose; it origi- 
nated with a Mr. Carson near Indianapolis^ 
Indiana, about 1906, and -was introduced by 
C. M. Hobbs & Son, Bridgeport, Indiana, in 
1915. The following description is compiled 
from nursery catalogs: 

Tree upright, straight-limbed, very vigorous, bearing 
early, annually and heavily, without tendency to blight. 
Fruit medium to large, from one-third to one-half larger 
than Yellow Transparent, round-oval, yellow, overlaid 



CHAMPLAIN 



COLLINS 



23 



with streaks and blotches of bright pinkish-carmine; 
liesh white, crisp, juicy, tart, aromatic ; quality good 
for either dessert or culinary purposes ; one week before 
Yellow Transparent. 

CHAMPLAIN. Haverstraw Pippin. Large 
Golden Pippin. Nyack. Sour Bough. Summtr 
Pippin. Tart Bough. Champlain has many 
qualities that commend it for the home or- 
chard. The apples are attractive in color, 
good in quality, and ripen throughout a long 
period. The trees are vigorous, hardy, healthy, 
long-lived, and productive. The origin of the 
variety is unknown but it has been on record 
since 1853, when an account of it was published 
in the Nexv England Farmer. Its culture is 
almost wholly confined to New England and 
the Middle Atlantic states. It is more often 
known as Nyack or as Summer Pippin than 
as Champlain. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
open, with long stout branches. Fruit medium to large, 
un-uniform in size or shape, round-conic to ovate or 
oblong, irregularly ribbed, sides unequal ; stem medium 
to long ; cavity acuminate, shallow, narrow, sometimes 
furrowed and usually russeted ; calyx small, closed or 
open ; basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, smooth ; skin 
tender, pale yellow, often with a light crimson blush ; 
dots numerous, small, russet or submerged ; calyx-tube 
conical, usually short but sometimes elongated ; stamens 
median ; core large, axile to abaxile ; cells open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels smooth, elongated-ovate ; seeds 
dark brown, narrow, short, plump, sharp-pointed, acumi- 
nate ; flesh yellow, fine, very tender, juicy, sprightly, 
subacid ; good to very good ; late August to October. 

CHARLAMOFF. Arabka. Pointed Pipka. 
Charlamoff is a Russian variety of the Olden- 
burg type, suitable for the cold climate of the 
northern parts of the Great Plains and Canada. 
It ripens a little earlier than Oldenburg, but is 
not so good in quality, and has the fault of 
remaining in good condition for only a short 
time. To offset these faults of the fruit, the 
trees come in bearing young and yield large 
crops biennially. It was introduced from 
Europe about 18S0. 

Tree rather small, compact, very hardy, spreading, pro- 
ductive, bearing biennially. Fruit of medium size, 
sometimes large, oblong-conical ; skin pale yellow, 
spla.shed and streaked with purplish-red ; dots few, 
distinct ; cavity deep, of medium width ; stem medium 
long, stout ; basin shallow-, wrinkled ; calyx open ; flesh 
white, coarse, juicy, mildiy subacid, pleasant ; quality 
good ; August or just before Oldenburg. 

CHENANGO. Fig. 14. Chenango Straw- 
berry. In its season, Chenango is the apple 
of apples in taste, smell, and appearance. The 
fruits begin to mature in September and con- 
tinue to ripen for several weeks, lasting, in 
storage at least, until November. Chenango 
is too delicate to send to market, but no apple 
can give more pleasure to those who grow 
fniit for quality. The trees are early and 
regular bearers, hardy, healthy, long-lived, 
fruitful, and usually annual in bearing. Un- 
fortunately, the history of this delicious apple 
is not known, but it probably originated in 
Madison or Chenango County, New York. It 
was first described in 1854. Its merits quickly 
brought it into culture in the apple regions of 
the whole country, and it now grows in the 
orchard of nearly every amateur apple-grower. 



Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense, with short, stout, curved branches. Fruit medium 
to large, elongated-ovate or oblong-conic, ribbed ; stem 
short, thick ; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, often 
furrowed and compressed ; calyx large, partly open or 
closed ; lobes often separated at the base, long, broad. 




14. Chenango (XV2) 

obtuse ; basin small, shallow, narrow, obtuse, furrowed, 
sometimes wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, glossy, yellowish- 
white, overspread and mottled with pinkish-red, con- 
spicuously striped and splashed with carmine ; dots few, 
inconspicuous, light-colored, often submerged ; calyx-tube 
long, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; 
cells often unsymmetrical, wide, open or closed ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels broadly ovate, smooth ; seeds 
small, wide, plump, obtuse ; flesh white, firm, tender, 
juicy, mild subacid, very aromatic ; good to very good ; 
latter part of August and through September. 

CLAYTON. The tree-characters of Clay- 
ton are satisfactory, but the fruits are but 
mediocre in size, color, and quality, their chief 
merit being good keeping and shipping quali- 
ties. It is grown chiefly in the INIiddle West, 
more particularly in the Ozark region of south- 
western Missouri. Clayton was first described 
by Warder in 1867. The origin is given as 
Indiana. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open ; branches long, 
stout. Leaves large. Fruit large, round-oblate to round- 
conic : stem medium, often obliquely set under a promi- 
nent, fleshy lip ; cavity acute to obtuse, deep, broad, 
often furrowed, usually with conspicuous outspreading 
russet ; calyx small, open or closed ; basin abrupt, 
medium in width and depth, symmetrical, often 
wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, yellow, blushed 
and mottled with dull red, with splashes and stripes of 
carmine, often marked with gray scarf-skin near the 
cavity ; dots medium, pale or russet, scattering ; calyx- 
tube long, narrow, funnel-shape ; stamens marginal ; 
core abaxile ; cells usually unsymmetrical, open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels concave, elliptical, emarginate ; 
seeds numerous, dark, small, plump, obtuse ; flesh yellow, 
firm, coarse, crisp, mild subacid ; good ; January to 
May or June. 

COLLAMER. This variety is a sport of 
the well-known Twenty Ounce, from which it 
differs in bearing fruits more solidly covered 
with red, more regular in shape, and less 
ribbed. The brighter color of Collamer makes 
it a more valuable commercial apple than 
Twenty Ounce. The variety originated at 
Hilton, New York, in the orchard of J. B. 
Collamer, about 1895. For a technical account 
of fruit and tree, the reader is referred to 
Twenty Ounce. 

COLLINS. Champion. Champion Red. 
Collins Red. Collins is receiving attention in 



24 



COLTON 



COOPER MARKET 



regions where Ben Davis thrives. The fruit 
is somewhat hke that of Baldwin in shape and 
color, with a cavity like that of Rome Beauty. 
The trees have a high reputation for vigor and 
productiveness. In the North, the fruit is 
much inferior in appearance and quality to 
Baldwin, and it is not equal to Rome Beauty 
or even Ben Davis in these respects in the 
South. Collins originated about 1865 near 
Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

Tree large, tall, very vigorous, upright and dense, 
eventually becoming open ; branches long, thick, croolied. 
Leaves large, long. Fruit large, globular or oblate 
inclined to conic, symmetrical ; stem medium to short ; 
cavity acute, sometimes acuminate, broad, symmetrical 
or obscurely furrowed, smooth or with radiating russet 
rays ; calyx small, open or sometimes closed ; lobes 
separated at the base, short, obtuse; basin round, deep, 
abrupt, symmetrical or furrowed ; skin thick, tough, 
waxy, with faint bloom, bright dark red, indistinctly 
striped with purplish-carmine and occasionally sliowmg 
contrasting clear yellow ground color ; dots inconspicuous, 
russet or pale gray ; sometimes a suture line extends 
from cavity to basin ; calyx-tube small, long, narrow 
funnel-shape to short-conic : stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core- 
lines clasp the funnel cylinder ; carpels concave, ellipti- 
cal to obcordate, tufted and deeply emarginate ; seeds 
dark, large, narrow, long. Hat, acute; flesh white, very 
firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, 
aromatic; fair to good; January to June. 

COLTON. Early Colton. The tree of Col- 
ton is thrifty, hardy, and productive, and 
comes into bearing young, but the fruit is not 
good enough in quality to make the variety 
valuable, although it is much grown in parts 
of the Middle West. Colton originated in 
Franklin County, Massachusetts, about 1840 
on the farm of a Mr. Colton. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright when young but eventu- 
ally spreading, with long, stout, crooked branches. 
Fruit medium in size, round, narrowing toward both 
ends, ribbed ; stem medium in length, stout ; cavity 
small, acute, shallow, narrow ; calyx closed, with long, 
recurved lobes ; basin small, shallow, obtuse, wrinkled ; 
skin pale yellow, sometimes with a shade of red; dots 
numerous, large, green; calyx-tube elongated, funnel- 
form ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly round ; flesh white, 
coarse, crisp, juicy, mild subacid ; fair to good ; last 
of July to early September. 

COLVERT. Colvert is grown in some lo- 
calities to compete with Twenty Ounce, to 
which, however, it is usually inferior in size, 
color, and quality of fruit. The trees are quite 
as good as those of Twenty Ounce, being 
hardy, healthy, and productive. The origin 
is uncertain, but it is an American sort and 
was first described by Warder in 1867. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open ; branches 
long, curved, crooked. Leaves broad. Fruit large, 
uniform in size but variable in shape, oblate to oblate- 
conic, obscurely ribbed, irregular and with sides unequal ; 
stem short, thick ; cavity acute, deep, medium in width, 
usually heavily russeted, sometimes compressed and 
frequently lipped ; calyx closed or open ; lobes short, 
narrow, acuminate; basin abrupt, medium in depth, 
narrow, furrowed ; skin thick, tough, dull greenish- 
yellow, sometimes partly washed with red and striped 
and splashed with carmine; dots inconspicuous, usually 
submerged, a few scattering ones are large and russet ; 
prevailing color greenisli-yellow ; calyx-tube broadly 
conical ; stamens median ; core axile, small ; cells closed 
or partly open ; carpels broad-cordate, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute, frequently 
abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
subacid ; good ; October to January. 



CONSTANTINE. Fig. 15. Grand Duke 

Const a tit inc. Constantine is very similar to 
the better-known Alexander, from which it 
differs in that the fruit ripens a week later, 
keeps longer, hangs later, cracks less, and is a 
little better in quality. The trees are not so 
large as those of Ale.xander and may be planted 
more closely. The origin of Constantine is 
uncertain. It was first described in Europe in 
1873, in America in 1880 in the Iowa Horticul- 
lural Society Riport. 




15. Constantine. (XVo) 

Tree small, at first vigorous but becoming a slow 
grower, spreading, open, with short, stout, curved 
branches. Fruit very large, round-conic to oblate-conic, 
regular or ribbed, symmetrical ; stem medium to long, 
slender to thick ; cavity large, acuminate, very deep, 
broad, symmetrical, russeted and with outspreading 
rays of greenish-russet ; calyx open ; lobes medium in 
width and length, acute ; basin narrow, abrupt, smooth 
or wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, waxy, greenish- 
yellow, mottled, marbled and blushed with bright red 
over nearly the whole surface, with wide broken stripes 
of carmine radiating from the cavity, overspread with 
thin bloom ; dots white or pale russet ; prevailing efliect 
bright red ; calyx-tube long, wide, funnel-shape ; stamens 
median ; core of medium size, abaxile ; cells open or 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly o\ ate or 
cordate, emarginate ; seeds medium in size, wide, short, 
thick, plump, obtuse, dark brown ; flesh white, firm, 
coarse, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid ; fair to good ; 
late September to November. 

COOPER MARKET. Coopers Red. For 
nearly a century Cooper Market was a stand- 
ard commercial apple in northern regions. Its 
chief merits are capacity to keep, attractive 
color and form in the fruit, and vigor, hardi- 
ness, healthfulness, and productiveness in the 
trees. The variety is now passing from culti- 
vation because the apples are small and their 
quality is poor. The variety is thought to 
have originated in Pennsylvania. It was first 
described in 1804. 

Tree vigorous, upright, lateral branches long, slender 
and drooping. Fruit medium or large, round-ovate to 
round-conic, flattened at the base and often narrowing 
sharply towards the apex, symmetrical ; stem long, 
slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, sometimes 
furrowed, often russeted ; calyx small, closed, pubescent ; 
basin small, often oblique, shallow, narrow, obtuse, fur- 
rowed, wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, glossy, greenish- 
yellow, mottled and blushed with red, conspicuously 
splashed and striped with bright carmine and covered 
with light bloom ; dots white or with a russet point, 
numerous and small towards the cavity, scattering, large 
and irregular towards the basin ; calyx-tube small, short, 
cone-shape ; stamens median ; core distant, truncate, 
abaxile, medium ; cells closed or open, often unsym- 
metrical ; core-lines clasping ; carpels round, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds numerous, dark, short, plump, acute ; flesh 



CORTLAND 



DELICIOUS 



25 



yellow, very firm, coarse, tender, juicy, brisk subacid ; 
fair to good ; January to June. 

CORTLAND. The fruits of Cortland are 
so similar to those of Mcintosh that the two 
varieties are certain to be confused, but each is 
distinct and the differences are all in favor of 
Cortland so that the apple is better than that 
of Mcintosh, impossible as it may seem. The 
fruits of Cortland ripen a little later than those 
of Mcintosh, keep longer, are larger, and 
brighter in color. The shape, taste, and flesh- 
characters of the two are almost identical. The 
trees are much the same. Cortland is an im- 
proved Mcintosh and as such is sought for in 
New York and New England where Mcintosh 
is chiefly grown. The variety is a cross be- 
tween Ben Davis and Mcintosh made at the 
New York Agricultiu'al Experiment Station in 
1898. The variety was distributed in 1915 and 
now promises to be a close competitor or to 
take the place of Mcintosh where the latter 
is grown. 

COX ORANGE. Cox's Orange Pippin. 
Beautiful to sight and delicious in taste, Cox 
Orange is one of the choicest of apples. Un- 
fortunately, though the fruits attain the same 
perfection here as in Europe, the trees in 
America are unthriftj' and unfruitful on stand- 
ard stocks, and must be given special care on 
a dwarfing stock. The variety is said to have 
originated in 1830 from seed of Ribston, at 
Colnbrook Lawn, Bucks, England. Introduced 
in America as early as 1850, it is as yet found 
but sparingly on the Atlantic seaboard. 

Tree medium or above, vigorous, upright, thickly 
branched, dense, with slender brandies. Leaves small 
and narrow. Fruit medium or large, uniform in size 
and shape, round-oblate, sometimes conic, regular or 
faintly ribbed, symmetrical, axis sometimes oblique ; 
stem obliquely inclined, short, thick, sometimes long ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, often russeted ; calyx 
small, closed or open ; basin shallow and obtuse to deep 
and abrupt, narrow, smooth or furrowed ; skin thin, 
tough, smooth, washed with orange-red deepening to 
bright red and mottled and splashed with carmine over 
a deep yellow background ; dots conspicuous, large, 
areolar with pale gray or russet center ; calyx-tube 
cone-shaped : stamens median ; core of medium size, 
abaxilc ; cells usually symmetrical, open or closed ; core- 
lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels thin, obovate 
to obcordate, emarginate, smooth ; seeds reddish-brown, 
large, wide, obtuse, often abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, rich, sprightly subacid, 
aromatic ; very good to best ; late September to January. 

CRANBERRY PIPPIN. The large size, 
bright color, uniform shape, good keeping 
qualities, and pleasant flavor of the fruit, with 
hardiness of tree and resistance to scab, make 
Cranberry Pippin an excellent apple for some 
localities. Unfortunately the trees do not 
bear young in some situations, and are capri- 
cious in bearing at all times, so that its local 
adaptabilities should always be determined 
before planting. Cranberry Pippin originated 
near Hudson, New York, sometime previous 
to 1845, when Downing first set forth its merits. 
Its culture is confined to New York, New 
England, and the adjoining parts of Canada. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading ; branches stout. 
Leaves dark green, large. Fruit large, round-oblate, 
symmetrical ; stem short ; cavity broad, wavy ; calyx 



closed or open ; basin deep, nisseted ; skin smooth, 
shining, light yellow, blushed, striped and splashed with 
scarlet ; dots many, large, often red-areolar with russet 
center ; flesh yellow, juicy, mild subacid ; good to very 
good ; October to February. 

DEACON JONES. The fruits of Deacon 
Jones are of large size and when well colored 
are handsome, the yellow ground-color being 
overlaid with an attractive red, relieved with 
numerous prominent dots. The apples hang 
exceptionally well to the tree, there is almost 
no waste from windfalls and culls, and they 
are uniform in size and shape. The quality is 
much better than that of Ben Davis, but hardly 
as good as that of Baldwin. A tough skin and 
firm texture make the apples good shippers. 
The tree in nursei-y and in orchard is most 
thrifty, comes into bearing young, is very pro- 
ductive, and is an annual bearer. The variety 
originated in Pennsylvania some time previous 
to 1S90. It is now grown only in New York. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading ; branchlets willowy, 
long, slender, drooping. Fruit large to very large, 
uniform in size, round-conic to oblong-conic, ribbed, 
axis sometimes oblique ; stem short ; cavity obtuse, 
shallow to deep, smooth, often prominently lipped ; 
calyx small, closed or partly open, often leafy ; lobes 
sometimes separated at the base ; basin shallow to deep, 
usually narrow, distinctly furrowed and wrinkled ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth or rough, waxen .yellow, mottled 
and blushed with red and with irregular dashes of 
carmine, in highly colored specimens deep red, with a 
bloom which gives the fruit a dull appearance; dots 
conspicuous, small and large, white, many areolar with 
russet point, numerous toward the eye; calyx-tube 
variable in size, urn-shape ; stamens median ; core 
abaxile ; cells symmetrical, wide open, very large ; 
core-lines meeting ; seeds numerouSj small, dark brown, 
plump, obtuse, irregular ; carpels much tufted, emargi- 
nate, mucronate, elongated and broadly ovate ; fiesh 
yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, 
aromatic ; fair to good ; November to March, 

DEADERICK. Ozark Pippin. Deaderick 
is a large apple with a pleasing commingling 
of yellow and green, making it rather more 
handsome than Rhode Island Greening, which 
it much resembles. The apples are inferior 
to those of Rhode Island Greening in quality, 
and do not keep so well. In Tennessee and 
other parts of the South, it is looked on with 
favor as an early winter apple. The variety 
originated in Washington County, Tennessee, 
about 1890, on the farm of Benjamin Ford. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, upright. Leaves narrow ; 
often the base of the petioles is conspicuously streaked 
with red. Fruit large, round, often conical, sometimes 
broadly ribbed, regular, uniform ; stem long, slender ; 
cavity large, acute, deep, broad, smooth and sym- 
metrical, sometimes furrowed, occasionally lipped ; calyx 
small, open or closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; basin small, 
shallow, obtuse, abrupt, smooth, wrinkled ; skin thick, 
tough, smooth, yellow usually partly covered with a 
thin pinkish-red blush upon which are red, areolar dots 
with russet or whitish centers ; commonly the dots are 
white and often submerged ; prevailing color green or 
yellow ; calj'x-tube long, funnel-form ; stamens median ; 
core abaxile, small ; cells s,vmmctrical, open ; core-lines 
clasping the base of the cylinder ; carpels thin, smooth, 
broadly round, narrowing toward the base, emarginate ; 
seeds numerous, large, wide, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid ; good ; October 
to January. 

DELICIOUS. Fig. 16. Stark Delicious. 
A few years ago, Delicious created a sensation 
in fruit-growing circles. Probably no new 
apple of recent times has been more widely 



26 



DETROIT RED 



DR. MATTHEWS 



talked about, more generally planted, or better 
received by consumers and growers alike. 
Introduced in 1895, in the short time that has 
intervened, its culture has spread tlu-oughout the 
apple districts of the United States. In the 
orchards of the West and Northwest, it has been 
extensively planted and, according to all re- 
ports, is proving a commercial success. All 
who have tasted the apple agree that its rich, 
distinctive flavor is its chief asset, although it 
has size and beauty as well. Contrary to the 
usual behavior of apples, the fruit of this 
variety seems to increase in size and color as 
the trees grow older. The variety was found in 
1881 by Jesse Hiatt, Peru, Iowa. Stark Broth- 
ers, Louisiana, Missouri, introduced it in 1895. 




16. Delicious. (XVa) 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, har(1.v, productive ; 
branches smooth, stout. Leaves large, thick, dark green. 
Fruit large, uniform, roundish-conic to oblong-conic, 
ribbed ; stem long, medium thick ; cavity deep, broad, 
often furrowed, flaring, greenish ; calyx medium, nearly 
closed, with long, narrow, acute lobes ; basin moderately 
deep, wide, abrupt, verj- strongly furrowed and corru- 
gated ; skin very thick, tough, smooth ; color light 
yellow, nearly to almost entirely overspread with dark, 
attractive red, splashed and mottled with carmine ; dots 
numerous, small, yellow ; core medium in size, axile, 
closed with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, wide 
funnel-shaped ; seeds of medium size ; flesh yellowish, 
firm, a little coarse, tender, juic.v, aromatic, pleasant 
subacid ; good to very good ; December to last of 
February. 

DETROIT RED. Detroit Black. Several 
apples have been grown under the name De- 
troit Red, but since none is of much v-alue, 
and all are passing from cultivation, it is not 
worth while to attempt to straighten out the 
nomenclatorial tangle. The description below 
makes the identification of the true Detroit 
Red an easy task. This old and unique variety 
is suppose to have been grown and dissemi- 
nated by French settlers near Detroit nearly 
two centuries ago. 

Tree large, upright-spreading or roundish. Fruit large, 
oblate-conic to round-oblate, often strongly ribbed, ir- 
regular ; stem short, slender ; cavity very large, acute, 
deep, broad to Aery l>road, frequently compressed, usually 
thinly russeted ; calyx variable, large, closed or open ; 
lobes short, broad, obtuse ; basin medium in width and 
depth, obtuse, irregularly furrowed and wrinkled and 
often with mammiform protuberances ; skin thick, tough, 
dark crimson, striped and splashed with carmine becom- 
ing almost black, sometimes having a portion of the 
greenish-yellow ground color exposed ; dots numerous, 



conspicuous, very small, pale or russet ; calyx-tube short, 
wide, broadly conical ; stamens median ; core round, 
flat, tufted : seeds large, plump, obtuse, light brown ; 
flesh white, streaked or stained witli red, coarse, tender, 
juicy, mild subacid, very aromatic ; good to very gi 
last of September to December. 

DICKINSON. Dickinson is a seedling of 
Yellow BellHower; the fruits of the offspring 
resemble those of the parent in shape and size, 
but are red instead of yellow. Though produc- 
tive, the trees are otherwise of poor h,abit, and 
the quality of the fruit is second rate. The va- 
riety was grown from seed at West Chester, 
Pennsylvania, by Sarah Dickinson, about 1875, 
and has been rather widely disseminated 
throughout the United States. 

Tree small, round-spreading, dense ; branches short, 
stout, crooked. Leaves broad. Fruit medium to large, 
somew^hat variable in size, oblong-conic, sometimes com- 
pressed or broadly angular, sides sometimes unequal ; 
stem medium to long ; cavity broad, deep, acuminate, 
BjTnmetrical or sometimes compressed, smooth ; cal.vx 
closed or sometimes open ; basin shallow to deep and 
abrupt, often oblique, somewhat furrowed and wrinkled ; 
skin smooth, light yellow or green, blu.shed and mottled 
with bright red, striped with darker red. sprinkled with 
inconspicuous, small, green and white dots ; prevailing 
effect red ; calyx-tutie funnel-form ; stamens median to 
basal ; core large, abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines clasp- 
ing ; carpels round-oblong ; seeds numerous, large, plump, 
obtuse ; flesh juicy, fine-grained, aromatic, subacid, firm, 
tender ; fair to good ; November to April. 

DOCTOR. The fruit of this variety is well- 
colored, satisfactorj' in size and shape, and of 
about the same quality as that of the Baldwin. 
The tree is but moderately vigorous, and not 
above the average in other characters, thus 
bringing the variety down to mediocrity. 
Doctor originated in Germantown, Pennsyl- 
vania, about 1800. 

Tree vigorous, open and spreading. Leaves broad. 
Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and shape, oblate, 
sA-mmetrical, angular ; stem short ; cavity acute, deep, 
wavy, sometimes lipped ; calj-x large, open ; lobes long, 
acute ; basin variable, obtuse to abrupt, often wide, 
deep, ridged and wrinkled ; skin smooth, waxen yellow, 
with a bright red blush, indistinctly marked with nar- 
row carmine splaslies ; dots green or gray ; prevailing 
effect red and yellow ; calyx-tube large, short, urn-shape 
to truncate funnel-form ; stamens basal ; core small, 
abaxile ; cells usually symmetrical, open or sometimes 
closed ; core-lines meeting or somewhat clasping ; carpels 
smooth, broadly elliptical, quite concave ; seeds medium 
in size, wide, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, 
tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; good to very 
good : December to April. 

DR. MATTHEWS. Fruit-growers in In- 
diana speak very highly of Dr. Matthews, a 
comparatively new apple in that state. The 
variet.v has the seal of approval of the Indiana 
Experiment Station and of the Indiana Horti- 
cultural Society. The two characters which 
seem to distinguish the fruit are high quality 
and length of season, the variety ripening in 
August or September and keeping until April. 
The origin of Dr. Matthews is in doubt, but it 
has been grown since 1899 in the orchards of 
the Indiana Experiment Station, where it was 
received from an unknown source in a ship- 
ment of nursery stock. The variety is de- 
scribed in circular 74 of the Indiana Experi- 
ment Station as follows: 

"Size medium, uniform ; shape roundish oblate, regular, 
sides slightly unequal, uniform ; color dull yellowish 



DOMINE 



EARLY HARVEST 



27 



green, blushed and washed with bronze red, prevailing 
effect yellowish green; skin tliiu, tough, smooth, dull, 
waxen ; dots pronounced, numerous, large to small, more 
numerous at basin, submerged, areolar ; cavity acumi- 
nate, deep, medium widih, sometimes slightly russeted, 
often compressed ; stem medium length, slender, pubes- 
cent, green ; basin medium to deep, medium width, 
abrupt, smooth, tendency to be compressed ; calyx open 
to partly closed, large ; lobes long, leafy, acute, narrow ; 
calyx-tube conical, short, wide ; stamens basal ; core 
medium, lines clasping, axile ; cells symmetrical, closed ; 
carpels elliptical, mucronate ; seeds medium sized, long, 
plump, acute, dark brown ; flesh firm, fine, crisp, tender, 
cream white, juicy, very mild, subacid, sprightly, 
aromatic, very good to best ; use dessert ; season, har- 
vested last of August, storage to February. Tree large, 
upright spreading, dense, very vigorous, healthy." 

DOMINE. English Red Streak. Domine 
is one of the choicely good apples rapidly pass- 
ing from cultivation, but still to be found in 
many old orchards. The apple is commonplace 
in color and size, but the quality is good, its 
juiciness and sprightliness making it one of 
the most refreshing of fruits, while, at the 
same time, it is rich in flavor. The tree, un- 
fortunately, is not very productive, and its 
branches break easily when heavy crops do set. 
The origin of Domine is uncertain, but it has 
been grown in America at least since 1S20. its 
culture being confined for the most part to 
the Middle Atlantic states. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, with long, spreading 
branches. Leaves long, drooping and cliaracteristically 
twisted. Fruit medium, sometimes large, oblate, some- 
times oblong and distinctly flattened at the base, sides 
often unequal, ribbed ; stem medium to long, slender ; 
cavity obtuse, wide, deep, often furrowed, usually with 
outspreading brown-russet rays ; calyx closed or open ; 
lobes long, acute ; basin pubescent, shallow to deep, 
wide or compressed, abrupt, usually furrowed ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth, bright, yellow or green mottled 
and splashed with deep pinkish-red, striped with bright 
carmine and overlaid with thin bloom ; dots pale, nu- 
merous toward the basin, toward the cavity scattering, 
large, irregular and with russet center ; calyx-tube 
funnel-shape with a wide limb and short truncate cylin- 
der ; stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; cells sym- 
metrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines meeting or 
clasping ; carpels broadly elliptical, emarginate ; seeds 
numerous, large, plump, narrow, long, acute, dark ; 
flesh yellow, firm, breaking, coarse, tender, juicy, mild 
subacid witii a peculiar aromatic flavor ; good to very- 
good ; November to March. 

DUCHESS OF OLDENBURG: See Old- 
enburg. 

DUDLEY. Dudleys Winter. North Star. 
By virtue of hardiness and productiveness, 
Dudley deserves a place in orchards in north- 
ern localities. The fruit is of the type of 
Oldenburg. The variety is not desirable except 
where hardiness is a determinant. Dudley is 
a seedling of Oldenburg, grown by J. W. 
Dudley, Castle Hill, Maine, having been first 
described in 1891. 

Tree small, vigorous, spreading and drooping, dense ; 
branches short, stout. Fruit large, uniform, round-conic 
or round-oblate, symmetrical ; stem long, thick ; cavity 
acute, deep, broad, sometimes russeted, obscurely fur- 
rowed ; calyx large, open or partly closed ; basin abrupt, 
deep, broa*!, obscurely furrowed, wrinkled ; skin thin, 
tender, smooth, pale yellow covered with a bright red 
blush, striped and splashed with carmine and covered 
with liglit bloom ; dots' scattering, light, small ; pre- 
vail ini; color red striped over yellow ; calyx-tube long 
wide, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core axile ; cells 
closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
broadly elliptical, tufted ; seeds large, wide, long, flat, 



obtuse, dull dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, crisp, fine- 
grained, tender, very juicy, aromatic, brisk subacid 
becoming mild ; ver>' good ; September and October. 

DUTCH MIGNONNE. This once valued 
general-purpose apple has served its day and 
is passing from cultivation, disappearing chiefly 
because the apples are unattractive and not 
quite good enough in quality. The trees are 
vigorous and in alternate years productive. 
The history of this old-time worthy goes back 
to 1771 — it was probably grown long before 
that date — when it was imported from Holland 
to England; thence to America about 1800. 

Tree vigorous, wide-spreading, dense ; branches short, 
stout, curved. Leaves broad. Fruit large, uniform in 
size, round-oblate, sometimes conic, often elliptical and 
broadly ribbed ; stem often characteristically long and 
slender and obliquely inserted ; cavity acute, deep, broad, 
often with outspreading russet rays and faint lines and 
flecks of dull gray scarf-skin, furrowed or sometimes 
compressed, occasionally lipped ; calyx small, closed or 
open ; basin shallow, wide, often furrowed and wrinkled ; 
skin yellow with thin orange blush, in highly- colored 
specimens deepening to orange-red, mottled and spar- 
ingly splashed or striped with carmine ; dots numerous, 
white or russet, often areolar ; prevailing effect dull 
orange-yellow ; calyx-tube large, long, conical ; stamens 
marginal ; core axile, small, closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly roundish, flat, emarginate ; seeds few, 
often long, irregular, flat, obtuse or acute ; flesh yellow, 
firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, subacid, sprightly, good 
for dessert ; excellent for cooking ; often extending to 
May. 

DYER. Golden Spice, Pomme Roy ale. White 
Spice. The creamy white, half transparent 
flesh — tender, crisp, aromatic, sprightly', and 
rich — make the fruit of Dyer the quintessence 
of the apple-orchard. The color — greenish 
yellow with a delicate blush of red — makes it 
a handsome fruit as well. Unfortunately this 
fine apple cannot be enjoyed often nor in 
quantity, nor by many, as tlie trees bear only 
biennially, and are not fruitful, vigorous, 
healthy, or hardy. The name. Dj'er, was given 
the fruit about sixty years ago, but the variety 
was cultivated during the Revolutionary War, 
and is supposed by some to be the old French 
sort. Pomme Rovale. Its culture is confined 
to the East and Middle West. 

Tree vigorous in the nursery, dwarf in the orchard ; 
comes in bearing young, but is short-lived ; productive 
biennially. Fruit medium or sometimes large, round- 
oblate, regular or obscurely ribbed ; stem lo;ig. slender ; 
cavity small, acute, deep, sometimes lipped ; calyx small, 
closed ; lobes Ion;?, recurved ; basin small, s.iailow to 
deep, furrowed ; skin smooth, pale yellow, more or less 
flecked and marbled with a brownish blush on one cheek ; 
dots dark or russet ; core of medium size ; cells open 
or closed ; core-lines clasping ; seeds numerous, plump, 
short, small, pale ; flesh yellow, fine, very crisp, tender, 
aromatic, sprightly, mild subacid, highly flavored ; very 
good to host ; September and October. 

EARLY HARVEST. Fig. 17. July Pip- 
pin. Tart Bough. Yellow Harvest. Yellow 
Juneating. As the earliest summer apple, and 
because the fruit is excellent for either dessert 
or cooking, Early Harvest should hold a wel- 
come place in every home collection. Much 
of the fruit is too small to be marketable, and 
the apples bruise badly in handling, so that 
the variety is suitable only for nearbj- markets. 
The trees are above the average in vigor, pro- 
ductiveness, hardiness, and healthfulness. Early 



28 



EARLY JOE 



ENGLISH RUSSET 



Harvest was described as long ago as 1806, and 
is probably of American origin. 




17. Early Harvest. (XVa) 

Tree medium size, moderately vigorous, upright- 
Bpreading or roundish, open. Fruit medium, sometimes 
large, uniform in size and shape, oblate to nearly, 
round, regular or slightly angular ; sides uncciual ; stem 
medium in length, thick ; cavity acuminate, shallow, 
narrow to broad, russeted, with outspreading, broken 
russet rays : calyx small, closed ; lobes long, narrow ; 
basin shallow, wide, obtuse, wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, 
smooth, clear pale waxen yellow, with deeper yellow on 
exposed cheek, sometimes slightly blushed ; dots numer- 
ous, large and small, submerged or russet •, calyx-tube 
short, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core medium, 
abaxile ; cells closed or slightly open ; core-lines clasp- 
ing ; carpels obovate ; seeds small to large, narrow, long, 
plump, acute ; flesh white, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, at 
first briskly subacid but becoming mild ; good to very 
good ; late July and August. 

EARLY JOE. The rarest and richest es- 
sence of the apple is to be found in the fruits 
of Early Joe; their crisp, tender, juicy, aro- 
matic, richly-flavored flesh is universally 
liked. Unfortunately the tree is among the 
"unmanageables," being slow of growth, attain- 
ing only medmm size, seldom fruitful, and 
producing many undersized and otherwise un- 
marketable apples. Early Joe grew from a 
seed planted m 1800 by Heman Chapin, East 
Bloomfield, New York. 

Tree vigorous, flat, spreading, dwarfish with short, 
stout, crooked branches. Fruit small, uniform in size 
and shape, oblate-conic to conic, ribbed, symmetrical ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity acute, shallow, broad, sym- 
metrical, sometimes thinly russeted ; calyx closed or 
slightly open ; basin small, shallow, medium in width, 
abrupt, smooth or wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth, 
pale yellow, irregularly and obscurely striped and 
splashed with dull, dark red, in highly colored speci- 
mens deeply blushed on the exposed cheek ; dots russet, 
white ; calyx-tube wide, broadly conical ; stamens me- 
dian ; core small, axile ; cells open or closed ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels broadly obcordate, concave ; seeds 
small, wide, short, obtuse ; flesh yellow, fine, crisp, very 
tender, very juicy, mild subacid ; very good to best ; 
August to September. 

EARLY RIPE. Early Ripe has little to 
commend it other than thriftiness and pro- 
ductiveness of tree. The apples, while of quite 
sufficient size, are not uniform in size or shape, 
and are not good enough in quality to rank 
with a half score of other August apples. It 
was first described by Warder in 1867, and 
probably originated in Pennsylvania, in which 
state it is chiefly to be found. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense ; top 
roundish, with long stout braiiches. Fruit medium to 



large, uniform in size but not in shape, round-oblate, 
sometimes conic, irregular, broadly ribbed ; stem often 
bracted; medium in length or short, thick ; cavity acute, 
shallow, broad, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, closed ; 
basin obtuse, very shallow, wide, somewhat wrinkled ; 
skin light yellowish-green ; dots numerous, small, pale 
gray or russet ; calyx-tube narrow, funnel-form ; stamens 
median; core large, abaxile; cells closed or partly open; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly roundish, emargi- 
nate : seeds plump, obtuse ; flesh white, firm, coarse, 
crisp, tender, juicy, brisk subacid, becoming mild 
subacid ; fair to good ; August. 

EARLY STRAWBERRY. Red Juneating. 
Early Strawberry is a favorite August apple. 
It merits the esteem bestowed on it by virtue 
of fruits with crisp, tender, sprightly, aromatic 
flesh ; and hard}', healthy, early-bearing, fruit- 
ful trees. The apples are too delicate to ship, 
and a high percentage of them are undersized 
and malformed, so that the variety is not a 
good general market sort. Early Strawberry 
was first known in what is now the City of 
New York, where it probably originated about 
1800 or a little later. It is now widely dis- 
tributed in eastern America. 

Tree medium in size, moderately vigorous, upright- 
spreading, hardy, healthy, coming in hearing young, 
moderately productive biennially. Fruit medium, uni- 
form in shape and size, round-conic or round, regular 
or somewhat ribbed, sides often unetjual ; stem long and 
slender, often clubbed ; cavity acute, deep, broad, sym- 
metrical, sometimes with faint radiating rays of russet; 
calyx small, closed or open ; lobes long, narrow ; basin 
small, shallow, narrow, obtuse, furrowed ; skin thick, 
tough, smooth, waxy, yellow, covered with rich dark red, 
mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with deeper 
red ; dots minute, grayish ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical with fleshy pistil point projecting into the base ; 
stamens median ; core large, axile or abaxile ; cells open, 
sometimes partly closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels 
elliptical, concave, emarginate ; seeds wide, plump, 
obtuse, dark brown ; flesh yellow often with streaks of 
red, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, subacid, aromatic, 
sprightly ; very good ; August. 

ENGLISH RUSSET. Winter Russet. 
English Russet is preeminent among apples 
because its fruits keep latest of all — often from 
one season until the next. There is little else 
to extol, since the fruits are not good ^n qual- 
ity, attractive in color, nor even up to medium 
size. The tree falls below the mark in the 
several essentials of a good apple-tree. The 
day of English Russet passed with the advent 
of cold storage. The variety is often confused 
with Golden Russet, from which it may be 
easily distinguished if their descriptions be 
closely compared. Despite its name, this is 
an American apple from southeastern New 
York, first described in 1845. 

Tree large, upright. Fruit small, uniform in size 
and shape, round, inclined to conic, regular and sym- 
metrical, sometimes faintly ribbed ; stem slender, me- 
dium in length, often streaked on one side with 
brownish-red, usually not exserted ; cavity acute to 
acuminate, narrow, deep, symmetrical or compressed, 
occasionally lipped ; calyx small, usually open ; seg- 
ments long, acute and reflexed ; basin abrupt, deep, 
narrow, symmetrical ; skin tough, varies from pale 
green to yellow more or less covered with russet, the 
base often entirely russeted ; dots inconspicuous, round 
or irregular, dark russet ; calyx-tube narrow, cone-sliape ; 
stamens basal ; core small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, 
open, sometimes closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels flat, 
round to broad-ovate, tufted ; seeds numerous, plump, 
narrow, acute to acuminate, light brown, sometimes 
tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, crisp, tender, fine-grained, 
aromatic, pleasant, mild, subacid ; good ; January to 
May. 



ENSEE 



FALL ORANGE 



ENSEE. About 1900, Ensee, introduced by 
U. T. Cox, Rockwood, Ohio, created something 
of a sensation in the horticultural press and in 
horticultural societies. It seemed especially 
worthy of trial because of the good keeping 
qualities of the fruit, and the early bearing and 
productiveness of the trees. After twenty 
years of probation, however, it is now almost 
wholly discarded except in Ohio, but two or 
three nurserymen in the country offer it, and 
there is but little demand for the trees. On 
the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station, the apples are similar to 
those of Rome, differing chiefly in being a little 
darker in color. The tree-characters of Rome 
seem to be somewhat better than those of 
Ensee, which fact, no doubt, accounts for the 
falling off in the demand for the newer variety. 




18. Esopus Spitzenburg. (X%) 

ESOPUS SPITZENBURG. Fig. IS. Eso- 
piis. Esopus Spitzenburg is one of the leading 
American apples. The fruits are unexcelled in 
quality, and are most pleasing in appearance. 
The flavor is subacid, rich, spicy, and aromatic. 
The color is a commingling of light and dark 
red laid on a rich yellow background with a 
dark red blush on the cheek to the sun, the 
whole surface being sprinkled with yellow and 
russet dots contrasting well with the red. The 
apples range from medium to large in size ; 
are beautifully formed in an oblong-conic 
mould; and are sufficiently uniform in size and 
shape to make this an ideal apple for fancy 
packages. The apples are about the best to 
eat out of hand, and very good for all culinary 
purposes as well; they withstand well all the 
usages of marketing and keep in cold storage 
until June. They are found in nearly every 
large market on the continent in season, often 
under the sobriquet "Spitz." Esopus Spitzen- 
burg, however, falls considerably below the 
mark of perfection through lack of vigor and 
health in the tree, and because of decided local 
prejudices to soil and climate which make it 
suitable only to fa-'ored localities. Unfortu- 
nately, also, blossom, foliage, and fruit are 
inviting prey to apple-scab. The variety origi- 
nated in Esopus, New York, some years 
previous to 1800, and has long been grown from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific. 

Tree open and spreading, upright, the lateral branches 
slender and drooping. Leaves narrow. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in size and shape, broad and flat at 
the base, varying from oblong to conic, obscurely 



ribbed : stem medium ; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, 
red or yellow or with outspreading rays of thin yeilowish- 
russet ; calyx small, closed or open ; basin often oblique, 
abrupt, narrow, shallow, sometimes compressed, fur- 
rowed and wrinkled ; skin tough, waxy, roughened by 
the russet dots, deep rich yellow covered with bright 
red, inconspicuously striped with darker red, marked 
with pale yellow and russet dots numerous toward tlie 
basin, larger and much elongated toward the cavity ; 
calyx-tube elongated, cone-shape ; stamens median ; core 
large, abaxile ; cells often unsymmetrical and open but 
sometimes closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels large, 
round-ovate, mucronate, tufted ; seeds large, long, wide» 
acute, dark shaded with light brown ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, aromatic, sprightly sul)acid ; 
very good to best ; November to February. 

FALLAWATER. Tulpahocken. The 
fruits of Fallawater are unique, easily recog- 
nized by their large size, globular form, and, 
in well-colored specimens, the unbroken pink- 
ish-red color on a yellow background. The 
flesh is coarse, without distinctive flavor. The 
season is more or less variable. The tree char- 
acters are usually very satisfactory, though 
productiveness is sometimes a fault, causing 
branches to break. Fallawater is at least a 
century old, having originated in Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania; it was taken by pioneers from 
its native state to the Middle West, where it 
is still widely cultivated. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright. Fruit large to very- 
large, globular, sometimes oblate, symmetrical, some- 
times slightly irregular and faintly ribbed, uniform in 
size and shape ; stem very short ; cavity acuminate, deep, 
narrow, somewhat furrowed ; calyx large, closed or 
open ; lobes variable ; basin shallow to deep, abrupt, 
sometimes furrowed, wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, 
waxy, often dull grass-green with dull blush, highly 
colored specimens yellow and blushed with bright deep 
red, often streaked with thin grayish scarf-skin ; dots 
conspicuous, white, areolar with russet point ; calyx-tube 
wide, short, cone-shape ; stamens basal ; core abaxile to 
axile, large ; cells unsymmetrical, open or closed ; core- 
lines meeting or clasping ; carpels tufted, long, narrowly 
ovate, mucronate ; seeds few, long, narrow, acuminate, 
tufted : flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
subacid to mildly sweet ; fair to good ; November to 
March or April. 

FALL JENNETING. The fruit of this 
old variety was at one time highly esteemed, 
but there are now many better sorts of its 
season. The tree is so remarkable for its vigor, 
size, health, and longevity that the variety 
should be a good parent to breed from. Con- 
necticut is given as the habitat of the original 
tree, which first fruited more than a century 
ago. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading or roundish. Fruit 
large, round-oblate inclined to conic, ribbed at the 
base, sides unequal ; stem short, thick ; cavity acumi- 
nate, deep, wide, symmetrical, with outspreading rays 
of russet ; calyx large, closed or open ; lobes long", 
narrow, acute, reflexed ; basin small, shallow, narrow, 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale 
yellow with faint brownish-red or bronze blush ; dots 
numerous, inconspicuous, sometimes russet but more 
often white and submerged ; prevailing effect yellow 
calyx-tube long, narrow funnel-shape ; stamens median 
core small, axile to abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed 
core-lines clasping ; carpels round to broadly ovate 
seeds light brown, small, narrow, plump, acute ; flesh 
yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly, subacid ; 
good ; late September to December. 

FALL ORANGE. New York Bellfiower. 
The fruits of Fall Orange are scarcely good 
enough for dessert and are so readily bruised 
in handling that they are not suitable for 



30 



FALL PIPPIN 



FAMILY 



market. Several rivals in season surpass it. 
The origin of the variety is given as Holden, 
Massachusetts, and the date as previous to 
1848. Its culture seems to be confined to New 
England and New York. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, healthy, long-lived, productive 
biennially. Fruit large, uniform in size but not in 
shape, found-conic, irregular ; stem short, slender ; 
cavity acute, deep, regular or compressed, often nisseted 
and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, open or 
closed ; basin uneven, one side projecting higher than 
the other, deep, wide, abrupt, furrowed ; skin pale 
yellow sometimes with brownish blush ; dots numerous, 
large and small, riisset or red, areolar ; calyx-tube large, 
long, conical with fleshy point projecting into the base, 
the lower part of the funnel cylinder snin-tini'- .ii- 
larged ; stamens median; core small, ;i\ih , til wii- 
metrical ; core-lines meeting when the iiH'' '.it, 

clasping when it is long; carpels elliptirjl \n .mmI:ih-; 
seeds not numerous, dark brown, plump, obtuse ; tlesii 
white, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, subacid, aromatic ; 
very good ; late September to early winter. 




19. Fall Pippin. (XVa) 

FALL PIPPIN. Fig. 19. Autumn Pippin. 
Pound Pippin. Summer Pippin. York Pippin. 
Though one of the oldest American apples, it 
is doubtful whether Fall Pippin is properly ap- 
preciated. The name is inapt, as in the North 
the fruit keeps well into mid-winter, and is of 
first rate quality to the very last. The color 
is a beautiful golden yellow, and the flesh is 
tender, rich, crisp, aromatic, and of delectable 
quality either for dessert or for culinary uses. 
The trees are hardy, healthy, long-lived, and 
veiy large; few trees carry a more majestic 
port at maturity. Unfortunately, tree and 
fruit are most inviting prey to the apple-scab 
fungus; this accounts for the neglect into 
which the variety fell a generation ago, but, 
with means of controlling the scab, its culture 
should be renewed. The habitat of the variety 
is New England, where it has been grown for 
at least a centuiy and a half. 

Tree large, very vigorous, spreading, with long branches 
■which become drooping. Fruit large or very large, 
uniform in size and shape, round to round-oblate, in- 
clined to conic, sometimes oblong and truncate, often 
obscurely ribbed ; stem long, thiclt ; cavity acute, wide, 
symmetrical or compressed, russettd ; calyx large, open ; 
lobes separated at the base, long, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin wide, abrupt, wavy, wrinkled ; skin thin, smooth, 
clear yellow, sometimes faintly blushed ; dots numerous, 
small,' pale and submerged or russet ; calyx-tube large, 
wide, long, conical ; stamens median ; core medium size, 
abaxile ; cells s.vmmetrical, closed or partly open : core- 
lines meeting or clasping ; carpels round, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds dark brown, acute, plump ; flesh yellow, 
firm, fine, tender, very juicy, agreeably subacid, aromatic ; 
verj" good ; late September to January. 



FALL WINE. Mmk Spice. Ohio Wine. 
Sweet Wine. Wine. At one time noted for its 
excellent fruits. Fall Wine has practically 
passed into oblivion. Except for the high 
quality of its protluct, the variety is but 
mediocre. Fall Wine is reported to have 
originated in Albany, New York, in 1832. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, healthy, long-lived, 
productive biennially. Fruit large, round-oblate, ribbed, 
sides often unequal ; stem long ; cavity obtuse, wide, 
deep, sometimes lipped ; calyx small, closed or partly 
open ; lobes long, narrow, reflexed ; basin deep, wide, 
abrupt, furrowed ; skin yellow washed with red which 
on the exposed cheek deepens to a bright blush, indis- 
tinctly striped with carmine ; dots yellowish-brown or 
russet ; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-form ; stamens 
median ; core medium, axile ; cells symmetrical, closed 
or open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly roundish, 
tufted ; seeds wide, acute ; flesh yellow, tender, juicy, 
aromatic, very mild subacid ; fair to good ; September 
to January. 

FAMEUSE. Fig. 20. Snow. Few apples 
are more beautiful and more refreshing than 
those of Fameuse. If the tender skin of light 
and shaded red be cut through, flesh of snowy 
whiteness rimmed and stained with crimson is 
exposed, beautiful to sight and delectable to 
smell and taste. Fameuse, commonly and 
aptly called Snow, belongs to Canada and the 
high altitudes and northern latitudes of the 
United States, where, alone, the apples reach 
perfection, and the trees attain vigor, health, 
and longevity. The variety has several serious 
faults ; thus, the apples are small and keep only 
until Christmas ; fruit and tree are inviting prey 
to apple-scab; and the trees are ven,' fastidious 
as to soils. Fameuse is of Canadian origin, with 
a history of at least 200 years. It is the parent 
of a score or more of worthy offspring. 




20. Fameuse. (XV2) 



Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with long, 
stout branches. Fmit medium size, round-conic, some- 
times oblate, regular, uniform, symmetrical ; stem 
medium to short, sometimes long, slender ; cavity acute, 
deep, wide, often gently furrowed, sometimes russeted 
but generally smooth and red or green ; calyx small, 
closed ; basin medium in width and depth, abrupt, 
obscurely furrowed or wrinkled, often having mammi- 
form protuberances ; skin thin, tender, smooth, bright 
red deepening to dark red in highly-colored specimens, 
striped toward the apex ; dots few, scattering, light ; 
calyx-tube narrow, funnel-form ; stamens median ; core 
small, axile ; cells closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
symmetrical, round or elliptical, emarginate, mucronate ; 
seeds dark, long, narrow, acute ; flesh white, streaked 
or stained with red, very tender, juicy, subacid becom- 
ing mild subacid, aromatic ; very good ; October to 
midwinter. 

FAMILY. Family has little to recommend 
it excepting its long period of ripening — a 
valuable attribute in a fruit for home use. It 



FANNY 



GIDEON 



31 



originated some time before the Civil War in 
Georgia, where alone it is of value as a sum- 
mer apple. Farther north, it is a fall or even 
an early winter fruit. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, with short, stout 
branches. Fruit small, round-oblate to round-conic, 
faintly ribbed, symmetrical, sides often unequal, uni- 
form in shape and size; stem long, slender; cavity 
acuminate, deep, narrow, sjTiimetrical, sometimes 
lipped ; calyx open ; lobes long and retlexed ; basin 
shallow, narrow, abrupt, narrowly furrowed ; skin thin, 
tough, smooth, mottled and washed with red over a 
pale yellow ground, shading to deep dark red in the 
sun, marked with many narrow and broken stripes of 
dull purplish-carmine, sprinkled with conspicuous pale 
yellow or russet dots and overspread with white bloom ; 
calyx-tube long, wide, funnel-form, often extending to 
the core ; stamens median to basal ; core abaxile, large ; 
cells symmetrical and wide open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels concave, broad-elliptical ; seeds numerous, large, 
acute to obtuse, plump ; flesti yellow, sometimes tinged 
with red near the skin, firm, crisp, fine-grained, tender, 
juicy, sprightly subacid becoming mild, pleasant in 
flavor ; good ; October to January. 

FANNY. The fruits of Fanny are beauti- 
ful and most excellent in quality, and the trees 
are very satisfactory; but the apples are so 
deficient in size and ripen over so long a period 
that the variety is of value only for the home 
orchard. Fanny originated at Lancaster. Penn- 
sylvania, with Dr. John K. Eshelman, previous 
to 1869, when Downing called attention to its 
merits. 

Tree vigorous, flat, spreading, open, with long, stout 
branches. Fruit medium size, uniform in size and 
shape, round-oblate, oblong or ovate, regular or slightly 
ribbed ; stem short, slender ; cavity acute, medium in 
width and depth, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, closed 
or partly open ; lobes short, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, wide, abrupt, furrowed ; skin thin, tender, 
smooth, yellow overlaid with bright red indistinctly 
striped with carmine ; dots small, yellow ; calyx-tube 
wide, funnel-form with pistil point projecting into the 
base ; stamens median ; core below medium, abaxile ; 
cells open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly ovate, 
cmarginate ; seeds lai^e, wide, flat, plump, acute ; flesh 
yellow, finn, fine, very tender, juicy, mild subacid ; 
good to very good ; September to November or later. 

FLORY. Flory Bellflower. Flora Belle. 
Fiory is an apple of the type of Yellow Bell- 
flower, to which it is inferior in nearly all 
characters. It originated in Montgomery 
Count}', Ohio, previous to 1872. when it was 
first described by Downing. It is now grown 
only in the Middle West, usually under the 
name Flora Belle. 

Tree vigorous, upright- spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, ovate to round-conic, often ribbed, symmetrical ; 
stem slender ; cavity acuminate, sj'mmetrical, sometimes 
lipped ; basin medium in width, deep, abrupt, somewhat 
furrowed ; calyx closed or open ; lobes narrow and acute ; 
skin tough, clear yellow, becoming deeper yellow, rough- 
ened with capillary-netted russet lines and russet dots ; 
calji-tube conical, sometimes meeting the core ; stamens 
median ; core large, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, partly 
open to wide open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels long, 
ovate ; seeds numerous, often irregular in form, small 
to large, wide, obtuse, dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, 
hard, coarse, juicy, agreeably subacid ; good in quality ; 
October. 

FLUSHING SPITZENBURG. Black 
Spitzcnburg. Flushing. This old variety, still 
grown but passing into deserved oblivion, has 
had its career prolonged by an inapt name 
which has caused it to be confounded with 
Esopus Spitzenburg. The apples are poor in 



quality, and the trees are seldom fruitful. 
Nothing is known of the early history of 
Flushing Spitzenburg, but it has been culti- 
vated since 1800, when it was fii-st described. 

Tree large, vigorous, round-headed or spreading. Fruit 
medium to large, round-conic or sometimes oblate-conic, 
obscurely ribbed, sjinmetrical ; stem short ; cavity acumi- 
nate, deep, narrow, smooth and red or greenish ; calyx 
small, closed or open ; lobes broad, obtuse ; basin narrow 
and shallow, obtuse, sometimes furrowed and wrinkled; 
skin tough, yellow, overspread with orange-red, becom- 
ing bright deep red on the exposed side, coated with 
light bloom ; dots conspicuous, white ; calyx-tube long, 
funnel-form, extending to the core ; stamens median ; 
core distant, abaxile with a wide hollow cylinder at the 
center, nearly axile ; cells symmetrical, partly open or 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels round, wide, mu- 
cronate, emarginate, somewhat tufted ; seeds dark, large, 
wide, plump, acute, sometimes tufted ; flesh yellow, 
sometimes streaked with red, firm, coarse, crisp, juicy, 
mild subacid ; good in tiuality ; October to February. 

GANS. See Black Ben Davis. 

GARDEN ROYAL. Garden Royal is a 
very good home variety for late summer and 
early autumn, but the apples are too small 
and the season is too short for commercial 
value. The fruits are regular in form and 
handsomely colored a deep yellow striped with 
orange-red and dark crimson — a most prepos- 
sessing apple. The flesh is very tender and 
aromatic and has a pleasant acid flavor. The 
variety originated at Sudbury, Massachusetts, 
over a century ago. Its cultivation is confined 
to New England and New York. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, round-headed, hardy, 
healthy, long-lived, comes into Itearing young and is 
reliable in biennial bearing. Fruit small, round ot 
oblate-conic, regular or obscurely ribbed ; stem short, 
straight, slender ; cavity acute, deep and broad, fur- 
rowed, often russeted ; calyx small, open or partly closed ; 
lobes separated, short, acute ; basin shallow, wide, obtuse, 
wrinkled ; skin thin, greenish-yellow, sometimes entirely 
overspread with red, irregularly striped and splashed 
with carmine ; dots numerous, conspicuous, often ir- 
regular, nisset or yellow ; calyx-tube funnel-shape ; 
stamens median ; core small, axile ; cells closed or 
slightly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels small, ellip- 
tical, emarginate; flesh yellow, fine, tender, juicy, 
agreeable, mild subacid, aromatic ; very good ; late 
August and September. 

GIDEON. Gideoji White. The clear 
waxen j'ellow color, heightened by a bright 
pinkish blush, makes the fruits of Gideon 
beautiful; but the quality is not good, and the 
flesh passes rapidly from maturity to decay. 
The greatest assets of the variety are hardi- 
ness, vigor, and fruitfulness. It is of value 
only where less hardy varieties cannot be 
grown. Gideon was grown by Peter Gideon, 
Excelsior, Minnesota, about 1S80 from a seed 
of a crab-apple which was thought to have 
been fecundated by pollen of Blue Pearmain. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright becoming 
spreading and open. Fruit medium to large, uniform in 
size, round-conic or ovate, sometimes oblong, angular ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity acute, deep, broad, sometimes 
russeted ; calyx small, closed ; lobes narrow, acute, 
reflexed ; basin small, sometimes oblique, sliallow, narrow, 
obtuse, wrinkled, usually with narrow ridges ; skin thin, 
glossy, waxen yellow, with pink blush on exposed 
cheek ; dots light, submerged, inconspicuous, except 
where the skin is blushed ; calyx-tube short, narrow, 
often funnel-shape with very short, truncate cylinder ; 
stamens marginal ; core axile or aliaxile ; cells closed 
or open ; core-lines meeting the limb or clasping the 
cylinder ; carpels round, broadly ovate, or elliptical. 



32 



GIDEON SWEET 



GOLDEN DELICIOUS 



emarginate, tufted ; seeds large, irregular, long, acute, 
tufted, light brown ; flesh yellow, soft, coarse, crisp, 
juicy, subacid ; fair to good ; October. 

GIDEON SWEET. Gideon Sweet is a 
variety of the Blue Pearmain group so closely 
resembling Bethel that the two are sure to be 
generally confounded. The essential differ- 
ences are that the flesh of Bethel is whiter 
and more often tmged with red, not so sweet 
nor so high in quality, and the skin is redder. 
In both varieties the stem is characteristically 
curved. The variety originated with Peter 
Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, about 1880. Its 
hardiness fits it for northern latitudes, where, 
alone, it is worth cultivating. 

Tree vigorous, wide-spreading, dense ; branches short, 
stout, crooked. Fruit large, round to conic, often 
oblate, broadly and obscurely ribbed, sides sometimes 
unequal ; stem long, curved ; cavity broad, acuminate, 
deep, indistinctly furrowed, often with green or red- 
russet rays ; calyx small, closed or open ; lobes long, 
acuminate ; basin shallow, broad, obtuse, furrowed, 
wrinkled ; skin tough, rough towards the apex, deep 
yellow or green mottled and blushed with orange-red 
sometimes irregularly splashed and striped with carmine 
and overspread with thin bloom ; dots conspicuous, yellow 
or russet, scattering ; calyx-tube large, broad, conical ; 
stamens median to basal ; core irregular, abaxile ; cells 
often unsjTnmetrical, open or closed ; core-lines meeting 
or clasping ; carpels roundish, tufted ; seeds medium to 
large, light brown, narrow, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, 
firm, crisp, coarse, juicy, aromatic, sweet ; good to very 
good ; November to April. 

GILPIN. Carthouse, Red Romanite. Ro- 
manite. Gilpin has a place in the South, 
where it is chiefly grown, by virtue of its long- 
keeping fruits. The apples hang on the tree 
until heavy frosts, and suffer little by moderate 
freezes, often remaining in good condition 
under leaves or rubbish throughout the winter. 
The tree-characters are all good. The apples 
are too small and hardly high enough in 
quality to make the variety generally desir- 
able. The birthplace of the variety is Vir- 
ginia, and its history dates back at least to 
the Revolution, though the earliest account of 
it is given by Coxe in 1817. 

Tree vigorous, round, open, spreading with short and 
drooping laterals. Fruit small, uniform in size and 
shape, round to ovate- truncate, sometimes nearly 
cylindrical, often obscurely ribbed, symmetrical or sides 
unequal, sometimes oblique ; stem short ; cavity acumi- 
nate, usually deep, broad, obscurely furrowed or com- 
pressed, sometimes lipped, often russeted ; calyx large, 
open, rarely closed ; lobes leafy, reflexed, long, acumi- 
nate ; basin oblique, deep, wide, abrupt and prominently 
furrowed but sometimes shallow and narrow or com- 
pressed, wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, glossy, greenish- 
yellow becoming deep yellow, with brownish-red cheek 
often deepening to dark red ; calyx-tube wide, short, 
truncate-funnel-shape ; stamens basal ; core axile ; cells 
symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines meeting or clasp- 
ing ; carpels round to ovate, narrowing towards apex, 
mucronate, emarginate ; seeds numerous, dark brown, 
large, plump, acute, tufted ; Hesh yellow, very firm, 
coarse, at first hard but becoming crisp and tender, juicy, 
Bubacid ; good ; February to June. 

GLADSTONE. Relationship to Oldenburg 
and Gravenstem is immediately apparent in 
the fruit of Gladstone, the apples resembling 
the latter more than the former. The variety, 
however, is hardly equal to either in guality 
of fruit or in tree-characters. It is of com- 
paratively recent introduction in America, but 
has been grown for half a century in England. 



Tree small, vigorous, spreading or drooping, with 
short, stout branches. Fruit medium to large, uniform, 
round-oblate, sometimes conic, obscurely ribbed, sides 
usually unequal ; stem medium in length, slender ; 
cavity acuminate, wide, deep, sometimes with out- 
spreading russet ; calyx large, closed or open ; basin 
small, medium in depth and width, abrupt, furrowed 
and wrinkled ; skin thin, smooth, pale yellow, thinly 
overspread with red, irregularly mottled, splashed and 
distinctly striped with carmine ; dots numerous, in- 
conspicuous, light colored, submerged ; calyx-tulie short, 
cone-shape ; stamens median ; core large, usually axile ; 
cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly roundish, emarginate ; seeds dark brown, 
very wide. Hat, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, 
tender, juicy, mild subacid ; fair in quality ; September 
and October. 

GLORIA MUNDI. American Mammoth, 
Pound. Gloria Mundi is of interest because 
its fruits are the largest of cultivated apples, 
fit, however, only for culinary' uses. All that 
is known of its history is that it was culti- 
vated in the states of the Northeast very gen- 
erally before 1804, since which time it has been 
widely distributed in the United States and 
Canada. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, long-lived, but 
not very productive. Fruit large, uniform, round with 
truncate ends, conical, ribbed, sides usually unequal ; 
stem short, thick ; cavity large, acuminate, deep, broad, 
furrowed and compressed, sometimes russeted ; calyx 
large, open or partly closed ; lobes separated at base, 
short, narrow ; basin large, deep, wide, abrupt, some- 
times with faint bronze blush ; dots small, often areolar 
with russet center, or light colored and submerged ; 
prevailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube very large, long, 
wide, broadly conical extending to core ; stamens median ; 
core large, usually abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open ; 
core-lines usually clasping ; carpels broadly roundish to 
elliptical, tufted ; seeds dark brown, small, narrow, 
short, plump, obtuse, sometimes tufted ; flesh yellow, 
coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid ; fair or good 
in quality ; October to January. 

GOLDEN DELICIOUS. There are no 
yellow dessert apples of first rate in America, 
fruit or tree of all failing in one character 
or another. Golden Delicious is now being 
introduced for this place — as a cosmopolitan 
yellow dessert apple — with the expectation 
that it will rank with the best red apples. 
Judged by its fniit-characters, the expecta- 
tions of the introducers may be realized, for 
no other yellow apple is handsomer and of 
better quality, nor possesses better shipping 
and keeping characters. It is too soon to speak 
with confidence of the trees, but it seems cer- 
tain, from their behavior in many widely 
separated regions, that they are hardy, vigor- 
ous, healthy, and productive, with no marked 
faults that have appeared as yet. The variety 
was given the Wilder Silver Medal by the 
American Pomological Society in 1920. Golden 
Delicious originated as a chance seedling in 
West Virginia in the orchard of A. H. Mullins 
about thirty years ago, and was introduced by 
Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Missouri, in 1916. 

Trees hardy, vigorous, healthy, productive. Fruiti 
large, 1\4 inches broad, 1% inches long, oblong-conic, 
uniform in size and shape, symmetrical, distinctly 
ribbed; stem l^^ inches long, slender, curved; cavity 
acuminate, broad, very deep, smooth, gently furrowed ; 
calyx large, closed ; basin narrow, abrupt, furrowed ; 
skin golden yellow, thin, smooth ; dots numerous, small, 
conspicuous, russet and submerged at tlie apex ; core 
large, open, abaxile ; core-lines distinct, clasping ; calyx- 
tube long, wide, funnel-shaped ; carpels round-oval, 
tufted ; seeds large, plump, acute ; flesh firm, crisp. 



GOLDEN PIPPIN 



GRAVENSTEIN 



33 



tender, juicy, mild subacid, rich, aromatic ; quality 
very good to best for dessert and cooking ; autumn to 
May. 

GOLDEN PIPPIN. Butter Pippin. Pound 
Royal. This name is applied to several quite 
distinct apples, of which the one here de- 
scribed is much the most important. A com- 
parison of the descriptions will show that this 
variety is very similar to Fall Pippin, and that 
it is suitable for the same uses, adapted to the 
same regions, and has the same faults. The es- 
sential differences between the two are that in 
this sort the apple is a little coarser in size, tex- 
ture of flesh, and flavor, but keeps longer, ships 
better, and has an even more vigorous and 
hardy tree. The origin of Golden Pippin is 
unknown, but it dates back a century at least. 
Its culture is confined to New York. 

Tree large, spreading, hardy, vigorous, healthy, long- 
lived and reliable in bearing. Fruit large, uniform in 
size and shape, round to round-oblate, sometimes conic. 
often with a broad, flat base and broadly ribbed toward 
the apex ; stem long, tliick, sometimes swollen ; cavity 
acute, medium in deptli, broad, usually symmetrical, 
sometimes lipped, russeted and often with heavy, out- 
spreading russet rays ; calyx large, closed ; basin deep, 
wide, abrupt, furrowed, sometimes irregularly com- 
pressed ; skin tender, green or yellow when mature, 
sometimes with bronze blush and russet flecks ; dots 
large and conspicuous, green, submerged or with russet 
point ; calyx-tube wide, conical ; stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines meeting or clasp- 
ing ; carpels round or elliptical, sometimes obovate, 
heavily tufted ; seeds few, often not perfectly developed, 
medium size, irregular, dark brown, plump, acute ; flesh 
yellow, coarse, tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; 
good to very good ; September to January. 

GOLDEN RUSSET. The fruits of Golden 
Russet are not large, but they are smooth, 
uniform, suffer little from pests, and are most 
excellent for dessert, culinary uses, evaporat- 
ing, and, of all varieties, best for cider. Be- 
sides, they keep and ship very well. The trees 
are hardy, vigorous, and usually fruitful. 
Among russet apples. Golden Russet ranks sec- 
ond only to Roxbury. There is much con- 
fusion in names of the russet apples, but a 
careful reading of the descriptions will keep 
one straight. Golden Russet is at least a 
century old in America, but when and from 
where it came is not known. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense ; branches 
long, ^ stout, with long, slender laterals which become 
drooping. Frurt medium to large, round-oblate to conic, 
sometimes elliptical, sometimes obscurely angular, 
smooth, uniform in shape and size ; stem short to very 
short, stout ; cavity wide, acuminate, often deep green 
with numerous paler green or grayish dots ; calyx large, 
closed or open ; lobes long, acute, often reflexed, some- 
times separated at the base ; basin oblique, round, 
abrupt, shallow, sometimes plaited or riljbed ; skin 
thick, tender, sometimes with patches and flecks of 
russet, more often covered with green- or vellow-russet, 
becoming golden russet with bronze cheek : "dots gray or 
russet, inconspicuous on the smooth skin ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; stamens basal ; core medium, 
abaxile, or having a wide, hollow cylinder for the axis ; 
cells often unsymmetrical, open ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels broadly-ovate, elongated, sometimes tufted, 
Bllghtly emarginate if at all ; seeds light brown with 
a red tone, small, plump, obtuse, sometimes tufted ; 
flesh yellow, flne-grained. crisp, tender, juicv, rich, 
subacid, aromatic ; very good ; December to Ap'ril. 

GOLDEN SWEET. Fig. 2L Golden 

Sweeting. Orange Sweet. Yellow Sweeting. 



Golden Sweet is a standard early variety for 
home use. The fruits are surpassed by those 
of few other sweet apples in richness and 
sweetness of flavor; while of only medium 
size, they are ver>' attractive in appearance, 
being uniform in size and shape and having a 
handsome clear yellow color. The variety is 
at least a century old, probably from Con- 
necticut, but now grown in all apple regions. 




21. Golden Sweet. (XVo) 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading or drooping, dense, 
Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round, round- 
oblate or ovate, regular or faintly ribbed ; stem very 
long, thick ; cavity acute, of medium depth and width, 
symmetrical, usually partly russeted, often with out- 
spreading russet rays ; calyx small, closed ; lobes narrow, 
acute ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth, sym- 
metrical, furrowed ; skin thin, tender, smooth, waxy, 
pale yellow; calyx-tube medium in width, cone-shape 
stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; cells often un 
symmetrical, open ; core-lines clasping the funnel cylin 
der ; carpels ovate ; seeds small, narrow, angular, acute, 
brown ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, tender, juicy, very 
sweet, aromatic ; good to very good ; mid-August to 
late September. 

GRANDMOTHER. Bogdanofj. Red Rein- 
ette. Grandmother was imported from Russia 
about 1880 and widely distributed for trial in 
the northern states. It has the usual merits 
and faults of Russian apples, and is not above 
the average in any of its characters. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, flat, open, with long 
stout branches. Fruit large, ovate to round-conic, flat 
at base, angular, sides unequal, fairly uniform ; stem 
short, thick ; cavity acute, narrow, deep, shallow or 
scarcely depressed, much russeted and often with out- 
spreading russet ; calyx large, closed ; lobes broad, acute ; 
basin deep, wide, abrupt, usually furrowed and wrinkled ; 
skin smooth, greenish-yellow, with faint blush ; dots 
numerous, inconspicuous, light and submerged, or areolar 
with dark center ; calyx-tube medium in length, wide, 
broadly conical ; stamens basal ; core small or abortive, 
axile or abaxile ; cells symmetrical, usually closed ; core- 
lines meeting ; carpels variable, irregular, broadly ovate 
or obovate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds large, dark brown, 
plump, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, very juicy, 
subacid to brisk subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; 
November to January. 

GRAVENSTEIN. Fig. 22. In America, 
all lovers of fruits value Gravenstein for its 
crisp, tender, sprightly, juicy, richly-flavored, 
aromatic apples. It is a valuable commercial 
fniit, where it succeeds, by reason of early 
bearing, productiveness, and good shipping 
qualities. The trees are vigorous but quite 
subject to sun-scald and apple-canker, and do 
not hold their load well. Unfortunately, it is 
fastidious as to both soil and climate, and is 



34 



GREEN NEWTOWN 



GREENVILLE 



grown in highest perfection in but few locali- 
ties. Nova Scotia, where it becomes a winter 
apple, seens best suited to its needs. Graven- 
stein is an old German apple which has been 
in America probably a hundred years or more; 
it was described as early as 1824. 




overlaic 
dots few, 
calyx- tube 



22. Gravenstein. {XV2) 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open. Fruit 
large, uniform in size but not in shape, ablate or round 
somewhat irregular, broad at the base, angular, narrow 
to broad, irregularly russeted ; calyx large, open 
closed ; lobes large, long, very broad, acute ; basin 
irregular, wide, obtuse to abrupt, wrinkled ; sk 
tender, rough, greenish-yellow or orange-yell 
with l>roken stripes of light and dark red 
small, light ; prevailing effect yellow striped 
large, conical ; stamens median ; core medii 
strongly abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines clasping the 
funnel cylinder ; carpels broad-ovate, emarginate ; seeds 
large, long, plump, acute, brown ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, 
crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, aromatic ; very 
good to best ; late September till early November. 

GREEN NEWTOWN. Fig. 23. Albe- 
marle. Albemarle Pippin. Green Newtown 
Pippin. Mountain Pippin. Newtown Pippin. 
Yellow Newtoum. llnfortunately, this apple 
can be grown in perfection only in certain re- 
gions, as : Hood River, Oregon ; the Albemarle 
region, Virginia ; and along the Hudson River, 
New York. By virtue of high quality, long- 
keeping and beauty of fruit, together with good 




23. Green Newtown. {XV2) 



tree-characters, Green Newtown has high 
standing in regions where it thrives. Experi- 
ments at the Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, show that it is a most excelleiit 
apple to use in breeding. Green Newtown is 
preeminently an American apple. The original 
tree came into bearing early in the eighteenth 
century, and the variety was soon widely 
grown. In 1759 samples were sent to Benjamin 
Franklin in England, where they attracted 
much attention; John Bartram, the Quaker 
botanist, soon after sent grafts to England; 



and Thomas Jefferson was growing the variety 
at Monticello in 1778. Some pomologists 
maintain that there is a Yellow Newtown, a 
distinct variety from Green Newtown; but the 
differences in color are due to differences in 
soil or climate — two varieties do not exist. 

Tree moderately vigorous, of medium size, spread- 
ing or roundish, dense. Fruit medium to large, uniform 
in size but Miriable in form and coloring, usually round- 
oblate and more or less angular, with an oblique axis, 
sometimes elliptical ; stem medium or short ; cavity 
deep, acuminate, broad or compressed, often with rays 
of russet ; calyx small, closed or nearly so ; lobes small, 
acute ; basin medium in width and depth, furrowed and 
often wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth or roughened with 
brownish-russet dots, grass-green at fruit har\'est but 
yellow later, often showing brownish-pink especially 
near the base ; dots submerged, numerous toward the 
eye, white scarf-skin over the base ; calyx-tube long, 
funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; 
cells symmetrical, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
broadly roundish or round-obcordate, emarginate, tufted ; 
seeds tufted, dark, narrow, acuminate ; tiesh yellow, 
firm, crisp, tender, fine-grained, juicy, sprightly, with 
a fine aromatic subacid flavor ; best ; February to May. 

GREEN SWEET. Green Sweeting. Honey 
Sweeting. The fruits of this excellent variety 
remain crisp and juicy until spring: from 
apple har\'est to apple blossoming, it is a 
delicious sweet apple either for dessert or 
culinary uses. The fruits run small, with the 
result that there is usually much loss from 
culls, as there is also from dropping. The tree 
is unique in its upright, compact growth, and 
in bearing fruit close to the branches on short 
laterals and spurs. The variety probably 
originated more than a century ago in New 
England, where it is still chiefly grown. 

Tree large, vigorous, compact, erect or round-topped ; 
branches stout, young branches dark green. Fruit 
medium, sometimes large, ovate to round-conic, some- 
times obscurely ribbed, regular and uniform in size ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity furrowed, deep, acuminate, 
broad, smooth or open ; lobes leafy, long, acute ; basin 
variable, medium in width and depth, abrupt, wrinkled 
and more or less obscurely furrowed ; skin green, be- 
coming yellow, with a thin brownish-red blush ; dots 
green or with fine russet point, often submerged and 
white ; prevailing color green ; calyx-tube wide, cone- 
shape ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile, open ; core- 
lines clasping or meeting ; carpels round-ovate ; seeds 
numerous, small, narrow, acute ; flesh greenish-white, 
tender, fine-grained, juicy, very sweet ; good ; December 
to April or May. 

GREENVILLE. Winter Maiden Blush. 
Greenville is a seedling of the well-known 
Maiden Blush, which it much resembles, differ- 
ing chiefly in bearing winter instead of fall 
apples. The tree is a heavy and an annual 
bearer, a light crop usually alternating with 
a heavy one. It is a good winter apple, but 
quite destitute of any characters that would 
make it stand forth preeminently. The variety 
originated on the farm of Jason Downing, 
Darke County, Ohio, in 1874, and its culture 
is confined to its native state. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, round-oblate to round-oblong, symmetrical but 
sometimes irregular or obscurely ribbed, uniform in 
shape ; stem short ; cavity acute, deep, wide, sym- 
metrical, sometimes furrowed, sometimes lipped, often 
russeted ; calyx closed or open ; lobes often long, 
acuminate; basin shallow, usually furrowed and wrin- 
kled ; skin tough, waxen, pale yellow with a red blush ; 
calyx-tulje narrow, funnel-form ; stamens median ; core 
medium, abaxile ; cells closed or partly open ; core-lines 



W" 



\ 




\ 



GRIMES GOLDEN 



HAWLEY 



35 



clasping ; carpels broadly roundish ; seeds large, light 
brown, narrow, acute ; tiesh yellow, firm, crisp, fine, 
tender, juicy, pleasant, mild subacid, sometimes 
astringent ; good ; November to February, sometimes 
extending into April. 




24. Grimes Golden (X%) 

GRIMES GOLDEN. Fig. 24. Grimes. 
Grimes Golden Pippin. In spite of several 
faults, Grimes Golden is a universal favorite 
wherever it can be grown. The outstanding 
merits of the fruits are: beautiful rich golden 
color, well-moulded form, firm but crisp and 
tender flesh, pleasantly acidulous flavor, and 
most pleasant aroma. Unfortunately, except in 
the Virginias and adjoining states, the variety 
has many faults. Thus, the apples do not de- 
velop size, color, or quality elsewhere than in a 
few regions, and, wherever grown, they scald 
badly in storage. The trees, too, are but mod- 
erately vigorous, and under most conditions 
must be classed with the "unmanageables." 
Grimes Golden originated in West Virginia 
more than a century ago; its culture is con- 
fined to the regions named, and Indiana, Illi- 
nois, and Missouri. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, drooping, dense ; 
branches short, stout, curved, crooked. Fruit medium 
to large, round-oblong, often flattened at the ends, some- 
times conic, regular, sometimee obscurely ribbed ; 
sometimes oblique, symmetrical, uniform, sides often 
unequal ; stem short ; cavity broad, deep, acute, often 
russeted ; calyx large, closed ; lobes long, reflexed, 
often separated at base : basin abrupt, deep. wide, fur- 
rowed ; skin tough, deep yellow with scattering pale 
yellow or russet dots ; calyx-tube yellow, very broad at 
the top, conical, deep ; stamens basal ; core small, 
abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines 
meeting ; cells roundifih, emarginate, concave ; seeds 
numerous, tufted, plump, acute ; flesh yellow, very firm, 
tender, crisp, coarse, juicy, subacid, rich, aromatic, 
sprightly ; very good to best ; November to January or 
February. 

GROSH. Grosh's Mammoth. Large Ratnbo, 
Ohio Beauty. Stnnmer Rambo. Western Beauty. 
The number of synonyms is usually a measiu'e 
of merit — not so in the case of Grosh. While 
the apples are handsome when well-colored, 
they are not high in quality; and the trees, 
though good in most characters, have the fatal 
fault of not being able to carry the crop, much 
of which drops prematurely. The variety is 
at its best in Ohio, where it is reputed to have 
originated about 1840; it was described first 
in 1853. 

Tree vigorous, upright -spreading, open, with long, 
Btout, cuned branches. Fruit large, uniform in size 
and shape, round-oblate to conical, regular or elliptical ; 
stem short, thick ; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, often 
compressed, smooth and green or russeted, symmetrical 



or gently furrowed, sometimes lipped ; calyx large, 
usually open disclosing the yellow calyx-tube ; lobes 
separated at the base, long, often leafy, acute ; basin 
often oblique, large, medium in depth and width, abrupt, 
somewhat furrowed ; skin thick, lough, waxy, greenish- 
yellow becoming bright yellow, washed and mottled with 
bright red and striped and splashed with carmine ; ex- 
cept in highly colored specimens, yellow predominates ; 
dots numerous, large, gray or russet, often areolar or 
white and submerged ; calyx-tube large, wide at the 
top, conical ; stamens basal to median ; core small, axile 
or abaxile with hollow cylinder in the axis ; cells 
sjTnmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels ovate, emarginate, often tufted ; seeds numerous, 
dark brown, often abortive, wide, obtuse ; flesh sliglitly 
tinged with yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, sprightly 
subacid, aromatic ; good to very good ; September to 
January. 

HAAS. Fig. 25. Fall Queen. Haas. Horse, 
Hoss. Yellow Horse. Because of early bearing, 
thriftiness, hardiness, and productiveness in 
tree, Haas has been widely planted in different 
parts of America, and is still in favor in Texas 
and other parts of the South. It might be a 
universal favorite, were it not for the poor 
quality of the fniit, which has a flavor dis- 
agreeable to many. Haas originated over half 
a century ago on the farm of Gabriel Cerre, 
St. Louis, Missouri. 




25. Haas. (XV2) 

Tree large, very vigorous, tall and upright becoming 
spreading, with long, slender branches. Fruit medium 
to large, oblate-conic, ribbed, sides usually unequal ; 
stem short, thick, often partly red ; cavity acute, deep, 
broad, usually symmetrical, covered with thin greenish- 
russet ; calyx small. clos«l ; lobes separated at base, 
short, narrow, acuminate ; basin narrow, deep, abrupt, 
smooth or furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, yellow, mottled, washed and covered wuth bright 
red or brownish-red, striped and splashed with carmine; 
dots large, inconspicuous, numerous, pale or russet ; 
prevailing effect red striped with carmine ; calyx-tube 
variable, long and wide, conical ; stamens median ; core 
medium, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open or closed.; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels round to elliptical ; seeds 
dark brown, large, plump, acute ; flesh white, often 
stained with red, firm, fine, a little tough, juicy, sprightly 
subacid, aromatic, a little astringent ; poor in quality ; 
October to early winter. 

HAWLEY. Douse. Few apples surpass 
Hawley in appearance and quality of fruit. 
The fruits are large, of the Fall Pippin type, 
made in a similar mould, and have a color of 
the same pleasing commingling of green and 
gold. But it is in quality that they become 
quite preeminent, being characterized by ten- 
derness, crispness, juiciness and fineness of 
flesh, and richness of flavor. Hawley can be 
as readily characterized by its faults as by its 
merits: the apples cannot be kept long, are 
frequently water-cored or rotten at the core; 
the trees are unproductive ; and fruit and 
foliage are susceptible to the scab-fungus. 



HIBERNAL 



HOLLAND WINTER 



Hawley originated from seeds planted by 
Mathew Hawley, New Canaan, New York, 
about 1750. It is to be found in all apple re- 
gions where there are fruit-growers of New 
York ancestry. 

Tree large, vigorous, hardy, long-lived, susceptible to 
fungi, comes in bearing late, moderately productive. 
Fruit large or very large, uniform in size and shape, 
globular, oblate or' conic, sometimes elliptical, ribbed ; 
stem medium in length, slender; cavity acyte, deep, 
wide and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, 
partly closed ; lobes often separated at the base, re- 
flexed, wide, acute ; basin deep, medium to wide, very 
abrupt, often furrowed ; skin smooth, waxy, thin, pale 
green deepening to yellow, sometimes showing a faint 
brown blush, with scattering russet dots and flecks 
especially toward the cavity ; calyx-tube large, wide, 
cone-shape, yellow or brown ; core medium ; cells closed ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels flat, tufted, round, emargi- 
nate ; seeds few, obtuse, medium in size, often abortive; 
flesh yellow, soft, tender, fine-grained, juicy, rich, mild 
subacii^ ; very good ; September to November or later. 

HIBERNAL. Romna. Hibernal ranks 
among the best of the Russian apples — one of 
the most valuable in rigorous climates in the 
United States and Canada. The fruit is but 
mediocre for dessert or cooking, but the tree 
commends the variety most highly. The tree 
is not only one of the hardiest of its type, but 
also one of the most vigorous, healthy, and 
productive, making an excellent orchard plant 
either to produce its own fruit or upon which 
to graft less hardy or less vigorous varieties. 
The varietv was imported from Russia between 
1870 and 1880. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, drooping ; branches short, 
fitout. curved, crooked and drooping. Fruit large, not 
uniform in shape or size, usually oblate-conic, often 
with sides unequal ; stem short and stout, pubescent ; 
cavity large, acute, deep, wide, furrowed, occasionally 
lipped, russeted ; calyx large, open or partly closed ; 
lobes often separated at the base, broad, acute ; basin 
large, often oblique, narrow, abrupt, furrowed and 
wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth or roughened with 
flecks of russet ; color pale yellow, with thin bloom, 
blushed and striped with bright carmine ; dots small, 
numerous, pale yellow or gray, conspicuous ; calyx-tube 
long, wide, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core small, 
iixile ; cells closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels round- 
ovate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds small, short, plump, 
otituse, dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, juicy, 
brisk subacid ; astringent ; fair to good ; September 
to January. 

HILAIRE. St. Hilaire. Hilaire is a seed- 
ling of Fameuse, from which it differs in bear- 
ing fruits a little larger, which keep longer 
.and have a more acidulous flavor. Like 
Fameuse, Hilaire is of Canadian origin, having 
come from St. Hilaire, Quebec, about 1875, 
where it originated on the farm of Alexis 
Dery. Its culture is largely confined to the 
French settlements in Canada. 

Tree large, vigorous. Fruit medium to large, uniform 
in size, oblate or round-oblate, irregular ; stem medium, 
slender ; cavity acuminate, deep and broad, not russeted, 
symmetrical ; calyx medium, usually closed ; lobes broad, 
obtuse ; basin shallow, wide, abrupt, wrinkled, sym- 
metrical ; skin thin, tender, smooth, pale yellow over- 
spread with red, covered with faint bloom, stripes 
obscure; dots very numerous, small, red, sometimes gray 
or russet ; prevailing effect brilliant red deepening to 
dark red ; calj'x-tube long, narrow, funnel-shape ; stamens 
median ; core axile, small ; cells closed or partly open ; 
core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels round, 
emarginate ; seeds dark, numerous, large, wide, obtuse 
to acute ; flesh white tinged with red, fine, crisp, tender, 
juicy, sprightly subacid ; good to very good ; November 
to January. 



HOADLEY. Hoadley is an apple of the 
Oldenburg group, differmg from Oldenburg 
chiefly in ripening its crop a month later. The 
apples are not as high in quality as those of 
Oldenburg. The variety originated in Wis- 
consin about 1890, and its culture is chiefly 
confined to its native state. 

Tree vigorous, upright -spreading. Fruit large, some- 
times very large, round-oblate or conic, angular, sides 
unequal ; stem short, thick ; cavity acute, deep, broad, 
symmetrical, thinly and irregularly russeted ; calyx 
large, closed or partly open ; lobes long, broad, acute 
to obtuse ; basin deep, narrow, wide, abrupt, furrowed ; 
skin thick, tough, yellow overspread with bright red, 
mottled and irregularly striped and splashed with 
carmine ; dots inconspicuous, submerged, pale ; calyx- 
tube variable, short, wide, funnel-shape ; core of medium 
size, abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels 
broadly cordate or elliptical, tufted ; seeds wide, long, 
plump, obtuse, dark colored ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
crisp, tender, very juicy, brisk subacid ; good ; late 
September to November. 

HOLLAND PIPPIN. French Pippin. 
Summer Pippin. Holland Pippin is often con- 
fused with Holland Winter and Fall Pippin. 
The following differences distinguish it from 
these two: Holland Pippin is a fall apple, 
while Holland Winter is in season in winter. 
Holland Pippin is a culinary fruit, while Fall 
Pippin is a choice dessert apple. Of the two, 
Holland Pippin is the earlier, going out of 
season soon after Fall Pippin begins to ripen. 
Holland Pippin is the greener fruit of the 
two, Fall Pippin being fit to use only when 
it IS a golden 3'ellow in color. The stalk of 
Holland Pippin is short and set in a wide 
cavity, while that of Fall Pippin is long and 
set in a narrow cavity. The trees of both 
varieties are much the same in habit and 
both are exceptionally satisfactory. Tlie origin 
of Holland Pippin is unknown, but it has been 
grown in America over a century, its culture 
extending from the Atlantic westward to 
Michigan and Indiana. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading or round-topped. Fruit 
large or very large, uniform in size and shape, round or 
oblate-conic, obscurely ribbed ; stem short, usually slen- 
der ; cavity acute, medium in width, shallow, usually 
covered with thick outspreading russet ; calyx pubescent, 
small, closed or partly open ; lobes long, acute ; basin 
shallow to deep, narrow, abrupt to obtuse, ridged and 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow with 
brownish-red blush which is conspicuously marked with 
large irregular, areolar dots ; dots numerous, large and 
small, often submerged ; calyx-tube wide, liroadly 
conical ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells un- 
symmetrical, open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; 
carpels broad, narrowing toward base and apex, emargi- 
nate, tufted : seeds narrow, acute ; flesh wliite, coarse- 
grained, crisp, tender, very juicy, brisk subacid ; good 
to very good ; September to October. 

HOLLAND WINTER. Several apples 
pass under the name Holland Winter. The 
one which is supposed to have received the 
name first, and which is here described, is very 
similar to Rhode Island Greening. The fruits 
of Holland Winter are not ecjual to those of 
Rhode Island Greening in quality for either 
dessert or culinary use, but keep better and 
do not scald so badly in storage. The trees 
are vigorous, healthy, fruitful and usually bear 
annually. The variety is supposed to have 
come from the Holland district of Lincoln- 
shire, England, and is at least two hundred 



HUBBARDSTON 



HURLBUT 



37 



years old. When it came to America is not 
known, but it has been long grown in eastern 
America. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open ; branches long, stout. 
Fruit medium to large, round-conic, s^-mmetrical, regular 
or sometimes ribbed ; stem short and thick ; cavity acute, 
large, furrowed, occasionally with thin, outspreading 
russet rays ; calyx small, closed or open ; basin shallow, 
occasionallj' deep and abrupt, furrowed, wrinkled ; skin 
tough, waxy, smooth, pale green often witii a faint, 
dull blush ; dots numerous, large, conspicuous, sub- 
merged, white, mingled with a few fine russet points ; 
calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; 
core of medium size, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open 
or partly closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels round to 
elliptical, broad, tufted ; seeds short, plump, obtuse ; 
flesh white, firm, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, subacid, 
with mild pleasing aroma ; good ; December to May. 




26. Hubbardston. (X^) 

HUBBARDSTON. Fig. 26. American 
Blu^h. Hubbardston Nonsuch. Nonsuch. Hub- 
bardston, under favorable conditions, is a most 
excellent apple. The fruits are of large size, 
handsome color, good enough for dessert, 
smooth, uniform, and are prodviccd abundantly 
on a vigorous tree. Unfortunately, several 
faults condemn the variety for general culture. 
The apples, very' good for dessert, are not at 
all suitable for culinary uses. The variety is 
so variable on different soils and in different 
climates in both tree- and fruit-characters as to 
be unsatisfactory. Thus, very often, the trees 
do not hold the crop well, the apples are under- 
sized, poorly colored, drop badly; the crop 
does not keep its allotted time, and the trees 
suffer from winter injury. The variety takes 
its name from Hubbardston, Massachusetts, 
where it originated at least a century ago, 
and whence it has been widely disseminated 
throughout northern United States. 

Tree vigorous, lars^e, erect, spreading, dense. Leaves 
small, narrow, incurved. Fruit medium to large, round- 
ovate to round-conic, characteristically rounded toward 
the cavity, symmetrical, often obscurely ribbed ; stem 
short ; cavity deep, acute, symmetrical, sometimes fur- 
rowed, russeted ; calyx small, open or closed ; basin 
narrow, shallow to deep, furrowed, often marked with 
concentric flecks of russet in and about the basin ; skin 
smooth or more often roughened with dots, flecks and 
fine veins of russet, covered with faint bloom ; color 
yellow, blushed and mottled with red which varies from 
dull brown to bright red. more or less marked with 
carmine ; dots pale or russet, often large and irregular, 
conspicuous on the red portions of the fruit ; calyx-tube 
medium in length, broad, cone-shape ; stamens median ; 
core small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed or partly 
open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels broad, 
round, emarginate. tufted ; seeds numerous, small, short, 
plump, acute, light brown ; flesh yellow, firm, breaking, 



fine-grained, tender, crisp, juicy, aromatic, rich, at first 
sprightly but becoming mild subacid ; very good to best ; 
October to January. 

HUNT RUSSET." Golden Russet. New 
England Russet. Russet Pcarmain. Hunt Rus- 
set, a favorite of a centur>' and a half ago but 
now no longer planted, is fovmd in many old 
orchards in New England and New York. The 
fruits are attractive, of excellent quality, and 
keep remarkably well. The variety takes its 
name from a Mr. Hunt upon whose farm, near 
Concord, Massachusetts, it originated. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit medium or 
small, uniform, oblate to conical, often elliptical, uniform 
in shape ; stem short, slender ; cavity large, acute, deep, 
broad, sometimes furrowed and compressed ; calyx partly 
open or closed ; lobes medium in length, broad ; basin 
deep to shallow, narrow to wide, abrupt, furrowed ; skin 
thin, tender, golden-russet or with red-russet cheek ; 
dots numerous, gray or russet ; calj-x-tube long, funnel- 
shape ; stamens basal ; core small, axile ; cells sj-m- 
metrical, closed; core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder; 
carpels round to elliptical, emarginate ; seeds dark, 
medium in size, plump, usually obtuse ; flesh yellow, 
fine, tender, juicy, subacid, sprightly becoming mild ; 
very good to best ; January to April or later. 

HUNTSMAN. Huntsman's Favorite. 

Huntsman produces an excellent apple in ap- 
pearance and quality, which sells as a fancy 
fruit in Missouri, Kansas, and nearby regions. 
The handsome color and delectable quality of 
the fruit, however, are offset by several serious 
faults, as: susceptibility to the scab and bitter- 
rot fungi ; sun-burning of the fruit ; and lateness 
in coming into bearing. These faults have 
kept the variety from becoming an apple of 
commercial importance. Huntsman originated 
on the farm of John Huntsman, Fayette, Mis- 
souri, sometime previous to 1872, when it was 
first described by Downing. 

Tree vigorous, upright, open ; branches long, straight, 
slender ; intemodes very short. Fruit large, round-oblate, 
conical, somewhat irregular, obscurely angular ; stem 
short, thick ; cavity acute, deep, broad, sometimes 
russeted, frequently furrowed, sometimes compressed ; 
calyx small, closed ; lol)es short, narrow, acute ; basin 
very abrupt, deep, narrow, usually deeply furrowed ; 
skin thick, tender, yellow, often with an orange-red 
blush which sometimes deepens to distinct red ; dots 
small, inconspicuous, pale, submerged, numerous ; calyx- 
tube usually extends to the core, cylindrical ; stamens 
marginal; core small, abaxile; cells often unsymmetrical, 
open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels elliptical, deeply 
emarginate, someMmes tufted ; seeds irregular in shape, 
dark brown, wide and long, plump, obtuse; flesh yellow, 
firm, coarse, tender, juicy, mild subacid with a dis- 
tiitct pleasantly aromatic flavor ; good to very good ; 
December to April. 

HURLBUT. Hurlbnt Stripe. Hurlbut is 
one of the many mediocre apples having just 
sufficient merit to keep them in the limbo of 
the nurserj-men's catalogs. It will be seen 
from the description that fruit and tree of 
Hurlbut are good but in no case superior. 
The variety originated at Winchester, Con- 
necticut, nearly a century ago on the farm of 
General Leonard Hurlbut. Its cultivation has 
not spread far from the place of its nativity. 
It was first described by Cole in 1849. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate to oblate- 
conic, angular, symmetrical ; stem short, slender ; cavity 
acute, shallow, medium in width, symmetrical or com- 
pressed, usually closed ; lobes long, narrow, acute ; 



INGRAM 



basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, smooth or wrinkled ; 
skin thick, tough, smooth, greenish-yellow overspread 
with brownish-red or dull red, splashed and striped with 
carmine ; dots scattering, inconspicuous, usually sub- 
merged, sometimes russet ; calyx-tube very short, wide, 
truncate conical with fleshy pistil point projectmg into 
the base ; stamens marginal ; core of medium size, 
abaxile ; cells wide open to closed ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels round ; seeds numerous, large, wide, long, plump, 
acute ; flesh white or yellowish, firm, fine, tender, crisp, 
very juicy, aromatic, mild snbacid ; good to very good ; 
October to January. 

INGRAM. Ingram Seedling. Ingram is re- 
markable for two qualities— late-blooming, and 
late-keeping fruits. It is a seedlin" of Ralls, 
which it much resembles except for larger and 
more brightly colored apples. The fruit is but 
mediocre, and the variety has small value ex- 
cept when a tree is wanted which blooms late 
or an apple which keeps long. This variety 
has attracted much attention in the Southwest, 
especially in the Ozarks, but promises little in 
other regions. Ingram originated in the or- 
chard of Martin Ingram, Springfield, Missouri, 
about 1850. 

Tree vigorous, upright, dense, with long, stout 
branches. Fruit medium, sometimes large, round-conic 
to round-oblate, sj-mmetrical ; stem short, varying from 
thick and swollen to slender; cavity acuminate, from 
medium in depth and width to deep and broad, some- 
times partly russeted, obscurely furrowed ; calyx large, 
open ; basin regular, deep, narrow, abrupt ; skin thick 
and tough, smooth, pale yellow, washed, mottled and 
striped with two shades of red and clouded with white 
scarf-skin over the base ; dots numerous, white areolar 
with russet center, conspicuous ; calyx-tube conical ; 
stamens basal ; core small, axile ; cells symmetrical, 
closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels round, tufted ; seeds 
wide, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, and hard but 
becoming crisp and tender, juicy, very mild subacid, 
aromatic ; good to very good ; February to June. 

IOWA BLUSH. This variety is briefly 
described by nurserymen of Iowa and Ne- 
braska, who speak of it in superlative terms. 
It seems not to be known elsewhere. The 
author has been unable to learn its history, 
other than that it has been grown in the states 
named for at least twelve years. The tree is 
described as very vigorous and productive, but 
only second-hardy, not thriving in the Da- 
kot'as and northern Minnesota. The fruit is 
medium in size, round-conical, pale yellow 
with a red cheek. The flesh is yellowish, 
subacid or tart, rich and good. The season is 
November to Februarj'. 

JACOBS SWEET. Jacobs Winter Sweet. 
Jacobs Sweet has many of the qualities which 
have made its more widely-known rival, Sweet 
Bough, a universal favorite. The apples of the 
two, in color, form, and texture are much alike. 
The fruits of this variety are veiy tender, crack 
easily, and are susceptible to the scab-fungus. 
Add to these faults, unreliability in keeping 
and great variability in season, and it may be 
seen why Sweet Bough is generally thought 
to be the better apple. The variety is best 
known in New England, where it originated 
at Medford, Massachusetts, about 1860. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading. Fruit 
medium to large, round, inclined to conic, sometimes 
oblate, symmetrical ; stem short ; cavity wide, deep, 
acute, sometimes furrowed or compressed, seldom rus- 
seted : calyx closed or partly open ; basin often abrupt, 
round, medium in width and depth ; skin tough, waxen. 



JERSEY SWEET 

glossy, yellow with a bright blush ; dots obscure white 
or russet ; calyx-tube cone-shape ; stamens median ; 
core large, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open or partly 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels large, round to 
broad-obovate ; seeds numerous, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, very tender, crisp, juicy, aromatic, very sweet ; 
good ; October to April. 

JEFFERIS. Jefferis is one of the best fall 
apples — fruits tender, pleasantly acidulous, 
rich, delicious. The trees, too, are satisfactory 
in all respects. But the apples ripen unevenly, 
are not attractive in color, and lack both size 
and uniformity, qualities which condemn thg 
variety for any but the home orchard, where 
it is most deserving of a place. Jefferis origi- 
nated with Isaac Jefferis. Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, and is first recorded in 1848. It 
is grown in all of the eastern states. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, open. Fruit 
small, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate, conic, 
regular or oliscurely ribljcd ; stem of medium length, 
thick ; cavity acute, medium in depth, broad, sym- 
metrical ; culyx small, closed or open ; lobes short, broad, 
acute ; basin shallow to deep, wide, abrupt, smooth, 
symmetrical ; skin thin, tougli, pale yellow, blushed and 
mottled with dull red overlaid with narrow splashes and 
stripes of carmine ; dots small, scattering, inconspicuous, 
submerged or russet ; calyx-tube narrow, conical ; stamens 
marginal ; core small, axile ; cells open ; core-lines clasp- 
ing ; carpels elliptical, emarginate, sometimes tufted ; 
seeds numerous, large, wide, long, flat, very irregular, 
obtuse ; flesh yellowish- white, firm, fine, crisp, tender, 
very juicy, mild, subacid ; very good ; September to 
January. 

JERSEY SWEET. Fig. 27. American. In 
spite of faults, there is much in the fruit of 
Jersey Sweet to commend it for home use and 
local markets. Its faults are: susceptibility to 
the scab-fungus, early decay, and failure to 




27. Jersey Sweet. {XV2) 

color well in most environments. To offset 
the faults, the quality is of the best, making 
a good sweet apple for either dessert or 
cooking. The tree-characters are excellent. 
The origin of the variety is unknown, but it 
has been listed in pomologies since 1845. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright or round-topped, open ; 
branches long, stout, filled with spurs. Fruit medium 
size, round-ovate, conic or oblate-conic, sides unequal ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity acute, deep, medium in width, 
occasionally lipped, nisseted ; calyx small, closed ; lobes 
long, narrow, acute ; basin small, shallow, narrow, 
abrupt, ribbed and wrinkled ; skin fine, tender, yellow 
washed and mottled with brownish-red and overlaid with 
narrow stripes of carmine ; dots inconspicuous, greenish, 
submerged ; calyx-tube narrow, conical, often with fleshy 
pistil point projecting into the base ; stamens median ; 
core large, axile ; cells symmetrical, usually closed ; 
core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels elongated- 
ovate, tufted ; seeds large, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, 
crisp, tender, juicy, sweet ; good to very good ; September 
to December. 



JEWETT RED 



KESWICK 



39 



JEWETT RED. Fig. 28. Nodhead. 
Jewett Red is an early winter apple of the 
Blue Pearmain type, more or less grown and 
highly esteemed in parts of New England. 
The apples are handsomely colored — dark red 




28. Jewett Red. (XV2) 

covered by a heavy, blue bloom; and the 
quality is excellent, the flavor being a pleasing 
mingling of sweet and sour. The trees are 
precocious in bearing, but grow slowly, and 
are seldom productive. The variety originated 
at HoUis, New Hampshire, early in the nine- 
teenth century. 

Tree small, spreading, open ; branches short and stout 
with few laterals and numerous spurs. Fruit of medium 
size, uniform in size and shape, round-ohlate, sides 
unequal, obscurely ribbed, often irregular ; stem short ; 
cavit.v variable, acute, shallow, wide, furrowed ob- 
scurely, green or russeted, sometimes lipped ; calyx 
small, open or partly closed ; lobes broad, short, obtuse ; 
basin shallow, wide, obtuse, obscurely furrowed and 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, dark red over yellow 
background, often deepening to purplish-red and obscurely 
marked with broken stripes and splashes of carmine ; 
dots numerous, conspicuous, pale yellow with character- 
istic scarf-skin overspreading the i>ase ; prevailing etTect 
deep red ; calyx-tube narrow, funnel-form ; stamens 
median ; core axile ; cells closed or open ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels oval, elongated, emarginate ; seeds 
numerous, clear reddish-brown, small ; flesh yellow, fine, 
tender, juicy, pleasantly aromatic, mild subacid ; good 
to very good ; October to February. 

JONATHAN. Fig. 29. Jonathan has a 
world-wide reputation, and the apples by gen- 
eral consent are placed among the very best 
in both appearance and quality. Though only 
medium in size, the fruits are large enough for 




29. Jonathan. (XV^) 

a dessert apple. The brilliant red skin, indis- 
tinctly striped with carmine and underlaid with 
pale yellow, contrasting with the nearly white 
flesh; and the shapely, round-conic, smoothly 
and regularly turned form, make it one of the 
most attractive apples. The flesh is firm, crisp, 
tender, juicy, not especially rich in flavor, but 
peculiarly sprightly and refreshing, having a 
distinct and most pleasing aroma. The season 



is from November to January, longer in cold 
storage, with the greatest demand at Christ- 
mas. Unfortunately, when the apples are kept 
long in either common or cold storage, dark 
spots develop in the skin which greatly mar 
their appearance. The trees are usually hardy, 
vigorous and productive, and very accommo- 
dating as to soils and climates, requiring, how- 
ever, a fertile soil, and developing fullest per- 
fection in cool climates. The variety is an 
inviting prey to insects and fungi, and the 
trees must be carefully sprayed. Jonathan is 
grown best in parts of the Middle West and 
the Pacific Coast states. The variety origi- 
nated on the farm of Philip Rick," Ulster 
County, New York, about 1800, and the name 
commemorates Jonathan Hasbrouck, who had 
the honor of first calling attention to this 
excellent apple. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, round or spreading, 
drooping, dense. Leaves small, narrow. Fruit small, 
rarely large, round-conic to round-ovate, often truncate, 
regular, uniform in shape and size ; stem medium to 
long, slender ; cavity acute, deep to very deep, alirupt, 
narrow ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow striped 
with carmine, covered with red which deepens on the 
sunny side, often showing contrasting bits of pale yellow 
about the cavity ; dots minute, inconspicuous ; calyit-tube 
small, funnel-shape ; stamens basal ; core small, axile ; 
cells symmetrical but often not uniformly developed, 
usually closed ; core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; 
carpels concave, round to round-cordate, emarginate, 
smooth ; seeds large, long, acute, dark, numerous ; flesh 
yellow, sometimes with a tinge of red, firm, fine, crisp, 
tender, juicy, very aromatic, sprightly subacid ; very 
good to best ; November to January. 

JULY. August. Fourth oj July. July, in 
fruit, is almost a facsimile of the well-known 
Tetofsky, which surpasses it in tree-characters, 
in which the two are quite distinct. It is an 
old Russian variety introduced into America 
sometime previous to the Civil War as an 
apple suitable for cold regions. 

Tree vigorous, upright, roundish, dense. Fruit medium, 
uniform in shape but not in size, round-conical, irregu- 
larly ribbed, sides often unequal ; stem long, slender, 
often bracted : cavity acuminate, deep, medium, furrowed, 
thinly russeted ; calyx large, usually closed ; lobes nar- 
row, acuminate ; basin shallow to medium, narrow, 
abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tougli, smooth, 
glossy, pale yellow washed and mottled with red, striped 
and splashed with carmine and overspread with bloom ; 
dots small, numerous, submerged, inconspicuous, lights 
areolar ; calyx-tube variable in length, funnel-shape ; 
stamens median ; core medium, axile ; cells closed ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels round-ovate or elongated- 
ovate : seeds dark dull brown, wide, short, plump, 
obtuse : flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
sprightly subacid ; fair to good ; July to September, 

KESWICK. Keswick Codlin. This is an 
English apple of small value in .'\merica. The 
variety may be recommended more for its tree- 
than its fruit-characters. It was brought to 
America and widely disseminated early in the 
nineteenth century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit large, 
round-conic or oljlong-conic, broad at the base, ribbed, 
sides frequently unequal ; stem short, slender to thick ; 
cavity variably acute, shallow, narrow, russeted ; calyx 
closed ; lobes long, medium in width, acuminate ; basin 
shallow, narrow, furrowed or angular, often with fleshy 
protuberances alternating with the calyx-lobes ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, waxy, yellow, sometimes with a 
faint blush and often with a suture line extending out 
from the cavity ; dots submerged, inconspicuous or rus- 



40 



KING 



LADY SWEET 



set : calyx-tube wide, bluntly cone-shape ; stamens 
median ; core variable, large, abaxile ; cells wide open ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels variable, round-ovate ; seeds 
light brown, small, short, plump, acute ; flesh white, 
fine, tender, juicy, brisk subacid ; fair to good ; August 
and September. 

KING: See Tompkins King. 

KING DAVID. Fig. 30. This apple is a 
cross between Jonathan and Arkansas Black, 
resembling both parents in one or more 
characters. The trees are equal to either in 
hardiness, productiveness, vigor, and health. 
The apples are about the size of those of Jona- 
than and even better colored, as beautiful as 
any in the orchard; for added to the deep, 
solid, red color are rotundity in shape and uni- 
formity in size ; these three qualities give the 
fruits an almost perfect appearance. The ap- 
ples hang long on the tree, all the while deep- 
ening in color, but for late keeping should be 
picked as soon as overspread with red and 
before the seeds are w'ell ripened. The flesh 
is firm, fine, crisp, tender, spicy, and juicy. 
The chief fault of the fruit is a tendency to 




30. King David. {XV2) 

decay at the core, especially when over-ripe. 
King David was found growing in a fence-row 
in Washington County. Arkansas, in 1893, and 
was introduced by Stark Brothers, Louisiana, 
Missouri, in 1902. 

Tree vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive ; branches 
long, moderately stout. Fruit of medium size, round-oblate 
to oblate-conic, slightly ribbed ; stem medium in length, 
slender ; cavity moderately deep and broad, usually rus- 
seted ; calyx small, closed ; basin medium in depth, 
somewhat abrupt, furrowed; skin thin, tender, smooth; 
color pale greenish-yellow, almost entirely overspread 
with a very attractive deep, dark red, changing to 
scarlet ; core rather large, open, abaxile, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-shaped ; flesh 
distinctly yellow, firm, crisp, moderately tender, juicy, 
brisk subacid, spicy and aromatic ; quality good to very 
good ; November to February. 

KINNAIRD. Kinnaird's Choice. Kin- 
naird's Favontt. Kinnaird is an attractive, 
dark-red apple similar to Winesap in size, 
quality, color, and season. The variety origi- 
nated at Franklin, Williamson County, Ten- 
nessee, and is now grown only in its native 
and neighboring states. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, irregular ; 
branchlets slender. Fruit medium to large, oblate to 
conic, flat at the base, obscurely ribbed, sides sometimes 
unequal ; stem not exserted, short, thick ; cavity very 
wide, deep, acute, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, 
closed or partly open ; basin wide, deep, abrupt, gently 
furrowed, often oblique ; skin thick, tough, smooth, 
yellow, mottled and bluslied with red, in the sun deep 




31. Lady. (XV2) 



red ; dots numerous, small, white, elongated towards the 
cavity ; prevailing effect dark red ; calyx-tube conical, 
short to cylindrical and deep, sometimes extending to 
the core ; stamens marginal ; core small, axile ; cells 
symmetrical, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels ob- 
cordate, emarginate, concave, tufted ; seeds short, wide, 
plump ; flesh yellow, crisp, flne or a little coarse, agree- 
ably subacid, aromatic ; good to very good ; season, 
November to March. 

LADY. Fig. 3L Api. Christmas Apple. 
This variety is known wherever apples are 
grown, usually, except in America, under the 
name Api with some 
modifying term. Its pop- 
ularity is due to its beau- 
tiful miniature fruits 
which are of highest 
quality, most suitable 
for dessert and for dec- 
orative purposes. The 
apples keep well until 
April or May, but are in 
greatest demand during 

the holiday season. The trees are not very 
satisfactoiy, being small, very dense in growth, 
unproductive, and come in bearing late. The 
fruit is borne in clusters on short spurs and 
hangs well to the tree. The variety is very 
susceptible to the apple-scab fungus. Lady 
has been in cultivation in France, under the 
name Api, for over three hundred years, and 
was one of the first European apples to be 
brought to America. 

Tree vigorous, dwarf, dense, erect ; branches erect, 
slender, lleaves narrow. Fruit very small, uniform in 
size and shape, oblate to round-conic, obscurely ribbed, 
symmetrical ; stem slender ; cavity large and wide, 
obtuse, shallow, gentlj' furrowed, sometimes thinly rus- 
seted : calyx small, closed ; lobes small, acute ; basin 
wide, shallow, obtuse, narrowly ridged and wrinkled ; 
skin thick, tough, smooth, glossy with a deep red blush 
which is often irregularly and sharply outlined against 
the pale yellow ground-color ; dots white or with russet 
points, inconspicuous ; calyx-tube conical with short, 
truncate cylinder ; stamens marginal ; core small, axile ; 
cells s^Tnmetrical, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
smooth, round or elliptical, emarginate, mucronate ; 
seeds plump, wide, obtuse, completely filling the cells ; 
flesh white, firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, juicy, 
aromatic, mild subacid ; good to very good ; December 
to May. 

LADY SWEET. Pommeroy. Lady Sweet 
has few rivals among sweet apples in its season. 
The fruits are superior in size, color, flavor, 
and keeping qualities. The trees come in 
bearing young and bear regularly and heavily, 
though they are not remarkably vigorous, are 
short-lived, and often suffer from winter injurj'. 
Fruit and foliage are quite susceptible to 
apple-scab. The season is from late autumn 
to late spring. Lady Sweet originated near 
Newburg, New York, and was brought to no- 
tice by Downing in 1845. It is a general 
favorite in the North Atlantic states and the 
Middle West. 

Tree upright-spreading, vigorous. Leaves narrow, 
small, ovate. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, 
round-conic, often approaching oblong-conic, irregularly 
elliptical, often ribbed, symmetrical ; stem short ; cavity 
acute, deep, narrow, sometimes wide, gently furrowed, 
often russeted, sometimes lipped ; calyx small, closed, 
pubescent ; basin small, narrow, shallow, abrupt, fur- 
rowed ; skin thin, smooth, yellow overspread with bright 
red splaslied with carmine, mottled and striped with 
white scarf-skin about the cavity ; dots conspicuous, pale 



LATE STRAWBERRY 



LIMBERTWIG 



areolar with russet point or submerged, numerous toward 
the basin ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens basal ; core 
small, axile to 'abaxile ; cells not uniformly developed, 
closed ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels broad, 
round to round-ovate, mucrotiate, sometimes emarginate, 
tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, 
sweet, with a distinct and pleasant aroma; very good to 
best ; November to April or May. 

LATE STRAWBERRY. Fig. 32. Au- 
tumn Strawberry. Fall Strawberry. The tme 
Late Strawberry is one of the best dessert 
apples of its season. It is. however, an apple 
only for the home orchard. Its reputation 
has suffered because of confusion in nomencla- 
ture, several distinct sorts being grown as Late 
Strawberry. The variety is debarred from 
commercial plantation because of the small 




32. Late Strawberry. (XV2) 

size of the fruit and the long period of ma- 
turity, which makes several pickings necessary. 
The ' beauty and high quality of this apple 
should make it a favorite in orchards planted 
for choicely good fruit. The variety origi- 
nated at Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, 
and was first described in 1848. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
hardy, healthy, long-lived, yielding regularly and heavily. 
Fruit small, uniform in size and shape, round or oblong- 
conic, sometimes strongly ribbed, irr^ular ; stem long, 
slender, often curved ; cavity acuminate, deep, broad, 
furrowed, sometimes with thin radiating streaks of 
light russet mingled with carmine ; calyx large, open ; 
lobes often separated at base, short, acute, erect or 
retlexed ; basin deep, wide, abrupt, furrowed and wrin- 
kled ; skin pale yellow often almost entirely overspread 
with bright red, dotted and streaked with purplish-car- 
mine; dots inconspicuous, light colored; prevailing effect 
bright striped red ; calyx-tube wide, conical ; stamens 
basal ; core small, axile to abaxile ; cells closed or open ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels obovate ; seeds large, flat, 
obtuse; flesh yellow, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly, 
aromatic, subacid ; very good ; September to December. 

LAWYER. Black Spy. Delaware Winter. 
Lawver retains a place in pomology because 
of the attractive appearance and long-keeping 
quality of the fniit. The apples are a hand- 
some red, very uniform in shape and size, and 
keep in common storage until May or June. 
They are. however, but mediocre in quality — 
scarcely desirable for either dessert or culinary 
purposes. The trees come in bearing early, 
and. as a rule, yield large crops biennially. 
The variety is at its best in southern latitudes; 
in the North the apples nm small in size and 
poor in color and quality. Fruit and foliage 
are subject to apple-scab. The origin of 
Lawver is uncertain, but it is said to have 
come from Parkville, Missouri, soon after the 



Civil War, and to have been reintroduced from 
Delaware under the name Delaware Winter, 

Tree vigorous, round- spreading, dense ; branches long, 
stout, curved. Fruit medium to large, round or oblate, 
reguiar and sjinmetrical ; stem variable, often long and 
slender ; cavity acute or acuminate, deep, large and 
broad, often compiessed or furrowed, more or less rus- 
seted and often with outspreading russet rays ; calyx 
small, closed or open, often leafy ; lobes sometimes 
separated at the base ; basin wide, flat and obtuse, some- 
times deep and abrupt, gently furrowed, sometimes 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, occasionally showing 
the yellow ground-color but usually covered with bright 
red which deepens about the base and is often mottled 
and streaked with dull gray scarf-skin, toward the apex 
lighter red ; dots white or russet, small and numerous 
about the basin, large and scattering toward the cavity ; 
calyx-tube long, narrow at top, funnel-form ; stamens 
median ; core abaxile, medium in size ; cells sjTiimetrical, 
open or closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels concave, 
round to obcordate, tufted ; seeds dark, large, wide, 
obtuse, tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, breaking, fine, crisp, 
tender, juicy, brisk subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; 
January to May or June. 

LEHIGH GREENING. Lehigh Greening 

is of the Pippin ratlier tiuin of the Greening 
type, though the two groups are very similar. 
Were there not several other better sorts of 
its kind, the variety would be rated as an 
excellent green winter-apple. Its origin is not 
known, but it has been grown in Lehigh 
County, Pennsylvania, since 1840 at least. 

Tree vigorous, wide- spreading, open ; branches stout, 
crooked. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and 
shape, round-oblate to round-conic, sides sometimes un- 
equal ; stem medium to long, slender ; cavity acute, 
medium in depth, narrow, sometimes lipped, russeted 
and often with outspreading russet rays ; calyx open ; 
lobes narrow, acuminate, often separated at the base ; 
basin large, abrupt, shallow, wide, gently furrowed ; 
skin dark green becoming waxen yellow, occasionally 
with a thin blush of bright red ; dots numerous, sub- 
merged or pale areolar with russet point ; calyx-tube 
long and wide, broadly funnel-shape ; stamens median ; 
core small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, wide open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels pointed-ovate to broadly cordate, 
tufted ; seeds numerous, medium in size, dark brown, 
elongated, plump, acute ; tlesh yellow, firm. fine, crisp, 
tender, juicy, sprightly, mild subacid, aromatic ; good 
or very good ; January to May. 

LIMBERTWIG. Jatnes River. Limber- 
twig is a rather common appellation for varie- 
ties of apples having willowy twigs. Possibly a 
dozen varieties have been so called in different 
parts of America, but the name belongs prop- 
erly to a variety producing a medium-sized, 
deep-red, late-keeping apple rather popular in 
southern latitudes. The tree is vigorous and 
productive, its slender branches usually bend- 
ing in season with a heavy crop. The fruit 
keeps from April until May. The origin of 
Limbertwig is not known ; the earliest notice 
is that of Kenrick in 1832. 

Tree thrifty, productive, fruit hanging well to the 
tree ; laterals slender becoming drooping with heavy 
crops. Fruit medium, uniform in size and shape, round 
to oblate-coiiio, s.iTnmetrical and regular ; stem medium 
in length and thickness, usually not exserted ; cavity 
acuminate, deep, broad, sometimes russeted, smooth or 
gently furrowed ; calyx small, closed or partly open ; 
lobes short, broad, sometimes recur\'ed ; basin small, 
narrow, shallow and obtuse or deep and abrupt, often 
furrowed ; skin roughened with numerous conspicuous 
russet dote, yellow covered with red. deepening in tlie 
sun to dark red. obscurely striped with dull carmine, 
sometimes marked with broken russet veins ; prevailin^^ 
effect dark red ; calyx-tube cone-shape ; stamens median ; 
core sessile, abaxile, small ; cells not uniformly de- 
veloped, symmetrical, closed or open; core-lines clasping; 



42 



LONGFIELD 



McAFEE 



carpels concave, elliptical, deeply emarginate, much 
tuft^ : seeds numerous, elongated, small, plump, obtuse, 
much tufted, clinging to the carpels ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine, juicy, aromatic, suljacid ; good ; January to April. 

LONGFIELD. English Pippin. Good 
Peasant. Longfield is the best dessert fruit of 
a hundred or more sorts imported from Russia, 
though it falls below the average of the apples 
of its nativity in several other characters. The 
apples do not take high rank m the market 
as they can be kept but for a short time after 
harvesting, and their delicate color and tender 
flesh bruise with the least roughness of touch. 
Besides being excellent in quality, the apples 
are handsome in appearance and very good 
in cookery. The trees are extremely hardy, 
and, though small in size, exceedingly pro- 
ductive. It is a very good apple for home use 
in all regions where hardiness is an important 
factor. The variety was introduced from 
Russia by the United States Department of 
Agriculture in 1870, and is now widely grown 
in the United States and Canada. 

Tree medium in size, round or spreading, dense, low, 
with short, stout, crooked branches and drooping laterals 
filled with small spurs. Fruit medium, uniform in size 
and shape, round-conic, ribbed ; stem short, slender ; 
cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, symmetrical, usually 
russeled ; calyx small, leafy, closed or partly open ; lobes 
long, narrow, acute ; basin small, shallow, narrow, 
abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, 
smooth, glossy, pale waxen-yellow with a lively blush 
but not striped ; dots few, small, inconspicuous, white, 
submerged ; prevailing effect bright yellow blushed with 
lively red ; calyx-tube narrow and elongated, often ex- 
tending to the core ; stamens basal ; core medium, axile ; 
cells symmetrical, not uniformly developed, closed or 
partly open ; core-lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; 
carpels round, emarginate ; seeds large, dark brown, 
long, acute ; flesh white, fine, crisp, very tender, juicy, 
subacid, sprightly, aromatic ; good to very good ; Sep- 
tember to October. 

LOUISE. Princess Louise. Woolverton. 
Louise is a seedling of Fameuse, from which it 
differs in having fruits a little larger and much 
less red in color, the red overlaying a very 
yellow background with a lively blush, the 
whole apple being overspread with soft bloom. 
The tree is much the same as that of its par- 
ent. Though at best very handsome, with a 
distinctive flavor and aroma, in general the 
fruits fall short of those of Fameuse and the 
better-known Mcintosh of the same group. 
Louise originated with L. Woolverton, Grimsby, 
Ontario, about 1875, and is little known outside 
of Canada. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense, with long, slender branches and willowy laterals. 
Fruit medium in size, uniform in size and shape, round 
or round-oblate, often elliptical or obscurely angular, 
sides often unequal ; stem red, long, slender ; cavity 
obtuse, sometimes acuminate, shallow, broad, furrowed ; 
calyx closed or slightly open ; basin shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, lightly furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, 
pale yellow, with lively red blush, striped obscurely if 
at all, overspread with thin bloom ; dots inconspicuous, 
pale, submerged ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, 
partly open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels elongated- ovate ; 
seeds long, acute ; flesh white, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, 
mild subacid, aromatic, with some of the perfume of 
Mcintosh ; good to very good ; October to February or 
later. 

LOWELL. Greasy Pippin. Tallow. Tallow 
Pippin. Though now superseded by better 



.sorts of its season, Lowell was a most impor- 
tant variety in the apple orchards of a gen- 
eration ago. It is preeminently an apple for 
the home orchard, since it furnishes fruit for 
dessert or cooking from late summer to early 
winter. The flesh, while coarse, is pleasantly 
flavored, and the large, bright-yellow apples, 
with a most perceptible coating of wax, giving 
rise to the expressive names Greasy Pippin 
and Tallow Pippin, are very attractive in 
appearance. Where and when it originated 
is not known, but it has been under culti- 
vation for at least a century and is gen- 
erally distributed throughout the East and 
North. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open. Fruit 
large, uniform in size but variable in shape, round- 
oI:>long, conic, unsymmetrical, irregular ; stem long, 
thick, deflected to one side ; cavity acute, shallow, 
broad, often russeted ; calyx large, closed or partly 
open ; basin shallow, medium in width, abrupt, often 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth or 
with occasional russet dots and flecks, waxy, rich yellow- 
dots numerous, inconspicuous, brown, russet or sub' 
merged ; cal.vx-tube long, wide, conical ; stamens median ; 
core large, axile to abaxile ; cells closed ; core-lines 
meeting or clasping ; carpels obovate, emarginate ; seeds 
dark brown, medium in size, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine-grained, crisp, tender, very juicy, sprightly sui>acid ; 
good to very good ; August to October. 

LOWLAND RASPBERRY. Liveland. 
Lowland Raspberry, more often known as 
Liveland, is an early Russian apple very popu- 
lar in the apple regions of the Great Plains. 
The fruit is beautiful and of very good quality 
for an early apple, surpassing all other Russian 
apples in both appearance and quality, but the 
skin is so tender that the fniit is suitable only 
for home use and local market. The variety 
was introduced from Russia about 1880. It i3 
described in the catalogs as follows: 

Tree vigorous, not larg:e, upright, very hardy, produc- 
tive. Fruit medium to large ; color waxen white, striped, 
shaded and marbled with light carmine ; flesh white, 
often stained with red, fine, very tender, pleasant, mild 
subacid, almost sweet; August or with Yellow Trans- 
parent. 

McAfee. McAfee Red. McAfee's None- 
such. Striped Sweet Pippin. ]Vi7iter Pippin. 
This is an old sort, once very popular in the 
South and parts of the Middle West, now 
but little planted. The apples are well flav- 
ored and attractive but rather too mild and 
characterless in flavor. There are no remark- 
able tree-characters. McAfee originated near 
Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Elliott called atten- 
tion to it in 1854. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading. Fruit 
medium to large, round-oblate, regular ; stem short to 
long ; cavity large, wide, acute, deep, gently furrowed, 
often with thin outspreading russet ; calyx small, closed ; 
basin shallow, narrow, sometimes broad, wrinkled and 
gently furrowed ; skin thin, smooth, yellow faintly 
washed with red and splashed and striped with carmine, 
often marked at the base with thin, gray, mottled scarf- 
skin and sometimes with fine, irregularly broken russet 
lines ; dots minute, indented, gray or white with some 
large and areolar ; prevailing ettect striped-red ; calyx- 
tube funnel-form ; stamens median to basal ; core abaxile, 
round ; cells symmetrical, open ; core-lines clasping the 
funnel cylinder ; carpels concave, tufted, broadly obo- 
vate ; seeds numerous, large, long, wide, obtuse, dark ; 
flesh yellow, coarse, breaking, tender, juicy, mild subacid ; 
good to very good ; October to February. 



McINTOSH 



MAIDEN BLUSH 



43 



McINTOSH. Fig. 33. Mcintosh Red. If 
one were compelled to choose the apple of 
apples as the season's varieties pass by, choos- 
ing in respect to the qualities \vhich, united, 
gratify the greatest number of senses, few 
would hesitate in naming Mcintosh sovereign 
of all. The fruits of Mcintosh are uniquely 
beautiful, outwardly and inwardl)', the flavor 
is hardly surpassed, and the whole apple is 
most agreeably perfumed. The bright deep- 
red color is made more attractive by a heavy 




33. Mcintosh. (XVo) 

and characteristic bloom. Well grown, each 
apple seems to have been turned out of the 
same mould — a sphere modified by a little 
oblateness. When the apples are cut, flesh 
of snowy whiteness rimmed and stained with 
red is exposed — firm, fine, crisp, tender, and 
juicy, with a rich, delicious, and very dis- 
tinctive flavor. The trees are vigorous, hardy, 
and healthy. Three serious faults detract from 
its value as a commercial fruit: apple-scab 
fungus seriously disfigures fruit and foliage; 
the crop ripens unevenly; and the apples sel- 
dom hang until sufficiently mature. The va- 
riety originated in Dundas County, Ontario, 
on the Mcintosh homestead, from which its 
distribution was begun about 1870. 

Tree vigorous, round or spreading, with numerous small, 
slender laterals. Fruit large, uniform in shape and size, 
round-oblate, regular ; stem short, stout, slender, usually 
not exserted, often with irregular protuberances ; cavity 
large, acuminate, wide, broadly furrowed, often partly 
nisseted ; calyx small, closed or partly open ; lobes 
short, narrow, acute ; basin pubescent, small, narrow, 
abrupt, smooth or obscurely furrowed ; skin thin, tender, 
smooth, readily separating from the flesh, pale-yellow 
washed and deeply blushed with bright red and striped 
with carmine, highly-colored specimens dark red with the 
carmine stripes obscure, overspread with bloom ; dots 
white or yellow, small ; calyx-tube short, conical, with 
broad limb ; stamens median ; core abaxile ; cells wide 
open ; core-lines meeting, carpels elliptical, smooth, con- 
cave ; seeds brown, large, acute ; flesh white, sometimes 
veined with red, firm, fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, 
perfumed, sprightly sul)acid ; very good to best ; Oc- 
tober to December or later. 

McMAHON. McMahon White. McMahon 
in quality is similar to Alexander, of which it is 
possibly a seedling, but does not equal it in any 
characters which contribute to making a com- 
mercial variety. The apple is not good enough 
in qualitj' for home-growing. The variety 
originated about 1860 in Richland County, Wis- 
consin, and its culture is confined to its native 
and nearby states. 



Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading. Fruit large 
or very large, round-conic, faintly ribbed ; stem medium 
in length, thick ; cavity remarkably acuminate, very 
deep, broad, compressed, russeted and with outspreading 
rays ; calyx small, open ; lobes separated at base, short ; 
basin deep, narrow, abrupt, compressed, furrowed and 
wrinlded ; skin pale yellow or nearly white with ir- 
regular stripes and patches of white scarf-skin extending 
from the cavity over the base, often having the cheek 
overspread with a thin blush, faintly splashed and 
striped with carmine ; dots few, inconspicuous, green or 
russet ; calyx-tube long, wide, broadly conical or cylindri- 
cal : stamens median ; core small, abaxile to axile ; cells 
symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels 
round or elliptical, emarginate ; seeds dark brown, 
plump, obtuse ; flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, sprightly 
subacid ; fair to good ; October to February. 

MAGOG. Magog Red Streak. Magog has 
been on probation for nearly a half century — 
not good enough to recommend and too good 
to condemn. If worth growing at all, it is 
only in northern latitudes where hardiness is 
necessary. The variety originated at Newport, 
Vermont, about 1870, and its culture is con- 
fined to New England. Canada, and the Great 
Plains, being most popular in the last-named 
region. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit large, uniform 
in size but variable in shape, round-oblong, sometimes 
conic or ovate, regular or faintly ribbed, sides often 
unequal ; stem short, thick ; cavity acute, medium in 
depth, narrow, usually smooth, occasionally lipped, 
often irregularly russeted ; calyx small, closed ; lobes 
narrow, acute ; basin medium in width and depth, some- 
times abrupt, coarsely wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, waxy, pale yellow, lightly waslied and mottled 
with thin brownish-red, sparingly striped and splaslied 
with deeper red ; dots numerous, light, submerged, 
areolar, brown and russet : prevailing effect yellow ; 
calyx-tube long, conical, with long cylinder ; stamens 
marginal ; core large, abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines 
clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels broad-obcordate, 
sometimes tufted ; seeds light brown, small, wide, short, 
plump, obtuse; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, tender, 
very juicy, sprightly, pleasant subacid, aromatic ; good ; 



season, October to Ja 



ary 



late: 



MAIDEN BLUSH. Fig. 34. Lady Blush. 
Red Cheek. This old favorite, known by fruit- 
growers in America everywhere for over a 
century, attained and holds its popularity 
chiefly by virtue of its distinctive and very 




34. Maiden Blush. (XVa) 

handsome crimson-cheeked, lemon-yellow ap- 
ples. The fruits are unique in form as well 
as color, each an oblate sphere. The apples 
are not high enough in quality to relish out 
of hand, but are very good for cooking, evapo- 
rating, and for the markets. The crop does not 
mature uniformly, is very susceptible to the 
scab-fungus, and does not keep well in either 



44 



MALINDA 



MILAM 



ordinary or cold storage. The trees are above 
the mark in most characters. The variety 
was named by Coxe as very popular in Phila- 
delphia as long ago as 1817. It is probably as 
widely disseminated in America as any other 
apple. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open. Fruit 
medium, sometimes large, uniform in size and sliape, 
oblate, sometimes conic, regular, symmetrical ; stem 
short, slender ; cavity large, acute, medium to wide, 
shallow, usually symmetrical, sometimes russeted ; calyx 
closed ; lobes separated at base, broad, acute ; basin 
shallow, medium to wide, obtuse, regular, smooth or 
furrowed, symmetrical ; skin tliin, tough, smooth, pale 
waxen yellow with crimson blush ; dots numerous, white, 
submerged or areolar ; calyx-tube small, narrow, conical ; 
stamens median ; core of medium size, axile or some- 
what abaxile, broad-elliptical ; cells closed or slightly 
open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels broad- 
ovate ; seeds brown, wide, long, plump, acute ; Hesh 
white or with yellow tinge, fine, crisp, tender, very 
juicy, subacid ; good ; September to November or De- 
cern l>er. 

MALINDA. This is one of the ironclad 
varieties recommended in the northern states 
of the Great Plains for its hardiness. When 
an especially hardy tree is wanted, Malinda is 
top-worked on Hibernal, the tree on its own 
roots being a rather poor grower. The fruit 
ranks very fair in quality. The variety 
originated in Orange County, Vermont, and 
was taken to Minnesota as early as 1860. 

Tree very hardy, a slender, straggling grower in the 
nursery and lacking vigor on its own roots in the 
orchard. Fruit medium to large, sharply conical, 
angular and ribbed ; stem short ; cavity acute, regular, 
with stellate, russet dots ; calyx closed ; basin abrupt, 
narrow, deep, wrinkled ; skin smooth, rich yellow witii 
dull blush ; dots numerous, minute, distinct, white ; 
calyx-tube conical ; stamens median ; core closed with 
core-lines meeting ; flesh yellowish-white, very juicy, 
mild subacid with a sweet after-taste ; quality fair ; 
late winter. 

MANN. Fig. 35. By virtue of several good 
qualities, Mann gained a high reputation a 
quarter of a century ago. The trees are vig- 
orous, hard)', healthy, and productive, and 
the fruit keeps and ships well. But the apples, 




Mann. (XVa) 



of the Rhode Island Greening type, are but 
mediocre in quality. With the advent of 
better care of orchards and of better shipping 
and transportation facilities, the need for a 
general purpose apple of this type began to 
wane, and Mann was doomed to lose the com- 
mercial importance it had acquired. The va- 
riety originated in the orchard of Judge 
Mooney, Granby, New York, about 1870, and 



later was introduced into Niagara County by 
a Dr. Mann, who gave it his name. It is most 
commonly grown in New York. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, at first upright and 
dense but after bearing spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, round-oblate, symmetrical, usually regular, some- 
times faintly ribbed, uniform in size and siiape ; stem 
short, usually not exserted ; cavity acuminate, narrow, 
deep, usually russeted and often with outspreading 
broken russet, furrowed ; calyx small, closed or partly 
open ; lobes acute ; basin abrupt, narrow, usually sym- 
metrical, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, 
green, often with a brownish-red blush tinged with 
olive-green but late in the season yellow ; dots numerous, 
large, conspicuous, areolar, white with russet center ; 
calyx-tube wide, cone-sliape ; stamens median ; core small, 
usually axile ; cells symmetrical, usually closed, some- 
times open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels smootii, broad, 
narrowing towards the base and apex ; seeds numerous, 
wide, obtuse, dark ; tiesh yellow, coarse, juicy, at first 
hard but becoming tender and crisp, subacid ; fair to 
good ; March to April. 

MELON. Norton's Melon. Watermelon. 
The apples are rotund, red-cheeked, smooth- 
skinned, of medium size, very uniform, and, 
all in all, most attractive when well grown. 
The flesh is tender, crisp, fine-grained, very 
juicy, and has a sprightly but rich and aro- 
matic flavor. Unfortunately, the variety 
thrives only on choice apple soils, and the 
product IS too often undersized, poorly col- 
ored, and unattractive. The tree, in locations 
suited to it, is vigorous, hardy, and productive, 
though su-sceptible to apple-scab. Melon 
originated in East Bloomfield, New York, in a 
seedling orchard planted by Heman Chapin 
about 1800. The variety is most popular in 
New York and New England. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading. 
Leaves large, broad. Fruit variable in size, medium to 
large, round-conic, sometimes oblate-conic, often more 
or less elliptical and obscurely ribbed, sjTnmetrical ; 
stem short, slender ; cavity acute, deep, narrow to wide, 
often russeted and sometimes with outspreading russet 
rays ; calyx small, closed or partly open ; lobes 
narrow, acuminate; basin small, shallow to deep, narrow, 
abrupt, often furrowed and wrinkled ; skin smooth, pale 
yellow overspread with bright red, striped and splashed 
with carmine ; dots small, pale yellow or russet ; calyx- 
tube small, cone-shaped, with fleshy pistil point project- 
ing into the base ; stamens median ; core small, axile ; 
cells svTnmetrical, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
elliptical, sometimes tufted ; seeds large, plump, wide, 
often angular, very dark brown, sometimes tufted ; flesh 
yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, very tender, juicy, 
sprightly, aromatic, pleasant subacid ; very good ; 
October to March. 

MILAM. Blair. Thomas. Milam is a late 
winter apple very similar to Ralls, differing 
chiefly in its more highly colored fruits. It is 
grown only in the South and Middle West, in 
some sections of which it is a favorite for home 
use. Its origin is not known, but it has been 
grown since the middle of the nineteenth 
century. Formerly, the variety was propa^- 
gated chiefly from sprouts, which spring up 
very freely. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with long. 
Blender, curved branches. Fruit small to medium, round- 
conic to short-ovate, regular, not ribbed ; stem pubescent, 
medium to long, slender ; cavity acute, deep, wide, 
smooth and green or partly covered with thin russet ; 
calyx pubescent, closed ; basin medium in size, abrupt, 
shallow, narrow to medium in width, gently furrowed ; 
skin thin, tender, smooth, yellow, marbled and striped 
with dull red, deepening to crimson in the sun ; dots 
numerous, conspicuous, gray, often areolar, with russet 



MONMOUTH 



point; calyx-tube conical, with short, truncate cylinder; 
stamens basal ; core small, axile ; ceils symmetrical, 
closed ; carpels elongated, obovate, niucrona'te, tufted ; 
seeds plump, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, 
tender, juicy, mild subacid ; good ; November to January. 

MILDEN. Mildin-g. By reason of hand- 
some fruits of good quality, Milden has won 
a place in New England which it seems likely 
to retain both for home and commercial 
plantings. The apples are bright red on a 
pale-yellow background, of large size, and 
shapely in form. They are good, at least, in 
quality, and to many the subacid flavor is 
very agreeable. The trees are vigorous from 
start to maturity and come in bearing young, 
after which they yield a large crop biennially. 
Milden originated at Alton, New Hampshire, 
about 1865. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense. Fruit large, 
uniform in size and shape, oblate, sometimes conic 
regular, often faintly ribbed, sides sometimes unequal 
stem short, pubescent ; cavity acute, deep, wide, sym 
metrical or furrowed, often russeted and with outspread- 
ing russet rays ; calyx large, pubescent : lobes long, 
acuminate, closed or partly open ; basin obtuse, shallow, 
wide, often compressed or furrowed ; skin waxy, thin, 
tough, mottled with bright red and striped and splashed 
with carmine over a pale yellow background ; dots in 
conspicuous, few, gray or russet ; calyx-tube large, cone 
shape, meeting the core ; stameni; median ; core distant, 
medium in size, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels round to ovate, acuminate, 
emarginate, tufted ; seeds variable in size and shape, 
narrow, obtuse, often abortive; flesh yellow, firm, crisp, 
breaking, coarse, very juicy, subacid ; good ; November 
to February. 

MILWAUKEE. Milwaukee is a seedling 
of Oldenburg which it resembles in tree and 
fruit. It is not so good an apple as its parent, 
and deserves a place in pomology only be- 
cause the crop matures late — from one to" three 
months later than Oldenburg. It originated 
from seed sown by George Jeffrey, Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin, late in the last century. The 
variety is planted only where apples must 
brave the cold of northern winters, and even 
in such regions it is still on probation. 

Tree vigorous, open, upright-spreading with laterals 
inclined to droop ; branches long, slender, crooked. 
Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, oblate, regular 
or obscurely ribbed, sides often unequal ; stem pubescent, 
short ; cavity large, acute, deep, broad, furrowed, rus- 
seted and with outspreading brown-russet rays ; calyx 
pubescent, large, leafy, partly open, sometimes closed ; 
lobes wide, long, acute; basin laige, often oblique, deep, 
wide, abrupt, furrowed, wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, glossy, pale yellow blushed with red, con- 
spicuously mottled and striped with carmine; dots 
numerous, small, white, often submerged, occasionally 
russet; calyx-tube urn-shaped, with short cylinder and 
wide limb ; stamens median ; core distant, abaxile, 
small ; cells unsj-mmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels elliptical to roundobcordate, niu- 
cronate ; seeds few, often abortive, short, wide, flat, 
obtuse; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
sprightly, brisk subacid ; fair to good ; season, November 
to March. 

MINKLER. Brandywine. Two characters 
make Minkler more or less popular in the 
Corn Belt of the Middle West; the trees are 
vigorous and they bear large crops. The 
apples are attractive in appearance and keep 
very well in common storage but scald badly 
in cold storage; the quality is distinctly in- 
ferior. The variety is probably an old one 



renamed by S. G. Minkler of Illinois, about 
1865. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, becoming drooping; 
branches strong, forming a broad angle with the trunk 
and ha\ing a characteristically irregular, zigzag manner 
of growth. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size 
and shape, round to oblate-conic, regular; stem medium 
in length, slender; cavity acute, deep, green or brown, 
famtly russeted ; calyx small, closed or open ; lobes 
broad, acute ; basin shallow, wide, obtuse, smooth or 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, glossy, pale vellow, 
overspread with light red, obscurely striped and splashed 
with dull carmine ; dots small, yellow, gray or russet 
conspicuous; calyx-tube short, wide, funnel-form with 
broad limb and narrow cylinder ; stamens median ■ core 
large, axile ; cells closed or partly open ; core-lines 
meeting or clasping ; carpels round, usually deeply 
emarginate, tufted ; seeds dark brown, large, long, plump 
or sometimes Hat, acute, sometimes tufted ; flesh yellow, 
firm, coarse, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; good ; No- 
vember to April. 

MISSOURI PIPPIN. Missoun Orange. 
Missouri Keeper. Missouri Pippin is one of 
the standard commercial apples in Missouri 
and neighboring states. The qualities which 
give it standing are: attractive appearance and 
long keeping quality in the fruit, and earliness, 
reliability, and heavy bearing in the trees. 
The apples are, however, but second-rate in 
quality and the trees are usuallv short-lived. 
The variety fails in the North and East. 
Missouri Pippin is said to have originated on 
the farm of Brinkley Hornsbv, Kingsville, 
Missouri, from seed planted about 1840. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, with long, slender, 
curved branches, characteristic on account of its numer- 
ous, slender twigs. Fruit medium in size, round-conic ; 
stem medium in length, slender ; cavity acute, wide', 
deep, faintly russeted ; calyx closed or nearly so ; lobes 
long narrow ; basin medium to deep, wide, abrupt, 
wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, glo3.sy, thinly 
coated with bloom ; color pale yellow overspread with 
bright red, striped with dark red, highly colored speci- 
mens almost solid red ; dots conspicuous, russet, or large 
pale gray; calyx-tube funnel-form with wide limb, 
sometimes broadly conical ; stamens median ; core small, 
axile, or nearly so ; cells symmetrical, open ; core-lines 
clasping; carpels smooth, round-elliptical, sometimes 
emarginate; seeds small, obtuse, dark brown; flesh 
yellow, flrm, fine-grained, brisk subacid ; fair to good 
in quality ; October to January. 

MONMOUTH. Monmouth Pippin. Red 
Check. Red Cheek Pippin. Monmouth is an 
apple of the Rhode Island Greening type, but 
its fruits are easily distinguished by a brighter 
cheek and a distinct flavor. The apples are 
handsomer than those of Rhode Island Green- 
ing, keep as well in common storage, and do 
not scald so badly in cold storage; but they 
are not so well flavored, and the crop runs 
more to low-grade fruit. The trees are hardy, 
long-lived, and productive ; bear young, almost 
annually; and fall short only in vigor. This 
apple is a native of New Jersey and was first 
described in 1848. It is grown sparingly in all 
apple regions east of the Mississippi. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, spreading, open ; 
branches short, stout, crooked. Fruit large, oblate to 
round, somewhat conic, flattened at the base, irregular 
obscurely ribbed, sides often unequal ; stem short, thick ; 
cavity large, acute, deep, broad, furrowed or compressed 
smooth or russeted ; calyx large, leafy, pubescent, open 
or partly closed ; lobes reflexed and separated at the 
base ; basin large, wide and deep, abrupt, often dis- 
tinctly furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth 
toward the base, the upper half often roughened with 



46 



MOTHER 



NORTHERN SPY 



russet dots or with capillary russet lines which become 
■concentric toward the calyx, green marbled with yellow 
or pale yellow blushed with lively red ; dots variable, 
numerous, green and areolar, with brown-russet points, 
often elongated about the cavity ; calyx-tube large, 
wide, conical, with fleshy pistil point projecting into the 
base ; stamens median ; core small, abaxile with hollow 
cylinder in the axis ; cells symmetrical and closed ; core- 
lines meeting or clasping ; carpels round-obcordate, mu- 
cronate, tufted ; seeds few, long, acute, tufted ; flesh 
yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, brisk subacid, 
becoming mild, aromatic ; good to very good ; November 
to February. 

MOTHER. Fig. 36. Mother is one of the 
prized apples of old orchards, valued alike for 
its handsome appearance and its tender, rich, 
well-flavored flesh It, calls to mind the better- 




36. Mother. (XVa) 

known Esopus Spitzenburg, but it is not quite 
so good an apple either for dessert or for 
cooker>', falling short in flavor and keeping 
qualities. The trees are seldom satisfactory 
and should be top-worked on a more vigorous 
stock to obtain vigor and thrift. Mother was 
described first in iS48 from Worcester County, 
Massachusetts. It is very generally grown in 
all apple regions. 

Tree small, slow grower, upright-spreading, open. 
Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round, round- 
conic or oblong-ovate, obscurely and broadly ribbed ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity acute, shallow, broad, often 
russeted, sometimes furrowed, compressed or lipped ; 
calyx small, closed or nearly so; lobes narrow, acute; 
"basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; 
Bkin thin, smooth, golden yellow covered with bright 
deep red, marbled and striped with carmine ; dots in- 
conspicuous, yellow, submerged ; calyx-tube long, funnel- 
form with wide limb and narrow cylinder ; stamens 
marginal ; core small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open 
or partly so ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broad-ovate to 
round, emarginate, mucronate; seeds dark, plump, acute; 
iesh yellow, fine tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; 
Tery good to best ; September to January. 

MUNSON SWEET. Meachem Sweet, 
Orange Sweet. Munson is a sweet apple prom- 
inent in New York and New England a genera- 
tion ago but now disappearing. It is supposed 
to have originated in Massachusetts early in 
the eighteenth century and was first described 
in 1849. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, dense. Fruit large, 
Tound-oblate, often elliptical, ribbed ; stem short, thick ; 
cavity large, acuminate, narrow, unsymmetrical, rus- 
seted*; calyi closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; basin shallow 
or very shallow, narrow, obtuse, furrowed, often un- 
symmetrical ; skin thick, tough, separating readily from 
the flesh, smooth, greenish-yellow often blushed ; calyx- 



tube funnel-shape with long cylinder ; stamens marginal ; 
calyx closed or open ; core-lines clasping the cylinder ; 
carpels round to elliptical, emarginate, tufted ; seeds 
short, flat, obtuse, dark brown ; flesh yellow, fine-grained, 
tender, juicy, sweet ; good to very good ; September to 
December. 

NEWTOWN SPITZENBURG. English 
Spitzenbirg. Vandevvrv. Possibly this apple 
is as well known under the nane "Vandevere" 
as that here given it. This is not, however, the 
true Vandevere, and neither must it be con- 
founded with Esopus Spitzenburg. Once in 
hand, the apples are most excellent — crisp and 
tender of flesh, and having a delectable, rich, 
aromatic flavor. But the trees are so unreli- 
able in growth and bearing and so fastidious 
as to soils that the variety has no commercial 
value. It originated in Newtown, Long Island, 
and was first described in 1817. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading, dense, with 
long, stout, curved branches. Fruit of medium size, 
round-oblong or somewhat oblate, regular and uniform 
i w shape and size ; stem very short to long, slender, 
pubescent ; cavity acute, deep, broad, indistinctly fur- 
rowed, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, closed, some- 
times partly open ; lobes broad, obtuse ; basin small, 
wide, shallow to deep, furrowed ; skin smooth, tough, 
deep yellow blushed and mottled with dull red, striped 
with carmine, streaked with gray scarf-skin and over- 
spread with light bloom ; dots characteristic, conspicu- 
ous, very numerous, yellow, often with russet center, 
small, very numerous and crowded about the basin but 
less numerous, larger and irregular toward the cavity; 
calyx-tube cone-shape with short, truncate cylinder ; 
Btamens median ; core small, aliaxile ; cells symmetrical 
and partly open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpela 
smooth, elliptical ; seeds numerous, large, narrow, plump, 
acute ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, 
juicy, mild subacid, rich, aromatic; very good in quality ; 
November to March. 

NICKAJACK. Chatham Pippin. Missouri 
Pippin. Missouri Red. Pound. Red Pippin. 
Red Warrior. Winter Horse. This variety has 
long been held in high esteem in the South. 
The fruits keep remarkably well, but the qual- 
ity is but second-rate; and, as generally grown, 
the apples are dull in color and unattractive. 
A long season is necessary for the full devel- 
opment of its fruit ; therefore the variety can- 
not be grown in the North. The trees are 
vigorous and productive. The variety is sup- 
posed to have originated near a stream of the 
same name in Macon County, North Carolina, 
and was first described in 1853. 

Tree large, very vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit 
medium to large, uniform in size and sliape, round-conic 
to round-oblate or rarely round-oblong, sides unequal, 
axis often oblique ; stem short and thick ; cavity acumi- 
nate, deep, broad, obscurely furrowed and partly cov- 
ered witli thin greenish-russet ; calyx rather large, 
closed or open ; lobes short, broad, acute ; basin often 
oblique, shallow, medium in width, obtuse to abrupt, 
obscurely furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, 
smooth, glossy, yellow, mottled and shaded with orange- 
red or red, irregularly splashed and streaked over the 
base witli scarf-skin and overspread with thin bloom ; 
dots numerous, irregular in shape, very conspicuous, 
pale or russet ; prevailing effect grayish-red ; calyx-tube 
large, wide, short and urn-shaped or long funnel-form ; 
stamens median ; core large, axile ; cells closed or partly 
open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels concave, broadly-ovate 
to round, tufted ; seeds light to dark brown, short and 
wide, plump, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, very firm, 
coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid becoming nearly 
sweet, aromatic ; good ; Deceml>er to May. 

NORTHERN SPY. Fig. 37. Spy. De- 
lectable quality, great beauty in color and 



NORTHERN SPY 



OAKLAND 



47 



form, and the fair size of the fruit, with hardi- 
ness, healthfulness, reliability in bearing, vigor 
and productiveness in the tree, make the 
Northern Spy one of the leading American ap- 
ples. The fruits play an important part in 
commerce, having a well established reputa- 
tion in all American fruit markets; they stand 
usage in shipping, storing, and marketing very 
well, after which they sell at highest prices. 
The trees bloom remarkably late and thereby 
often escape spring frosts; they are long-lived. 



NORTHWESTERN GREENING. Fig. 
38. Possessed of a constitution which enables 
it to endure as much cold as any other apple 
excepting, possibly, a few Russian sorts. North- 
western Greening has found a niche in the 
apple flora of the cold Northwest that it fills 
very well. The tree grows with rapidity and 
vigor, and while it does not bear early, eventu- 
ally becomes a reliable and productive pro- 
ducer. The apples are mediocre in quality, 
and the flesh within the core-lines is often 
corky and discolored. Northwestern Greening 




37. Northern Spy. (X%) 

nearly perfect in form; and grow to maturity 
with rapidity from the nursery. The last three 
characters make them favorites upon which to 
graft less vigorous sorts. Northern Spy is not 
without faults, however. Those of the fruit 
are: the skin is thin and tender, making careful 
handling necessary ; and when poorly grown, 
the flavor deteriorates. Other faults are: the 
trees are most capricious as to soils ; come in 
bearing only after several years of care ; and 
are an inviting prey to apple-scab, both fruit 
and foliage suffering. The Northern Spy tree 
is of largest size and must be given plenty of 
room in the orchard ; it prefers a warm, fertile, 
well-drained, gravelly or sandy loam in a cool 
and somewhat moist climate. This excellent 
apple was grown from seeds planted bv Heman 
Chapin about 1800 in East Bloomfield, New 
York. Long considered one of the best apples 
in New York and New England, its culture 
has spread westward to the Pacific. 

Tree large, vifrorous, upright, dense, becoming round- 
topped, with willowy, slender, drooping laterals ; branches 
long, stout, curved. Fruit large, round-conical, some- 
times oblong, flattened at the base, symmetrical, ribbed ; 
stem thick ; cavity large, acute, very wide and deep, 
broadly furrowed, usually with greenish-russet radiating 
upwards to the brim ; calyx small, closed ; lobes short, 
broad, obtuse ; basin small, narrow, deep, abrupt, fur- 
rowed : skin thin, tender, smooth, glossy, the pale yellow 
ground-color nearly concealed with bright red, mottled 
and splashed witli carmine and overspread with thin 
bloom ; dots small, scattering, white, gray or russet ; 
prevailing effect striped-red ; calyx-tube large, long, 
narrow funnel-form with very narrow cylinder ; stamens 
basal ; core large, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open, often 
not uniformly developed ; core-lines clasping the funnel 
cylinder ; carpels concave, broadly round, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds small, wide, plump, obtuse, dark, tufted ; 
flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, tender, crisp, juicy, 
sprightly, aromatic, subacid ; very good to best ; No- 
vember to April. 




38. Northwestern Greening. (X%) 

originated in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, and 
was first described in 1895. It plays an im- 
portant part in the fruit-growing of Wisconsin 
and Minnesota. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with long, 
stout, crooked branches. Fruit large or very large, 
variable in size and form, round, oblong or oblate, often 
conic, more or less irregular, sometimes elliptical, some- 
times ribbed ; stem short ; cavity small, acute, narrow, 
deep, often compressed or lipped, with outspreading 
russet ; calyx variable, small, closed or open ; basin 
small, narrow, abrupt, deep, furrowed and wrinkled ; 
skin smootli, waxy, pale yellow, sometimes faintly 
blushed ; dots small or large and irregular, usually white 
and submerged, sometimes gray with russet point ; pre- 
vailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube wide, conical or urn- 
shaped ; stamens median ; core large, axile ; cells sym- 
metrical, closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; caiT)ela 
broadly round, mucronate ; seeds small, often abortive ; 
flesh yellow, crisp, firm, juicy, mild subacid ; fair to 
good ; November to April. 

OAKLAND. Oakland County Scck-no- 
jurthtr. In Michigan, Oakland is prized in 
many orchards, but it seems not to be grown 
elsewhere. The apples, while not remarkable, 
are attractive and so pleasantly flavored that 
they elicit praise from all who taste them. 
The trees, though slow in growth, eventually 
make large specimens which bear abundantly 
but, as a rule, only biennially. The name 
commemorates the county in Michigan in 
which the variety is supposed to have orig- 
inated. Oakland was first described in 1883. 

Tree slow of growth, open, spreading, with long and 
stout branches. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size, 
round, usually somewhat oblate, sometimes conic, sym- 
metrical, irregular, often obscurely angular or ribbed ; 
stem slender ; cavity acuminate, wide, deep, angular, 
sometimes lipped, often russeted and with some out- 
spreading russet ; calyx pubescent, small, closed ; basin 
shallow, abrupt, compressed or furrowed ; skin thin, 
tough, smooth, yellow blushed and mottled with dark 
red, striped with carmine and overspread with thin 



48 



OHIO NONPAREIL 



ONTARIO 



bloom ; dots light, sometimes mingled with flecks of 
russet ; prevailing color dark red dulled by the bloom ; 
calyx-tube small, narrow, funnel-form ; stamens median ; 
core small, abaxile with hollow cylinder at the axis ; 
cells symmetrical, open or closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels smooth, distinctly concave, elliptical, obtusely 
emarginate, mucronate ; seeds numerous, variable, small, 
obtuse ; flesh white, tender, fine-grained, juicy, sweet, 
crisp ; good ; November to March. 

OHIO NONPAREIL. Nonpareil. Red 
Bcllflower. This sort, once very popular in the 
Middle West, is now to be found only in old 
orchards. The tree is seldom satisfactory. It 
originated near Massillon, Ohio, and was first 
described in 1848. 

Tree medium in size, spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, round-oblate, often obscurely ribbed ; stem short 
and thick ; cavity large, acute, deep, symmetrical, rus- 
seted, the russet sometimes spreading over the base ; 
calyx closed or slightly open ; lobes narrow, acute ; 
basin small, medium in depth, wide, abrupt, symmetri- 
cal ; skin yellow overspread with bright red, mottled 
and irregularly striped and splashed with carmine ; dots 
numerous, small, areolar with russet center ; calyx-tube 
short, conical ; stamens basal ; core small, abaxile ; cells 
symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels 
round, flat, tufted ; seeds medium in size, long, plump, 
acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, flmi. fine, crisp, tender, juicy, 
agreeably subacid, aromatic ; good to very good ; October 
and No\ember. 

OKABENA. The fruits of Okabena are not 
attractive enough in appearance, nor good 
enough in quality for the great apple regions 
of the country, but the hardiness of the tree 
makes it a desirable variety for the northern 
part of the Great Plains. Okabena originated 
in 1871 near Worthington, Minnesota, from a 
seed of Oldenburg supposed to have been fer- 
tilized by Wealthy. The variety was intro- 
duced by the Jewell Nursery Company in 
1892. 

Tree of the Russian type, rather small, compact, very 
hardv, bearing almost annually, productive. Fruit of 
medium size, not uniform in size, round-oblate or some- 
times slightly conical, symmetrical ; stem long, slender ; 
cavity acuminate, deep, broad, russeted, symmetrical ; 
calyx closed, medium to large; basin shallow, wide, 
obtuse, almost smooth, symmetrical ; skin rather thick, 
tender, light greenish-yellow overlaid with scattering 
stripes of light red ; dots numerous, pale, submerged ; 
core closed, with clasping core-lines, axile ; calyx-tube 
narrow, funnel-shaped ; stamens marginal ; carpels round, 
emarginate ; flesh tinged with yellow, sometimes with a 
trace of red, firm, tender, juicy, subacid ; quality rather 
poor, suitable ordy for culinary purposes ; season August 
and September. 




39. Oldenburg. {XVi) 

OLDENBURG. Fig. 39. Duchess. Duchess 
of Oldenburg. Oldenburg, still one of the best 
general purpose apples of its season, was the 



first of the Russian apples, and inspired in- 
terest in a group of varieties which has made 
fruit-growing possible in the colder parts of 
America. The apples are handsome and well 
flavored, being especially suitable for culinary 
uses. The trees, while neither large nor long- 
lived and while quite susceptible to disease, 
come in bearing early, are hardy and pro- 
ductive, and are especially fitted for planting 
as fillers among permanent trees. The variety 
is preeminently an apple of commerce and 
thrives north and south, east and west, on 
many soils, but always requires good care. 
Oldenburg was imported from England to 
America in 1835. 

Tree medium in size, upright-spreading. Fruit me- 
dium to large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate 
or oblate, regular, symmetrical ; stem short, slender ; 
cavity acute, deep, broad, usually partly covered with 
green-russet ; calyx large, usually closed ; lobes broad, 
acute ; basin deep, wide, abrupt, smooth or with small 
mammiform protuberances ; skin thick, tender, smooth, 
pale yellow, covered with irregular splashes and stripes 
of bright red, mottled and shaded with crimson ; dots 
scattering, small, light colored ; prevailing effect red- 
striped : calyx-tube long, wide, funnel-shape with broad 
truncate cylinder ; stamens median ; core large, axile ; 
cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broad-ovate, emarginate ; seeds large, wide, oi)tuse, 
plump, dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, 
juicy, sprightly sufciacid, aromatic ; good to very good 
for culinary purposes ; August and September. 

OLIVER. Oliver's Red. Senator. Oliver 
has not generally received the attention which 
both fruit- and tree-characters justify. The 
apples are handsome in color, smooth of skin, 
shapely, and while not large are uniform in 
size. The quality is good, the flavor being 
pleasantly acidulous, eventually approaching 
sweet. The trees are hardy, vigorous, come in 
bearing young, bear abundantly, almost an- 
nually, and hold the crop well. The season 
coincides with that of Baldwin, being, if any- 
thing, a little longer. Oliver is supposed to 
have originated in northwestern Arkansas, and 
its cultivation is confined to that and neigh- 
boring states where long seasons insure full 
development. It was first described in 1893. 

Tree medium in size, very vigorous, round-spreading ; 
branches long, stocky. Leaves long and broad, thick, 
dark green. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, 
round or oblate, symmetrical, regular, elliptical or ob- 
scurely angular, sides sometimes unequal ; stem short 
to long ; cavity medium to large, acute, deep, broad to 
narrow, regular, smooth, green or partly covered with 
greenish-russet, sometimes with outspreading russet rays ; 
calyx large, open ; lobes separated at the base, short, 
broad, obtuse, erect or reflexed ; basin large, saucer- 
shape, wide and abrupt, sometimes shallow and obtuse, 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, waxy, smooth or roughened 
with large russet dots, yellow, mottled and striped with 
red or nearly covered with bright deep red and splashed 
with carmine ; dots conspicuous, numerous, gray or 
russet, large, often elongated or irregular about the 
cavity ; calyx-tube obtusely cone-shaped ; carpels round 
or elongated narrowing toward the base and apex, 
emarginate, mucronate, smooth ; seeds irregular, large, 
numerous, completely filling the cells, long, wide, obtuse, 
dark brown ; flesh yellow, fine and crisp, tender, breaking, 
juicy, sprightly subacid ; good or very good ; December 
to April. 

ONTARIO. Fig. 40. In most of its char- 
acters, Ontario is an intermediate between its 
parents. Northern Spy and Wagener. The 
apple has the oblate shape and the prominent 
ribbing of Wagener, but the deep cavity and 



OPALESCENT 



PARAGON 



49 



the color of Northern Spy. Usually the fruits 
are larger than those of either parent, but in- 
ferior in both color and flavor. Its season 
coincides with that of Northern Spy. At one 
time much heralded, Ontario has been widely 




40. Ontario. iXV2) 

distributed, but is nowhere largely grown un- 
less it be in Ontario, where it was produced, 
in the town of Paris, by Charles Arnold. It 
was first described in 1874. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading. 
Leaves long and large. Fruit large to very large, uni- 
form in size and shape, oblate or round-conic, distinctly 
ribbed or angular, symmetrical ; stem medium in lengtli 
and thickness ; cavity large, acute, deep, wide, often 
thinly russeted and with outspreading rays of russet ; 
calyx small, closed or slightly open ; lobes narrow, 
acute ; basin small, deep, narrow, abrupt, often fur- 
rowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale 
yellow washed with brownish-red, splashed with carmine, 
in highly colored specimens bright red striped with 
carmine, often coated with white bloom and mottled and 
streaked with scarf-skin ; dots numerous, small, white, 
gray or russet ; calyx-tube narrow, funnel-form ; stamens 
median ; core small, abaxile with a large hollow cylinder 
at the axis ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core- 
lines clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels smooth, round, 
narrowing toward the apex, often truncate at the base, 
emarginate ; seeds wide, obtuse, dark ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly, brisk subacid, 
aromatic ; good to very good ; November to March. 




41. Opalescent. {XV2) 



OPALESCENT. Fig. 41. The outstanding 

character of Opalescent is beauty of product. 
The fruits are large, shapely, uniform in size, 
and nearly covered or sometimes quite cov- 
ered with brilliant red on a yellow background 
— a veritable feast to the eye. The quality, 
while not the best, is good. The trees are 



hardy, vigorous, productive, hold their load 
well, and are remarkably free from insect and 
fungous pests. Opalescent is a comparatively 
new variety introduced about 1899 from Xenia, 
Ohio. It is so similar in tree and fruit to the 
well-known Twenty Ounce that one may well 
suspect it to be a sport or a seedling of the 
older sort. All characters mark it as a variety 
full of promise for regions in which Twenty 
Ounce thrives. 

Tree vigorous, round-topped, open. Fruit large to 
very large, round-conic, sjTnmetrical or with sides 
unequal, obscurely ribbed ; stem short, slender ; cavity 
large, acuminate, very deep, sometimes russeted, s>-m- 
metrical or compressed ; calyx small, partly open ; lobes 
small, obtuse, reflexed ; basin small, often oblique with 
the brim prominent on one side, narrow, deep, abrupt, 
sometimes furrowed ; skin thick, tough, glossy, pale 
yellow overspread with dark deep red with scarcely 
perceptible streaks of carmine; dots numerous, small, 
red, yellow or russet, often submerged, frequently 
mingled with irregular lines and flecks of russet ; pre- 
vailing effect brilliant red ; calyx-tube small, cone-shape ; 
stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; cells sometimes 
unsymmetrical, closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels 
smooth, round or broadly obcordate ; seeds acute, medium 
in size, form and color; flesii yellow, firm, tender, coarse, 
juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; good to very good ; 
November to February or March. 

ORTLEY. Golden Pippin. Greasy Pippin. 
Green Bellflower. Yellow Pippin. Ortley is 
probably a seedling of Yellow Bellflower, sur- 
passed in most respects by the better-known 
variety. The essential differences between the 
two are: the fruits of Ortley are paler in color 
and have less acidity than those of Yellow 
Bellflower, and the trees are less productive. 
Ortley is an old \'ariety first described by Coxe 
in 1817. It is a favorite in the South, parts of 
the Middle West, and on the Pacific slope. 

Tree vigorous, medium in size or large, with long 
slender shoots, when mature spreading. Fruit large, 
un-uniform in size and shape, oblong-conic and flattened 
at the base or round-conic, regular or obscurely ribbed ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity large, acute, deep, narrow, 
partly russeted, furrowed ; calyx small, closed or open ; 
lobes long, acute, usually converging and reflexed ; basin 
small, shallow, narrow, abrupt and wrinkled or furrowed ; 
skin thin, tough, smooth, waxy, yellow, rarely with a 
faint blush ; dots inconspicuous, white and submerged ; 
calyx-tube funnel-form, sometimes constricted at the 
base of the limb and enlarging below, often elongated 
and extending to the core ; stamens median ; core large, 
widely abaxile ; cells symmetrical and wide open, some- 
times closed ; core-lines clasping the funnel-like cylinder ; 
carpels round-ovate, elongated, emarginate, mucronate ; 
seeds numerous, small and pointed, round, plump, light 
brown ; flesh yellow, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly ; 
very good ; October to January. 

PALOUSE. Palouse is supposed to be a 
seedling of Tompkins King, which it closely 
resembles in tree and fruit. The apples of 
parent and offspring are much alike in color, 
texture, flavor, and aroma, but those of 
Palouse are more oblong and do not keep so 
long. The variety is a comparatively new 
candidate for pomological honors and comes 
from Whitman County, Washington. Palouse 
is being planted only in the Pacific Northwest. 

PARAGON. Fig. 42. Paragon is probably 
a seedling of Winesap, which it greatly re- 
sembles in tree and fruit. It is not easily 
distinguished, either, from Arkansas, which is 
also thought to be an offspring of Winesap. 



50 



PARRY WHITE 



PENNOCK 



The variety thrives only in regions where 
Winesap grows well, and is for most purposes 
inferior to the older sort. Paragon originated 
on the farm of Major Rankin Toole, Fayette- 
ville, Termessee, from a seed planted about 
1830. 




42. Paragon. (XVa) 

Tree vigorous, round-spreading, inclined to droop, 
dense, with short, stout, twisted branches. Leaves broad. 
Fruit medium or large, uniform in size and shape, round 
or sometimes oblate, slightly conic, rounding toward 
stem and caljTC, sides often unequal ; stem medium in 
length ' and thickness ; cavity obtuse, shallow to wide 
and deep, sjTnmetrical, often furrowed or compressed, 
occasionally lipped, russet and with outspreading russet 
ra fs ; calyx small, closed ; basin shallow, obtuse, often 
f ui rowed and wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, yellow, 
covered with dull red and indistinctly striped with 
darker red ; dots gray or white, small, sometimes con- 
spicuous ; prevailing effect dark red ; calyx-tube small, 
conical ; stamens median ; core small ; cells partly open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels concave, round varying to 
cordate, emarginate ; seeds large, long, acute, dark, 
often abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, 
mild subacid, aromatic ; good to very good ; January to 
May. 

PARRY WHITE. Imperial White. Su- 
perior White. White Apple. The fruit of 
Parry White is unique in the coloring of both 
skin and flesh, the former being pale yellow 
or waxen and the latter pure white. The crop 
ripens early, following Yellow Transparent 
closely. The variety does not come up to 
the mark now set for apples, and will probably 
never be largely grown. It is supposed to have 
originated in Pennsylvania about the close of 
the Civil War, and its culture is confined to 
that state. New Jersey, and Delaware. It 
was first described by Downing in 1872. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
somewhat drooping, dense. Fruit medium to large, 
uniform in size and shape, globular, oblate or ovate, 
regular ; stem short, slender ; cavity acuminate, medium 
in deptli and width, smooth, sj-mmetrical ; calyx small, 
closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; basin very shallow, narrow 
to broad, obtuse, smooth or wrinkled, symmetrical ; skin 
thick, tough, pale waxen-yellow, occasionally blushed ; 
dots small, pale, numerous, depressed ; calyx-tube short, 
narrow, funnel-shape ; stamens marginal ; core small, 
abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines meeting or clasping ; 
carpels round, emarginate ; seeds acute, light brown ; 
flesh white, firm, fine, tender, juicy, subacid ; good ; late 
August through October. 

PATTEN. Patten Greening. Patten is a 
seedling of Oldenburg, which it resembles in 
shape and flavor of fruit and in tree-characters. 
The color of the fruit, however, is green. The 
variety is much grown in cold regions where 
the apple-list is short. Patten originated from 
seed of Oldenburg planted by C. G. Patten, 
Charles City, Iowa, about 1885. 



Tree vigorous, spreading, dense, flat, with long, stout, 
curved, drooping branches. Fruit medium to large, 
uniform in size and shape, oblate or round-oblate, some- 
times conic, usually regular, symmetrical ; stem short, 
thick ; cavity acuminate, deep, broad or compressed, 
russeted and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx large 
or very large, closed or open ; basin deep, medium in 
width, abrupt, usually smooth and symmetrical ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, pale greenish-yellow, sometimes 
ijlushed and occasionally faintly striped ; dots small, 
numerous, pale and submerged ; calyx-tube conical ; 
stamens median ; core small, axile or abaxile ; cells 
symmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels round, irregular ; seeds dark brown, plump, 
obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, sprightly 
subacid ; good ; October to January. 

PECK PLEASANT. Peck. This old fa- 
vorite is still one of the standards of its season 
to gauge choicely good apples. The tender- 
fleshed, perfumed fruits, pleasantly flavored, 
beautiful and unique in color — waxen yellow 
with an orange or pinkish blush — please all the 
senses through which apples are appreciated. 
The trees, unfortimately, have many faults, 
being subject to root-rot and canker and sel- 
dom bearing large crops or a high percentage 
of first-class fruit. Peck Pleasant is distinctly 
a fruit for family use, and the many spreading, 
lichen-covered ancients of this old sort to be 
found in the dooryards and farm orchards of 
New York and New England are testimonials 
to the esteem in which lo\'ers of fruit hold it. 
The variety originated in Rhode Island early 
in the nineteenth century. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading or 
round, dense. Fruit medium to large, variable in size, 
oblate or round, sometimes conic, often ribbed or ir- 
regularly elliptical, sometimes with furrow on one side ; 
stem short, thick or fleshy ; cavity obtuse, wide, shallow, 
often lipped or compressed, sometimes russeted ; calyx 
pubescent, large ; lobes long, open or closed, sometimes 
separated at the base, obtuse ; basin broad, obtuse, 
sj-mmetrical, furrowed or wrinkled ; skin thiclc, tough, 
sinooth, waxen yellow with orange-red blush ; dots 
numerous, white and submerged or with russet point ; 
core small, abaxile to axile ; cells usually closed or slit ; 
core-lines clasp the funnel cylinder ; carpels tender, 
broadly round, often truncate, emarginate, mucronate ; 
seeds numerous, dark, long, narrow, acute, sometimes 
tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, tender, crisp, fine-grained, 
juicy, pleasant subacid, aromatic ; very good to best ; 
October to January. 

PEERLESS. Peerless has been tested in 
nenii.\' ;ill nf the apple-growing sections of the 
Unit((l ytntos, and. m nearly all, discarded. 
However, the capacity of the trees to endure 
cold and blight and their great productiveness 
make it desirable in some regions. It seems 
to be more popular in Canada and the Middle 
West than elsewhere. Peerless originated with 
J. G. Miller, Rice County, Minnesota, in 1867. 

Tree vigorous, healthy, productive, hardy. Fruit 
medium to large, yellowish-green with stripes and splashes 
of carmine; flesh yellowish-white, fine-grained, subacid, 
agreeable but not rich ; quality fair to good ; October 
to ilarcli. 

PENNOCK. Big Romanite. Pennock's Red 
Winter. Phoenix. Red Pcnnock. Ronianite. 
This old sort was at one time a familiar in- 
habitant of Pennsylvania and New York and 
was widely distributed, though not largely 
planted, in other apple regions. Its outstand- 
ing characters are: for the fruit, large size, dull 
red color, oblique axis, yellow flesh, and dis- 
tinct flavor; for the trees, hardiness, longevity. 



PETER 



PORTER 



51 



and vigor. The variety fails because of the 
poor quality of the fruit and its susceptibility 
to a physiological trouble known as "Baldwin 
spot." Pennock appears to have originated on 
the farm of Joseph Pennock, Delaware County, 
Pennsylvania, about 1800. The earliest ac- 
count of it is that of Coxe in 1817. 

Tree large, vigorous, regular, symmetrical, upright- 
spreading. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round 
to oblate or oblong, often conic, sometimes obscurely 
ribbed or elliptical, axis oblique ; stem short, thick, not 
exserted ; cavity medium in size, acute, narrow to broad, 
deep, symmetrical, green or russeted, sometimes with 
outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, closed or partly 
open ; lobes long, acute, connivent or varying to flat 
and convergent, pubescent ; basin shallow, narrow, 
abrupt, sometimes obtuse, often furrowed or wrinkled ; 
skin thick, tough, smooth, yellow, washed and mottled 
with red, indistinctly striped with carmine and mottled 
and streaked with thin scarf-skin ; dots numerous, con- 
spicuous, large, gray or yellow, often areolar with russet 
point ; calyx-tube large, wide, conical ; stamens basal ; 
core small, axile ; cells uniformly developed, closed ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels ovate to round -obcordate, 
emarginate, sometimes tufted ; seeds large, narrow, long, 
plump, acute, rarely tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
crisp, tender, juicy, subacid to mild subacid ; fair to 
good ; December to April or May. 

PETER. Peter is a seedling of Wealthy, 
which outwardly in fruit it closely resembles. 
The two apples differ in quality, in season, in 
color of flesh, and in the seeds, those of Peter 
being larger. Peter serves the same purposes 
and is adapted to the same conditions as its 
well-known parent. The variety was grown 
by Peter Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, and 
was first distributed in 1886. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, with stout, drooping 
branches. Fruit medium or large, uniform in size and 
shape, oblate or round-oblate, conic, regular ; stem long, 
sometimes short, slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, broad, 
compressed, russeted or smooth ; calyx small, closed ; 
lobes broad, acu e ; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, gently 
furrowed, sometimes compressed ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, pale yellow washed and mottled with red, 
conspicuously striped and splashed with deep carmine ; 
dots scattering, brown, or white and submerged ; prevail- 
ing effect red or striped-red ; calyx-tube small, funnel- 
shape ; stamens median ; core usually axile ; cells sym- 
metrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels round, emarginate ; seeds large, wide, long, flat, 
acute ; flesh yellow, sometimes stained with red, firm, 
medium-grained, tender, juicy, with a pleasant, mild 
subacid, aromatic flavor ; good to very good ; September 
and October or later. 

PEWAUKEE. Pewaukee is unusual in its 
fruits, which are distinguished by bluish bloom, 
characteristically rounded basal end, and a 
short stem inserted under a large lip. The 
apples can scarcely be said to be attractive in 
color — green striped with dull red; nor in shape 
— oblong and not uniform; nor, least of all, in 
the flesh, which is coarse in texture and austere 
in flavor. The trees, however, have health, 
vigor, longevity, early bearing, great produc- 
tiveness, and remarkable hardiness to com- 
mend them. Pewaukee is a cross between 
Northern Spy and Oldenburg made by George 
F. Peffer. Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who brought 
the variety to the attention of fruit-growers 
about 1870. It is grown only where hardiness 
is a prime requisite. 

Tree vigorous, large, upright-spreading or round, open, 
with stout, curved branches. Fruit large, uniform in 
size but not in shape, round-obla^e, sometimes round- 



ovate, characteristically rounded toward the cavity, 
ribbed, more or less irregularly elliptical ; stem shorty 
often fleshy, inserted under a lip ; cavity large, some- 
times scarcely developed, narrow, very shallow, often 
furrowed and sometimes thinly russeted ; calyx large, 
open or closed ; basin medium in depth and width, 
usually abrupt, wrinkled ; skin smooth, thin, tough, 
yellow washed and mottled with orange-red or red, 
striped and splashed with carmine, covered with bloom ; 
dots conspicuous, pale gray or white, some large, ob- 
scurely defined and areolar ; calyx-tube funnel-form ; 
stamens median ; core large, axile to abaxile ; cells 
irregularly developed, usually closed or slit ; core-lines 
clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels obcordate, tufted ; 
seeds numerous, large, long, narrow, acute, plump, 
tufted, light brown ; flesh white, firm, coarse, tender, 
very juicy, subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; November 
to April. 

PLUMB CIDER. The hardiness and pro- 
ductiveness of this variety commend it to the 
fruit-growers of Wisconsin — it is little known 
elsewhere. The variety was taken from Ohio 
to Wisconsin in 1844, but what its history 
otherwise may be does not appear. 

Tree vigorous, very hardy, healthy, productive, long- 
lived. Fruit large, round-ovate, sometimes conic ; stem 
stout, short ; cavity shallow, narrow ; calyx small, closed ; 
basin narrow, shallow, plaited ; skin yellow shaded with 
pale red and striped with brighter red ; dots few, fine, 
gray ; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-form ; stamens 
marginal, touching the segments, a marked characteristic ; 
core large ; cells open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
cordate ; seeds pale brown, short, plump, pointed ; flesh 
greenish, firm, fine, breaking, juicy, brisk subacid ; 
good ; October to January. 

POMME GRISE. Frci^ch Russet. Gray 
Apple. Grise. The fruit of Pomme Grise is, 
handsome and delectable, distinguished by 
small size, golden russet color, and crisp, ten- 
der, fine-grained, sprightly, aromatic flesh. 
The trees are hardy, healthy, and annually 
produce fruit in great abundance. Trees and 
fruit reach full development only in northern 
latitudes. The variety had its origin and finds 
greatest favor among the French in the valley 
of the St. Lawrence. It has been cultivated 
more than a century in Canada. 

Tree vigorous, dense, round or spreading. Fruit small, 
uniform in size and shape, oblate, sometimes conic, 
ribbed, sj-mmetrical ; stem slender, pubescent, often 
bracted and streaked with reddish-brown ; cavity large, 
obtuse, deep, wide, often compressed or gently furrowed ; 
calyx small, closed ; lobes long, narrow, acuminate, 
pubescent ; basin variable, pubescent, saucer-shaped, nar- 
row, shallow, obtuse, furrowed ; skin thick, tough, yellow 
covered with russet, the clieek often smooth and 
yellowish-brown, mottled and striped with red ; dots 
gray or white, scattering and inconspicuous ; calyx-tube 
cone-shaped ; stamens basal ; core abaxile ; cells sym- 
metrical, closed or partly so ; core-lines clasping ; carpels 
lound, narrowing toward the apex, emarginate, mu- 
cronate, smooth or tufted ; seeds plump, irr^ular, obtuse, 
tufted ; fiesh yellow, firm, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, rich» 
subacid, aromatic; very good to best; No\'ember to April. 

PORTER. Summer Pearmain. A genera- 
tion ago Porter took rank as one of the best 
of all yellow fall apples. If the fruits be 
judged by quality, the variety would still rank 
as one of the best of its season, but the apples 
are too tender in flesh to ship, the season of 
ripening is long and variable, and the crop 
drops badly. Porter must remain, then, an 
apple for the connoisseur, who will delight in 
its crisp, tender, juicy, perfumed flesh, richly- 
flavored and sufficiently acidulous to make it 
one of the most refreshing of all apples. Por- 



52 



POUND SWEET 



PUMPKIN SWEET 



ter originated about 1800 with Rev. Samuel 
Porter, Sherburne, Massachusetts. The va- 
riety is planted more or less wherever apples 
are grown in the United States. 

Tree large, vigorous, round or spreading. Fruit 
usually large, oblong-conic, truncate at base and with 
apex oblique and ribbed ; stem short, thick, sometimes 
knobbed, curved ; cavity acute, deep, narrow, sym- 
metrical or compresesd, sometimes lipped, usually faintly 
russeted ; calyx large, closed or open ; lobes usually 
separated at base, short, narrow, acute ; basin deep, 
shallow, narrow, abrupt, broadly furrowed and wrinkled ; 
skin thin, smooth, glossy, yellow with faint blush, 
usually obscurely striped with darker red, marked with 
scattering red dots ; dots small, submerged, green with 
white center, sometimes russet ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
broadly conical ; stamens median ; core large, axile or 
abaxile ; cells partly open or wide open ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels broadly ovate, mucronate ; seeds me- 
dium to large, plump, rounded, acute ; flesh yellow, fine, 
crisp, tender, juicy, subacid, agreeably aromatic, sprightly ; 
good to very good ; September to November. 

POUND SWEET: See Pumpkin Sweet. 

PRIMATE. Fig. 43. Harvest. July Apple. 
Sour Harvest. Sour Bough. Primate is another 
choicely good fall apple, preceding Porter in 
season, and so different in most characters as 




sort, formerly a great favorite in New England, 
is hardly surpassed in tree-characters, but the 
apples are so coarse as to be fit only for 
cooking, and are none too good for culinary 
purposes. The variety has been grown in 
New England for a century. It seems to have 
been described first in 1832. 

Tree large, vigorous, round or spreading, open ; 
branches long, stout, curved. Fruit large, uniform in 
size and shape, oblate or conic, sometimes irregular, 
faintly ribbed, often compressed ; stem short, slender ; 
cavity acute ; basin small, shallow, medium in width, 
abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, pale 
yellow, sometimes with bronze blush on cheek, covered 
with russet patches or netted veins of russet ; dots large 
and small, scattering, russet, irregular ; calyx-tube short, 
wide, broadly conical ; stamens median ; core medium, 
abaxile ; cells usually open, symmetrical but not uni- 
formly developed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly 
ovate, emarginate, sometimes tufted ; seeds light brown, 
large, wide, flat, acute ; flesh greenish-white, firm, coarse, 
tender, juicy, sweet ; good ; September and Octotter. 

PUMPKIN SWEET. Fig. 44. Pound 

Sweet. Rhode Island Sweet. Vermont Sweet. 
Pumpkin Sweet is the standard sweet apple of 
its season. The fruits are esteemed for baking, 




43. Primate. {XV2) 



44 .Pumpkin Sweet. (XVa) 



to be hardly a rival. By many it is considered 
the best variety of its season, by reason of 
high quality of fruit and trees that grow vig- 
orously and bear reliably and abundantly. 
The variety fails in commercial plantations 
because the crop ripens over a period of sev- 
eral weeks. Unfortunately, the trees are in- 
viting prey to the canker-fungi, because of 
which they are often short-lived. The variety 
is a welcome addition in every home orchard 
to precede Porter. Primate grew as a seedling 
on the farm of Calvin D. Bingham, Camillus, 
New York, about 1840. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit 
medium, sometimes large, round-conic or oblate-conic, 
often distfnctly ribbed ; stem short, thick ; cavity acute, 
deep, broad, furrowed ; calyx closed ; lobes long, narrow ; 
basin shallow, medium in width, abrupt, furrowed and 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth, light green or 
yellow, blushed but not striped ; dots scattering, numer- 
ous, small, submerged or russet ; calyx-tube large, long, 
broadly conical ; stamens median ; core large, axile or 
abaxile with hollow cylinder in the axis ; cells sym- 
metrical, open; core-lines cla';:iing ; carpels cordate; 
seeds large, wide, plump, acute ; flesh white, fine, crisp, 
very tender, juicy, subacid, aromatic, sprightly ; very 
good to best ; August and September. 

PUMPKIN RUSSET. Pumpkin Sweet. 
Pumpkin Sweetmg. Sweet Russet. This old 



canning, and stewing, but are too coarse and 
not delicately enough flavored for dessert. 
The crop holds up well both under handling 
and in storage. In the markets, especially in 
New York, the variety is generally known as 
Pound Sweet. The trees are very satisfactory 
from every point of view excepting hardiness, 
as they suffer both from winter-injury and 
from sun-scald. This variety has been much 
confused with other sweet apples, but can be 
distinguished from similar sorts by its large 
fruits, of greenish-yellow color, sometimes 
bronzed on the cheek, but never marked with 
red nor with russet except about the cavity. 
It originated in the orchard of S. Lyman, 
Manchester, Connecticut, early in the nine- 
teenth century. It is rather widely distributed 
in the United States. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open, with 
long, stout branches. Fruit large or very large, uniform 
in size and shape, globular or round-conic, sometimes 
irregularly elliptical or prominently ribbed ; stem very 
short, stout, often inserted under a lip or having a 
fleshy protuberance ; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, 
often furrowed or lipped, sometimes russeted ; calyx 
large, open ; lobes separated at the base, short, broad, 
acute : l>asin small, deep, narrow, abrupt, often furrowed 
or wrinkled"; skin thin, tough, smooth, yellow marbled 
with greenish-yellow, with stripes of white scarf-skin 



RALLS 



RED ASTRACHAN 



53 



radiating from the cavity, sometimes with a brownish- 
red blush but never red : dots conspicuous, white, often 
areolar with russet center ; calyx-tube wide, conical ; 
stamens median ; core large, axile_i cells symmetrical, 
closed or open, not uniformly developed ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels thin, broadly round, but slightly 
emarginate if at all, often tutted ; seeds small, wide, 
plump, acute, light brown, tufted ; Hesh yellow, firm, 
crisp and juicy, sweet with a peculiar iiavor ; good ; 
October to January. 

RALLS. Genet. Geneton. Genneling. Janet. 
Ralls Genet. Winter Genneting. Ralls is a south- 
ern apple, but its good characters have enabled 
it to gain a foothold in parts of the North and 
West as well. The apples are not large, nor 
are they attractive in shape or color; but 
they are excellent in quality, and this has 
given the variety high place in the South, par- 
ticularly in regions where the poorly flavored 
Ben Davis and York Imperial are the chief 
commercial apples. The young trees annually 
bear large crops of apples of fair size, but the 
old trees are biennial in bearing, and the 
apples, though borne in great abundance, are 
small. The variety is noted as one of the 
latest to bloom, so that it often escapes un- 
favorable weather at blooming time. The 
origin of Ralls is not known, but it first came 
to the notice of fruit-growers about 1800 on 
the farm of Caleb Ralls, Amherst County, 
Virginia. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
inclined to droop, dense. Fruit medium in size, uniform 
in size and shape, round-oblate or round-conic, sym- 
metrical ; stem long and slender ; cavity obtuse, deep, 
sometimes compressed or furrowed, often russeted ; calyx 
small, open ; basin often oblique, wide, shallow, abrupt, 
wrinkled ; skin smooth, yellow blushed and mottled with 
red, indistinctly striped with carmine, overspread with 
light bloom which with broken stripes of thin scarf-skin 
gives the fruit a dull appearance ; dots numerous, small, 
white or russet ; calyx-tube broad cone-shape ; stamens 
marginal ; core axile or abaxile ; cells closed or partly 
open : core-lines meeting or clasping ; carpels flat, 
broadly round, emarginate, tufted ; seeds narrow, plump, 
acute, dark ; flesh white, firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, 
juicy, subacid, aromatic, pleasant ; very good ; No- 
vember to April. 

RAMBO. Fall Romanite. Gray Romanite. 
Large Rambo. Striped Rambo. Externally, 
the fruit of Rambo is almost a counterpart of 
that of the better-known Domine. The flavor 
and the season of the two apples, however, is 
quite distinct. Rambo is a mildly and richly 
flavored late autumn apple, while Domine is 
much more sprightly in flavor and is a long- 
keeping winter apple. The trees of Rambo are 
doubtfully hardy, with wood so brittle as often 
to break under heavy loads. The variety has 
never taken a prominent place among com- 
mercial apples, and is surpassed for home use 
by several of its orchard associates. Its origin 
is unknown, but Coxe, in 1817, noted that it 
was much gro\vn in Delaware, Pennsylvania, 
and New Jersey — whence it spread westward 
to parts of the Mississippi Valley, in many 
localities of which it is still a favorite fruit. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
open, the old bark peculiarly rough. Fruit medium in 
size, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate or round- 
oblong, symmetrical, usually regular but sometimes 
faintly ribbed; stem short, slender; cavity regular, wide, 
deep, acute, usually with outspreading russet ; calyx 
small, usually closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; basin wide, 



deep, abrupt, often furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, 
tough, smooth or roughened with russet dots, pale 
yellow, mottled with red, striped with carmine and 
overspread with gray bloom ; dots conspicuous, large, 
white, gray or russet ; calyx-tube funnel-form, long with 
wide limb ; stamens median ; core small, axile ; cells 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels round to broadly 
obovate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds large, broad, flat, 
obtuse, tufted, light and dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; 
good to very good ; October to December or January. 

RAMSDELL SWEET. Hurlbut. Rams- 
dell's Red. Red Pumpkin Sieeet. Ramsdell 
Sweet was once popular because of the hand- 
some red color and good quality of the apples, 
which, however, are not uniform in size or 
shape. The trees are not fruitfvd enough to 
give the variety value for commercial planta- 
tions. Ramsdell Sweet was brought to notice 
by Rev. H. S. Ramsdell, Thompson, Connecti- 
cut, about 1838. Its culture is confined to the 
East and North. 

Tree vigorous, upright, open. Fruit medium or large, 
variable in size, uniform in shape, oblong-conic or 
round-conic, often elliptical and faintly ribbed ; stem 
short, slender, often red ; cavity acuminate, deep, broad, 
symmetrical, often russeted ; calyx small, closed or 
open ; lobes narrow, abrupt, faintly furrowed and 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, yellow, overspread 
with dark red, with obscure splashes and stripes of 
carmine, overspread with bloom ; dots many, distinct, 
conspicuous, large, pale yellow or gray, often sub- 
merged; prevailing effect red ; calyx-tube large, long, 
cylindrical ; stamens median ; core small, axile or 
abaxile ; cells sj-mmetrical but not uniformly developed, 
closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels ovate ; seeds 
small, narrow, plump, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, 
tender, juicy, sweet ; good to very good ; October to 
February. 

RED ASTRACHAN. Fig. 45. Red As- 
trachan is the standard red summer apple for 
home orchards in the United States and Can- 
ada, not because it is best in any of its char- 




45. Red Astrachan (X%) 

acters, but because it is considerably above 
the average in all. The apples are beautiful 
in color and shape when well grown, but are 
often poorly colored and lacking in uniformity 
of size and shape. They are fit for cooking 
long before maturity, and, when fully ripe, are 
fair for dessert, having a long season of useful- 
ness. The trees come into bearing young and 
bear regularly and abundantly, but are short- 
lived and subject to most of the ills that 
apple-trees are heir to. The apples cannot be 
handled or stored, and, therefore, the varietv 
has small place as a market fruit. Red As- 



54 



RED CANADA 



RHODE ISLAND GREENING 



trachan is a Russian apple introduced into 
America in 1835, and has long been grown in 
all of the apple regions of America. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit 
medium to large, not uniform in size or sliape, round- 
oblate, conical, ribbed, sides unequal ; stem slender, 
bracted ; cavity acute, deep, broad, often russeted witli 
greenish-russeti usually symmetrical, sometimes lipped ; 
calv-x large, open, or closed ; lobes long, broad ; basin 
sliaUow, narrow, obtuse, wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, 
smooth, pale yellow often overspread with light and 
dark red, splashed and irregularly striped with deep 
crimson or carmine and covered with heavy bloom ; dots 
numerous, white ; calyx-tube long, funnel-form ; stamens 
median ; core small, abaxile ; cells closed or open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels broadly ovate, tufted ; seeds small, 
wide, plump, obtuse ; flesh white often tinged with red, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, brisk subacid, aromatic, some- 
times astringent ; good to very good ; late July to 
September. 

RED CANADA. Fig. 46. Canada Red- 
streak. Red Winter. Steele's Red. Were the 
trees as satisfactory as the fruit. Red Canada 
would take high rank among the commercial 
apples of the country. The apples are char- 
acterized by firm, crisp, fine-grained, juicy, 
aromatic, richly flavored iiesh; they are me- 




46. Red Canada. (XVa) 

dium to large, shapely, uniform in size and 
shape, and colored a beautiful fine, deep red, 
striped with deeper red on a background of 
yellow, the whole surface being conspicuously 
"marked with large fawn-colored dots. The 
trees, however, signally fail; they are precari- 
ously hardy, lack in vigor, subject to most of 
the troubles that apple flesh is heir to, fastidi- 
ous as to soils, and seldom sure or annual 
bearers. Red Canada probably originated in 
New England a hundred or more years ago, 
and has been most largely planted in New 
England, New York, and Michigan. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright ; branches 
short, stout, curved, crooked. Leaves broad, thin. Fruit 
medium to large, uniform in size and shape, round-conic, 
flattened at the base, symmetrical and regular, some- 
times elliptical or obscurely ribbed and with sides a 
little unequal ; stem slender, pubescent ; cavity large, 
acuminate, deep, wide, often russeted and with radiating 
green or russet rays, symmetrical, sometimes furrowed ; 
calyx small, closed or partly open, pubescent ; basin 
small, narrow, shallow, abrupt, furrowed and sometimes 
wrinkled, often oblique ; skin tough, smooth toward the 
cavity, rough about the basin, light yellow overspread 
with a deep red blush, indistinctly striped with deeper 
red ; dots conspicuous, gray or fawn colored, towards 
the cavity scattering, large and elongated but towards 
the apex * more numerous and smaller ; prevailing effect 
deep red ; calyx-tube elongated-cone-shape ; stamens 
marginal ; core sessile, axile, small ; cells symmetrical, 
closed or slit ; core-lines clasping ; carpels smooth, 



round, narrowing toward the apex, mucronate ; seeds 
numerous, large, angular, long, wide, plump, obtuse; 
flesh yellow, firm, crisp, fine-grained, tender, juicy, 
aromatic, rich, agreeably subacid ; good to best ; October 
to March. 

RED JUNE. Fig. 47. Carolina June. Caro- 
lina Red. June. Red June is characterized by its 
small, deep red, round apples of uniform size 
and shape. The flesh is white, rimmed and 




47. Red June. (XVz) 

stained with red, juicy, sprightly, refreshing, 
rich, and very good. The variety is grown in 
full perfection only in the South and parts of 
the West, though well worth growing as far 
north as the Baldwin is hardy, furnishing in the 
South an excellent summer apple and in the 
North a very good fall fruit. Red June is 
supposed to have originated in North Carolina, 
having been first described in 1848, though it 
is probably much older. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, with short, stout, curved 
branches. Fruit small, uniform in size and shape, round- 
ovate or oblong, regular, sides usually unequal ; stem 
variable, usually long, slender ; cavity small, acuminate, 
shallow, narrow, s.vmmetrical, sometimes compressed ; 
calyx large, leafy, closed or open ; lobes long, narrow, 
acuminate ; basin small, shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth 
or wavy ; skin thin, tender, smooth, glossy, pale yellow, 
overspread with deep red, very dark red on the ex- 
posed cheek ; dots numerous, very small, light ; calyx- 
tube short, wide, conical ; stamens median ; core large, 
axile or somewhat abaxile ; cells sjTnmetrical, open or 
sometimes closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly 
ovate ; seeds dark brown, numerous, small, plump, 
acute : flesh white, fine, tender, juicy, brisk subacid ; 
good to very good ; July to October. 

RHODE ISLAND GREENING. Fig. 48. 
Rhode /■■iland. Greening. This is the favor- 
ite green apple of the contment. It ranks 
among the first half dozen commercial varieties 
of the country, and is to be found in as many 
home orchards as any other apple. Fruit- and 
tree-characters contribute in equal measure 
to its popularity. In color, the apples are a 
mellow shade of yellow with a dull blush or 
occasionally a pale red cheek — not showy 
but pleasing. The apples are substantially 
large, never coarse, in general symmetrically 
rotund, and very uniform in size and shape. 
The fruit ranks high among dessert apples,, 
and for culinary purposes is unsurpassed. The 
flesh is tender, very juicy, and has the mellow, 
yellow tint of the skin. The flavor is rich but 
does not cloy, pleasantly acidulous, always 
refreshing, and as the apples ripen they de- 
velop a delightful aroma. The trees are of 



RIBSTON 



ROMAN STEM 



55 



largest size, have wide-spreading, drooping 
branches, rejoice in health and vigor, load 
themselves with fruit, and are long-lived. The 
faults of the fruits are that they bruise rather 




48. Rhode Island Greening. (X^) 

easily, are often disfigured by apple-scab, and 
scald badly in cold storage. The trees fail in 
not always holding their load well, in suscepti- 
bility to apple-scab, and in tenderness to cold. 
The variety is more fastidious to climate than 
to soil, refusing to flourish either in extreme 
northern or in southern apple regions. It 
prefers the fertile mtervale lands of New York 
or Michigan, whether sandy loam or clayey 
loam, requiring alwaj^s good drainage. The 
name commemorates the state of its nativity, 
but when and where in Rhode Island it first 
grew is not known. Its cultivation dates back 
nearly 200 years. 

Tree large, %'igorous, wide-spreading, drooping. Leaves 
large, broad, foliage dense. Fruit large or very 
large, uniform in shape and size, round or round- 
oblate, sometimes conic, regular or a little elliptical, 
sometimes obscurely ribbed, s.vmmetrical or sides slightly 
unequal; stem medium in length, green, pubescent; 
cavity acute, medium in depth and width, sj'mmetrical 
or rarely lipped, smooth, sometimes russeted and with 
narrow, outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, closed, 
sometimes partly open, pubescent ; lobes long, acute ; 
basin small, shallow, obtuse, regular or furrowed ; skin 
thick, tough, smooth, waxy, green or yellow, sometimes 
with brownish-red blush which rarely deepens to red ; 
dots greenish-white or russet, especially numerous toward 
the basin and often submerged ; prevailing effect green 
or yellow ; calyx-tube wide, cone-shape with fleshy pistil 
point projecting into the base ; stamens median ; core 
small, Hbaxile ; cells uniform, symmetrical, closed or 
partly open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels thin, flat, 
emarginate, round to round-cordate, sometimes tufted ; 
seeds few, often abortive, large, narrow, long, acute, 
sometimes tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, 
tender, juicy, rich, sprightly subacid ; very good in 
quality ; November to March. 

RIBSTON. Essex Pippin. Ribston Pippin. 
Ribston is one of the few exotic apples 
worth growing in America. The apples are 
not attractive in appearance, but have a fine 
rich flavor, a pleasant aroma, and firm, fine, 
crisp flesh that fit them admirably for dessert. 
The trees are hardy, vigorous, and long-lived, 
come in bearing young, and are annually fruit- 
ful, though not sufficiently productive nor do 
they hold the crop well enough to make a mar- 
ket variety. Ribston originated in Yorkshire, 
England, over two centuries ago, and has been 
grown in America for at least a century, thriv- 



ing best in New York, New England, and 
Canada. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, with stout, 
stocky branches. Fruit medium or large, uniform in 
size and shape, round, broad and flattened at the base, 
narrowing toward the basin, occasionally round-oblong, 
often broadly and obscurely ribbed ; stem pubescent, 
short, occasionally slender, more often thick, sometimes 
irregularly swollen or inserted under a lip ; cavity large, 
acute, deep, wide, sometimes furrowed or compressed, 
russeted and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx vari- 
able, small, closed or partly open ; lobes separated at 
the base, erect, tips usually refiexed ; basin small, shal- 
low, narrow, abrupt, or occasionally obtuse, often 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin smooth or roughened with 
russet, yellow overspread with dull red which in highly- 
colored specimens deepens to bright red, with obscure 
carmine stripes and splashes ; dots scattering, con- 
spicuous toward the base, more numerous and smaller 
toward the basin, pale, often areolar with russet center ; 
calyx-tube wide, cone-shape ; stamens basal ; core small, 
axile or with a narrow, hollow cylinder at the axis ; cells 
regular, closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels elliptical, 
emarginate. tufted ; seeds variable, some abortive, light 
and dark brown, large, wide, long, obtuse, sometimes 
slightly tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, very crisp, juicy, 
pleasantly aromatic, rich, sprightly subacid ; very good ; 
September to December. 

RICHARD GRAFT. Red Spitzenberg. 
Strawberry. Wine. Richard Graft is a product 
of the Hudson Valley, New York, and at pres- 
ent is grown only there. It is a fall apple, 
superior because choicely good in quality, but 
suitable for a home product onlj', as the crop 
ripens in a succession of several weeks. The 
trees are satisfactorj' except in bearing bien- 
nially. The variety was introduced in 1860 
by E. G. Studley, Claverack, New York. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, open. Fruit 
of medium size, round-oblate ; stem of medium length, 
slender ; cavity small, closed ; basin of medium size ; 
skin jellow, covered with stripes and splashes of deep 
red : flesh yellow, very tender, juicy, aromatic, subacid ; 
very good ; September. 

ROLFE. Macomber. Rolfe is a somewhat 
popular variety in cold regions because of 
superior hardiness, though it is above the 
average in both fruit- and tree-characters. The 
variety originated in the town of Guilford, 
Maine, about 1S20, and is said to be a seedling 
of Blue Pearmain. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading and drooping, dense ; 
laterals slender, willowy. Fruit sometimes large, uniform 
in shape and size, round or round-oblate, regular or 
angular, symmetrical ; stem short to medium, slender ; 
cavity acute, deep, wide, sometimes furrowed or com- 
pressed ; calyx small, medium, closed ; lobes short, wide, 
acute ; basin large, regular, shallow, narrow, abrupt, 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, glossy, pale yellow, some- 
times blushed or in well-colored specimens shaded and 
striped with red ; dots numerous, inconspicuous, small ; 
prevailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube narrow, short, 
funnel-sliape ; stamens median ; core variable, medium 
to large, abaxile ; cells usually symmetrical, wide open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels markedly concave, broadly 
ovate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds large, long and narrow, 
plump, acute, light brown ; flesh yellow, fine-grained, 
crisp, tender, juicy, brisk subacid ; good ; late Septem- 
ber to January. 

ROMAN STEM. French Pippin. This 
apple, described as early as 1817, is still more 
or less grown in the South, in the Mississippi 
Valley, and in the Pacific states. In the try- 
ing climate of the Great Plains, it is hardier 
than almost any other excepting Russian 
apples. The fruits are suitable for home use 



56 



ROME BEAUTY 



ST. LAWRENCE 



only, lacking in size and in keeping qualities. 
The original tree was found near Burlington, 
New Jersey, where it still stood in 1817. 

Tree moderately vigorous, spreading, irregular, very 
hardy and very productive ; fruit small to medium, 
round, uniform ; stem with a fleshy protuberance from 
the neighboring part, resembling a Roman nose, whence 
the name Roman Stem ; skin rough, yellow, clouded and 
spotted ; flesh tender, mild, juicy, with an agreeable 
flavor ; good ; early winter. 

ROME BEAUTY. Fig. 49. Rome. Rome 
Beauty is a desirable commercial apple in all 
apple regions except northern ones, where in 
its early years at least, it is precariously hardy. 
The best characters are those of the tree. The 
trees, while of but medium size, are vigorous, 
come in bearing early, load with fruit annually, 
and in high winds the apples persist on the 
long stems and flexible branches better than 
those of almost any other variety. The trees 
are susceptible to blight and the scab-fungus — 
unfortunate faults. The apples are large, 
smooth, handsome, uniform in size and shape, 
thick-skinned, and, therefore, ship and keep 
well, but are of only mediocre quality. Gen- 




49. Rome Beauty. (XVa) 

erally speaking, Rome Beauty does best in 
southern latitudes or in the mild western 
climates, yet it is grown to perfection in some 
parts of New York and Michigan. It requires 
rich soils, failing in which, the fruits are under- 
sized and poorly colored. Rome Beauty origi- 
nated with H. N. Gillet, Lawrence County, 
Ohio, who brought it to the attention of fruit- 
growers in 1848. 

Tree vigorous, small, at first upright but later spread- 
ing and drooping, with slender, lateral branches. Leaves 
long. Fruit medium to very large, uniform in size 
and shape, round, round-conic, or oblong, regular or 
faintly ribbed, usually symmetrical but sometimes with 
sides unequal ; stem characteristically long, slender, 
often oblique ; cavity large, characteristically obtuse 
and smooth, shallow, wide, sometimes compressed or 
lipped, often gently furrowed, green or red, never rus- 
seted ; calyx small, closed or open ; lobes converging 
above but separated toward the base ; basin small, shal- 
low, narrow, abrupt, usually furrowed or wrinkled ; 
skin thick, tough, smootli, yellow mottled with bright 
red which in highly-colored specimens deepens to solid 
red on the exposed cheek, striped with bright carmine ; 
dots numerous, white or brown, small ; calyx-tube cone- 
shape, often with fleshy pistil point projecting into the 
base ; stamens marginal ; core medium to large, abaxile ; 
cells sometimes unsymmetrical, open ; core-lines meeting ; 
carpels round, narrowing toward base and apex, some- 



times obtusely emarginate, mucronate ; seeds 
plump, acute, tufted, light and dark brown ; flesh 
yello.v, firm, fine-grained to coarse, crisp, juicy, aromatic, 
mild subacid ; good ; November to May. 

ROXBURY RUSSET. Fig. 50. Boston 
Russet. Rox. Roxbury. Russet. Roxbury is 
the best known russet apple in America. The 
apples are notable keepers and before the days 
of cold storage were to be found under the 




50. Roxbury Russet. {XV2) 

name "Russet," or "Rox," in all apple markets. 
With the coming of cold storage, the demand 
for the long-keeping, dull-colored russet apples 
has fallen off, and the popularity of Roxbury 
is now on the wane. The rough, tough-skinned, 
yellowish-brown, russeted fruits are known by 
all. The flesh, too, is distinct with its yellow- 
green color, its tenderness, and its pleasing 
sprightly flavor. The fruit is remarkable for 
the amount of sugar contained, making this 
about the best sort for cider. The variety does 
best in rich intervale soils, and is most popular 
in New England and westward into Michigan. 
Roxbury is supposed to have originated in 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, nearly 300 years ago, 
and is, therefore, one of the oldest American 
varieties. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, round-spreading. 
Fruit large, variable in size and sliape, oblate or oblate- 
conic, often broadly and obscurely angular and some- 
times remarkably elliptical, sides unequal ; stem short, 
tliick or swollen, pubescent, often red on one side ; 
cavity acute, deep, wide, sometimes lipped ; calyx large, 
pubescent, closed or partly open ; lobes long, sometimes 
short, obtuse ; basin variable, narrow, obtuse, furrowed 
and often wrinkled ; skin tough, covered with yellowish- 
brown russet, colored specimens developing a bronze 
blush which rarely deepens to red ; dots russet or gray ; 
calyx-tube large, wide, with fleshy pistil point project- 
ing into the base, conical ; stamens basal ; core axile ; 
cells symmetrical, closed, rarely partly open ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels flat, elongated and narrowing toward 
the apex, sometimes emarginate, mucronate, tufted ; seeds 
few, often abortive, long, plump, acute, tufted ; flesh 
yellow, firm, coarse, tender, breaking, juicy, sprightly 
subacid ; good to very good ; Decemljer to May. 

ST. LAWRENCE. Montreal. St. Law- 
rence is an apple of the Fameuse type ; the 
fruits greatly resemble those of Fameuse, but 
seldom equal them except in size, being usually 
much larger. It thrives in New England and 
parts of Canada and is especially prized along 
the St. Lawrence River. Its origin is not 
known, but it is probably a seedling of Fa- 
meuse grown in lower Canada early in the 
nineteenth century. 



SALOME 



SHARP 



57 



Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading. 
Fruit large, oblate-conic or round-oblate, faintly ribbed ; 
stem short, slender ; cavity large, acute, deep, regular, 
greenish-russeted ; calyx small, closed ; basin small, 
narrow, deep, abrupt, wrinkled ; skin pale yellow washed 
and marbled with red, striped and splashed with dark 
carmine and overspread with thin bloom ; dots numerous, 
obscure, fine, russet ; calyx-tube narrow, cone-shape ; 
stamens median; core medium in size, abaxile; cells 
partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels obovate, emargi- 
nate ; flesh white, stained with red, tender, fine-grained, 
crisp, juicy, mild subacid ; good to very good ; Septem- 
ber and October. 

SALOME. Salome is a very good commer- 
cial apple in the southern Mississippi Valley. 
The characters commendmg the fruits are : 
ability to stand handling well, long-keeping 
qualities, and freedom from apple-scab. The 
outstanding characters of the tree are: hardi- 
ness, heulthfulness, vigor, productiveness, early 
and nearly annual bearing. The variety needs 
a long season to develop either fruit or tree. 
Salome originated about 1853 in Ottawa, Illi- 
nois. 

Tree vigorous, large, upright, dense. Fruit medium 
in size, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate to round- 
ovate, often elliptical, obscurely ribbed, usually sym- 
metrical ; stem long, slender ; cavity large, acute, deep, 
broad, often compressed or obscurely furrowed, thinly 
russeted ; calyx small, closed ; basin often depressed, 
sometimes deep and inclined to abrupt, usually narrow, 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, pale 
yellow mottled and blushed with red and obscurely 
striped with carmine, marked toward the cavity with 
gray scarf-skin and covered with bloom ; dots conspicu- 
ous, pale gray, often areolar with russet point ; calyx- 
tube small, cone-shape ; stamens basal ; core large, 
abaxile ; cells often unsymmetrical, usually wide open, 
sometimes closed; core-lines meeting; carpels thin, 
smooth, often concave, broadly round, sometimes emargi- 
nate ; seeds numerous, wide, obtuse, light and dark 
brown ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, 
juicy, sprightly subacid ; good to very good ;" November 
to March. 

SANDY GLASS. This Russian variety 
bears attractive greenish-yellow fruits, which, 
however, are of inferior quality and come at 
a season when there are many better apples. 
The trees are extremely hardy, and the variety, 
therefore, has value in cold regions. Sandy 
Glass was imported from Russia about 1880. 

Tree small, vigorous, flat, spreading, drooping. Fruit 
large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate or ovate, 
regular, sometimes obscurely ribbed ; stem short, thick ; 
cavity small, acuminate, deep, narrow, usually sym- 
metrical, more or less russeted and often with out- 
spreading rays of thin russet ; calyx small, closed ; lobes 
short, acute; basin shallow, wide, lightly furrowed, 
wrinkled ; skin pale yellow, faintly blushed and over- 
spread with bloom ; dots numerous, small, submerged, 
with some large and russet ; calyx-tube long, wide, 
conical ; stamens median ; core axile ; cells symmetrical, 
closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels ovate, deeply 
cmarginate ; seeds large, wide, plump, acute, dull dark 
brown ; flesh white or with green tinge, fine, tender, 
juicy, brisk subacid ; fair to good ; September to early 
winter. 

SCARLET PIPPIN. Crimson Beauty. 
Crimson Pippin. This is a Canadian apple of 
the Fameuse type ; the fruits are somewhat 
similar to those of the well-known Mcintosh, 
but differ in being firmer in flesh, more aciti 
and not so good in quality. Scarlet Pippin 
originated about 1860 near Brockville, Ontario. 
Its culture is confined to Canada, New Eng- 
land, and nearby states. 



Tree vigorous, upright. Fruit of medium =ize, round- 
oblate, regular ; stem short, stout ; cavity acute shallow 
wide, sometimes lipped ; calyx closed or open ; basin 
narrow, shallow, wrinkled ; core small ; flesh white, firm 
crisp, tender, melting, juicy, mild subacid w'ith a 
pleasant aa\-or ; very good ; fall and early winter. 

SCOTT WINTER. Scott's Red Winter. 
Scott. This variety at one time played an im- 
portant part as a commercial apple in New 
England, but seems now to be passing from 
cultivation. It came into prominence because 
of the hardiness, healthfulness, and reliability 
of the trees, and the long-keeping qualities of 
the apples. It is being superseded by better 
kmds, because the apples are small, uneven in 
shape and size, susceptible to scab, and with 
coarse flesh and austere flavor. The apple is 
now grown with profit only in a few parts of 
New England and Canada. It originated on 
the Scott farm, Newport, Vermont, about 1864. 

SEEK-NO-FURTHER. See Westfield. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit 
medium in size, round-conic or round-oblate, often 
irregularly elliptical, broadly ribbed ; stem short or 
very short ; cavity small, acuminate, deep, narrow, some- 
times gently furrowed, usually russeted and often with 
outspreading russet rays; calyx small, closed; lobes 
converging, usually rcHexed, narrow, acute ; basin small 
abrupt, usually deep, narrow, furrowed, often pubescent; 
skin smooth, thin, tough, pale yellow covered with 
red, mottled and striped with darker red ; dots scattering, 
obscure, pale yellow or russet ; calyx-tube long, cone- 
shape, sometimes extending into the core; stamens 
median ; core small, axile or abaxile with hollow central 
cylinder; cells uniformly developed, symmetrical, closed 
or partly open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels broadly 
round, elliptical, cmarginate, mucronate, smooth or 
nearly so; seeds numerous, small, narrow, acute, plump, 
dark, sometimes tufted; flesh yellow, sometimes stained 
with red, firm, crisp, coarse, tender, very juicy briskly 
subacid, eventually becoming mild subacid, aromatic: 
good : November to April. 

SHACKLEFORD. ShacklejordS Best. 
Shackleford is an apple of the Ben Davis type. 
The fruits of several rivals in season of the 
same group surpass it in flavor, in keeping 
qualities, and in appearance. The trees have 
the merits of bearing young and regularly, and 
of being productive, hardy. Shackleford was 
discovered near Athens, Missouri, some time 
previous to 1883. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, flat, spreading, droop- 
ing, open. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round 
or round-ovate, regular and symmetrical ; stem long, 
slender ; cavity small, acuminate, shallow, narrow sym- 
metrical, russeted ; calyx usually closed ; lobes long, 
broad, acute; basin large, deep, wide, abrupt, wrinkled 
and furrowed ; skin thick, tough, waxy, smooth, yellow 
washed with red. mottled and striped with carmine; 
dots inconspicuous, small, numerous, sometimes sub- 
merged, some inies russet ; calyx-tube short, cone-shape, 
often with a fli s ly pistil point projecting into the base ; 
stamens median ; core axile, small ; cells symmetrical, 
closed or open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels pointed 
ovate, emarginate ; seeds numerous, wide, plump, acute ; 
flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild 
subacid ; fair to ^ood ; November to April. 

SHARP. Sharp is a little known variety, 
often confused with Maiden Blush, which it 
does not equal in tree or fruit. A comparison 
of the descriptions enables one at once to dis- 
tinguish between the two, The variety can be 
traced to Halliday and Son, Baltimore, Mary- 
land, about 1880. It is more generally grown 
in Illinois than elsewhere. 



58 



SHIAWASSEE 



SOPS OF WINE 



Tree Bmall, upright, spreading, open ; branches short, 
stout. Fruit of medium size, uniform in shape and size, 
round-oblate or round-conic, sometimes oblong-conic, 
regular or very faintly ribbed, symmetrical ; stem short, 
not exserted ; cavity large, acute, deep, wide, sometimes 
furrowed and often russeted ; calyx small, closed or 
partly open ; lobes long ; basin shallow, deep, wide, 
abrupt, smooth or sometimes ridged or wrinkled ; skin 
pale yellow with a bright blush ; dots minute, pale or 
brown ; calyx-tube funnel-form ; stamens median to 
basal ; core medium in size, abaxile ; cells open or 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels elliptical, emargi- 
nate ; seeds large, long, flat, obtuse, dark ; tlesh white, 
firm, fine-grained, tender, crisp, juicy, mild subacid; 
very good ; late September into October. 

SHIAWASSEE. ShUiwassee BeaiUy. This 
is another Fameuse seedling, and one well de- 
ser\'ing general recognition, were it not that 
Mcintosh and Fameuse excel it in tree and 
fruit. The apples have the merit of keeping 
well and of adding variety in size, color, and 
flavor to the winter supply of fruits. The 
variety originated in the orchard of Beebe 
Truesdeil, Vernon, Michigan; it is little grown 
except in the state of its nativity. Its merits 
were first set forth in 1860. 

Tree of medium size, very hardy, vigorous, upright- 
spreading, healthy and long-lived. Fruit medium to 
large, uniform in shape but not in size, oblate-conic, 
regular or sometimes elliptical ; stem medium in length, 
slender ; cavity acute, deep, broad, symmetrical, some- 
times compressed, often with outspreading russet rays ; 
calyx small, closed ; lobes short, narrow ; basin shallow, 
wide, obtuse, somewhat furrowed and wrinkled, often 
compressed ; skin pale yellow, overspread with red, 
irregularly splashed and striped with carmine ; dots 
small, gray ; calyx-tube wide, conical ; stamens median ; 
core small, widely abaxile ; cells sj-mmetrical, usually 
open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels cordate ; flesh white, 
fine, crisp, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid, aromatic, 
sprightly ; good to very good ; October to January. 

SHOCKLEY. Sweet Romanite. This is 
an old southern sort widely grown under sev- 
eral names. Before cold storage became com- 
mon, Shockley was a favorite variety because 
of the long season of the fruits, which ripen in 
October and keep until the following summer. 
Its origin IS not known, but it is reported as 
having been long grown in Maryland. Catalogs 
describe it as follows: 

Tree erect, vigorous, coming into bearing early and 
very productive ; fruit of medium size, round-conical, 
uniform in size and shape, yellow, with a bright crimson 
cheek ; flesh Arm, subacid or almost sweet, with a dis- 
tincti\ e flavor ; quality fair to good ; October to May 
or June. 

SMITH CIDER. Cider. Pennsylvania 
Cider. This is an old-time favorite m Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, usually failing in 
more northern regions, but now disappearing 
because of poor fruit-characters. E.xcept in 
choice apple soils, the fruits do not attain 
sufficient size, attractive color, or high quality. 
The apples are not good enough for dessert, 
but give satisfaction for culinary purposes and, 
more particularly, for cider. The trees come 
in bearing young and are usually productive. 
The variety originated in Bucks County, Penn- 
sylvania, and seems to have been first de- 
scribed in 1817. 

Tree vigorous, tall, upright-spreading, open, with 
long, stout, straggling branches. Fruit medium to large, 
round-oblate, sometimes conic or oblong and truncate, 
regular, axis often oblique, sides sometimes unequal ; 



stem short, slender; cavity large, acute, deep, narrow, 
often with outspreading russet rays ; calyx open or 
sometimes closed ; lobes leafy, long, acute ; basin wide, 
very shallow and obtuse to deep and abrupt, somewhat 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, smooth or roughened 
with capillary russet lines about the basin, glossy, pale 
yellow mottled and shaded with red, splashed and striped 
with carmine ; dots white or russet, often areolar, con- 
spicuous ; prevailing effect bright red ; calyx-tube short 
and obtusely cone-shape ; stamens median ; core large, 
abaxile or nearly axile ; cells sjTnmetrical, open or 
closed ; core-lines meeting ; carpels thin, smooth, broadly 
round or narrowing irregularly toward the apex, acumi- 
nate, emarginate ; seeds numerous, wide, plump, obtuse, 
dark ; flesh white, firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, juicy, 
subacid becoming mild subacid, aromatic, sprightly ; 
good ; November to March. 




51. Smokehouse. (XVa) 

SMOKEHOUSE. Fig. 51. English Van- 
devert. Red Vandevere. When the characters 
of Smokehouse are set forth, the variety seems 
almost perfect; yet it is nowhere ver>' popular 
and it is being less and less planted. It is 
passing out, probably, because the apples lack 
high character in either flavor or appearance. 
The trees are vigorous, hardy, healthy, pro- 
ductive, come into bearing young, and hold 
their crop well. The variety originated on the 
farm of William Gibbons, Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, and was first brought to notice 
in 1848. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, wide-spreading, dense; 
lateral branches willowy, slender. Fruit medium to 
large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate or oblate- 
conic, regular, symmetrical ; stem medium to long, 
slender ; cavity acute, deep, narrow, sometimes furrowed, 
often thinly russeted ; calj-x large, open ; lobes often 
flat, convergent, separated at the base ; basin shallow, 
wide, sometimes compressed, abrupt, wrinkled ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, or roughened with capillary russet 
lines and russet dots ; color yellow mottled with dull 
red, sometimes deepening to a solid red, indistinctly 
mottled, striped and splashed with carmine ; dots con- 
spicuous, irregular, gray or russet, becoming smaller 
and more numerous about the basin ; prevailing effect 
greenish-yellow, in highly-colored specimens red ; calyx- 
tube wide, short, obtusely cone-shape ; stamens median ; 
core small, axile ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels flat, broadly elliptical to 
round or cordate, usually smooth ; seeds few, very dark, 
large, narrow ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, crisp, tender, 
juicy, mild subacid, delicately aromatic ; good ; October 
to March. 

SNOW: See Fameuse. 

SOPS OF WINE. Bennington. Early 
Washington. Strawberry. This is an old Eng- 
lish dessert, culinary, and cider apple, known in 
Europe since 1688, when it was described by 
Ray, and grown in America for nearly two cen- 
turies. The crimson apples are handsome, well- 



STARK 



STREAKED PIPPIN 



59 



flavored, and have fine-grained flesh, which is 
white stained with red. It is grown only on 
the Atlantic seaboard and even there is rapidly 
passing from cultivation. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in shape but not in size, round or 
round-conic, riblied, sides unequal; stem short, slender; 
cavity acute, deep, narrow, sometimes furrowed, with 
thin radiating russet rays ; calyx small, closed or slightly 
open ; lobes short ; basin shallow, narrow, furrowed, 
wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, roughened, greenish-yellow 
overspread with purplish-red, mottled, irregularly splashed 
and sometimes indistinctly striped with dark carmine, 
overspread with thin bloom ; dots small, few, light 
russet or yellow ; calyx-tube short, wide, cone-shape ; 
stamens marginal ; core of medium size, abaxile ; cells 
usually symmetrical but not uniformly developed, open ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels broad-ovate, concave, mu- 
cronate, tufted ; seeds large, wide, plump, obtuse ; flesh 
yellow often stained with pink, soft, fine, juicy, aromatic, 
mild, pleasant subacid ; good ; August to October. 

STARK. Stark surpasses most of its or- 
chard associates in all essential tree-characters 
— the trees being vigorous, hardy, healthy, pro- 
ductive, and very accommodating as to soils. 
The fruits are large, smooth, well-turned in 
shape, uniform, and keep well, but are dull 
and unattractive in color and not good enough 
in quality for a dessert fruit, though well liked 
for culinary purposes and prime favorites for 
drying. The flesh is firm and the skin thick 
and tough, qualities which make the crop de- 
sirable for distant shipment. Stark is one of 
the most cosmopolitan of all apples, thriving 
wherever apples are generally grown on this 
continent. The variety probably originated in 
Ohio, having been described first in 1867 as 
coming from that state. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with long, 
strong branches. Fruit large, sometimes very large, 
uniform in size and shape, round-conic, oblate or round- 
ovate, sides sometimes unequal ; stem short, stout ; 
cavity acuminate, deep, wide, sometimes furrowed, oc- 
casionally lipped, sometimes russeted and with out- 
spreading russet ; calyx large, closed or partly open ; 
basin shallow, oi)tuse, wide, wrinkled ; skin smooth or 
roughened with russet dots, pale yellow more or less 
blushed and mottled with red and indistinctly striped 
with darker red ; prevailing effect dull green and red, 
in highly-colored specimens bright red ; calyx-tube wide, 
truncate cone-shape with fleshy pistil point projecting 
into the base ; stamens median ; core small, axile ; cells 
uniform, symmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels thin, tender, flat, broadly round to 
obcordate, emarginate, mucronate, tufted ; seeds few, 
long, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, breaking, 
tender, juicy, sprightly, mild subacid ; fair to good ; 
November to April. 

STARR. The fruits of Starr are attractive 
green or yellow, early, and well-flavored — high 
enough in qualitj' for dessert. The crop ripens 
at a season when competition is keen, and the 
variety has, therefore, scarcely gone further 
than its native state. New Jersey, where, ac- 
cording to Downing, it appeared in 1865. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, with short, 
stout, curved l^ranches. Fruit large, uniform in size 
and shape, oblate or round-oblate, regular or faintly 
ribbed ; stem short, thick, sometimes swollen ; cavity 
acute, shallow, broad, smooth or gently furrowed ; calyx 
closed ; lobes long, narrow ; basin medium in depth, 
narrow, abrupt, furrowed ; skin thick, tough, smooth, 
yellowish-green, sometimes with a faint blush ; dots 
numerous, small and large, pale or russet ; calyx-tube 
long, conical, large, extending to the core ; stamens 
marginal ; core large, abaxile ; cells closed ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels obovate, sometimes tufted ; seeds dark 



brown, large, wide, plump, acute ; flesh yellow, fine, 
tender, crisp, verj* juicy ; good to very good ; August 
and September. 

STAYMAN. Fig. 52. Stayman Winesap. 
Stayman is a seedling of Winesap, which it 
much resembles in tree and fruit, but sur- 
passes in several essentials; thus, the fruits 
are larger and better-flavored; the trees are 
more productive and adapted to a much wider 




52. Stayman. (X%) 

range of soil and climate. The apples fall 
short in brilliancy of color, a defect which 
lessens their popularity for the fancy-fruit 
trade. The culture of Stayman Wmesap is 
limited to regions having a long season, for 
in northern latitudes the apples fail to attain 
perfection in size, color, or flavor. In the East, 
south of New York and Michigan, it is one of 
the most popular and valuable of all apples. 
The variety was grown from seed of Winesap 
planted in 1866 by Dr. J. Stayman, Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open. Fruit medium to 
large, round-conic or globular, flattened at the base and 
rounding toward the basin, sides sometimes unequal ; 
stem short : cavity large, acuminate, deep, often gently 
furrowed, sometimes compressed, russeted, sometimes with 
outspreading, broken, russet rays ; calyx small, closed ; 
lobes long, acute ; basin small, sometimes oblique, shal- 
low, narrow and obtuse to deep and abrupt, furrowed, 
wrinkled ; skin smooth, thick, tough, yellow, often cov- 
ered with dull red and indistinctly striped with carmine ; 
dots light gray and russet, large ; cal.vx-tube cone-shape, 
sometimes extending to the core ; stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core- 
lines clasping the cylinder ; carpels thin, tender, concave, 
elliptical, emarginate ; seeds usually long, obtuse, plump, 
often abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, tender, 
crisp, breaking, juicy, aromatic, sprightly, pleasant 
subacid ; good to vcrv good ; December to May. 

STREAKED PIPPIN. Hempstead. Quak- 
er. Red Pippin. Streaked Pippin is character- 
ized by the size and color of its fruit. The 
apples are large, sometimes very large, pre- 
dominantly yellow, but always distinctly 
streaked with red. They rank from good to 
very good in quality either for dessert or for 
culinary purposes. The trees are satisfactory, 
excepting that they ripen their crop unevenly 
and do not hold it to maturity. The variety 
originated at Westbury, Long Island, and was 
first noticed in 1869. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, drooping, 
dense. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round- 
oblong or round-conic, often faintly ribbed, symmetrical ; 



60 



STUMP 



SWAAR 



stem short to medium, slender to thick ; cavity acumi- 
nate, narrow, often furrowed, occasionally compressed, 
sometimes lipped, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, 
closed or open ; lobes short, obtuse ; basin shallow, nar- 
row, obtuse to wide and abrupt, often furrowed ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, covered with thin bloom which 
gives a dull effect, predominantly yellow, mottled and 
blushed with orange-red and distinctly striped with 
carmine; dots numerous and conspicuous, white or with 
russet point, often areolar ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens 
median ; core large, abaxile ; cells open or partly closed ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels very concave, broadly round- 
ish or approaching elliptical, mucronate, tufted ; seeds 
medium to large, plump, acute, tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, breaking, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid, aro- 
matic ; good to very good ; November to February. 

STUMP. Stump is so similar to the better- 
known Chenango in tree and fruit, having no 
qualities superior, that, though an excellent 
apple, it can never attain high rank in the lists 
of either home or commercial fruits. It 
originated on the grounds of John Prue, Chili, 
New York, and was first described m 1881. 

Tree vigorous, upright ; branches long, stout, curved. 
Fruit of medium size, uniform in size and shape, round- 
conic or oblong-conic, regular or faintly ribbed, sides 
sometimes unequal ; stem very short, variable in thick- 
ness ; cavity acute, shallow, broad, unsymmetrical, fre- 
quently furrowed, sometimes lipped, partly russeted ; 
calyx small, open or closed ; lobes short, narrow, acute ; 
basin shallow, narrow, abrupt ; skin smooth, pale yfellow 
washed and mottled with pinkish-red, becoming deep 
red in highly-colored specimens, indistinctly striped and 
splashed with bright carmine ; dots numerous, large, 
areolar with russet and white points ; prevailing effect 
red and yellow ; calyx-tube broadly conical with fleshy 
pistil point projecting into the base ; stamens basal ; 
core large, usually abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines meet- 
ing ; carpels elongated-ovate tapering toward base and 
apex ; seeds dark brown, small, very wide, short, plump, 
obtuse ; flesh white tinged with yellow, fine, tender, juicy, 
rich, aromatic, sprightly, pleasant subacid ; very good ; 
September and October. 

SUMMER QUEEN. Sweet Harvest, 
Queen. Summer Queen is an old variety, at 
one time rather largely grown in eastern 
United States, but now seldom planted except 
in the Pacific states, where it is still offered 
by several nurserymen. It is of value only 
for home use and local markets; the fruits 
ripen over a long season and do not ship or 
keep well. The variety seems to have been 
first described in 1806. 

Tree lacking in vigor, rather small, spreading, pro- 
ductive, bearing annually. Fruit medium to large, 
round-conic, somewhat angular ; stem medium to long, 
slender ; cavity narrow to wide, regular, deep ; calyx 
large, open, or closed ; basin shallow or none, furrowed ; 
skin yellow, striped, splashed and shaded with mixed 
red ; dots small, yellow ; core medium in size with cells 
open ; seeds numerous, acute, brown ; Hesh whitish- 
yellow, sometimes with a tinge of pink, firm, aromatic, 
juicy, subacid ; quality good to very good for culinary 
purposes ; August and September. 

SUMMER RAMBO. Rambour. Summer 
Ratnbour. This apple is of the type of the 
better-known Grosh, differing chiefly in ripen- 
ing its crop about a month earlier. The variety 
probably originated in France more than two 
centuries ago, and has been grown in America 
since 1800. It is now to be found, on this side 
of the Atlantic, only in Ohio and states to the 
West. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open. Fruit large 
or very large, uniform in size and shape, oblate or round- 
oblate, sometimes ovate, faintly ribbed, regular, sides 
often unequal ; stem short, thick ; cavity acuminate, 



deep, broad, usually symmetrical, sometimes lipped, 
sometimes russeted near the stem ; calyx large, closed 
or sometimes open ; lobes short, narrow, acute ; basin 
deep, wide, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical ; skin thick, 
tough, smooth, yellow or greenish, in well-colored speci- 
mens largely washed and mottled with red, conspicuously 
marked with many broken stripes and splashes of car- 
mine ; dots numerous, usually small and submerged, with 
some large, brown or russet ; prevailing effect striped ; 
calyx- tube medium in length, wide, broadly conical ; 
stamens median ; core small, axile ; cells closed ; core- 
lines meeting ; carpels round-ovate ; seeds frequently 
abortive, or large, wide, plump, acute, dark brown ; tlesh 
yellow, firm, breaking, coarse, tender, very juicy, mild 
subacid, somewhat aromatic ; good ; September to No- 
vember. 

SUTTON. Morris Red. Sutton Beauty. 
Few apples are more attractive in appearance 
or better in taste than those of Sutton. In 
consequence, the variety has been much sought 
after, but plantations of it have usually proved 
a failure because of weaknesses in the trees. 
The trees are very capricious as to soils, bear 
spasmodically, — even individuals show irregu- 
larities in bearing, often a branch producing 
while the rest of the tree is barren; and, worse 
than any other fault, Sutton takes longest of 
all varieties to come into fruiting. The variety 
has gone through its probationary period and 
by common consent is a failure as a commer- 
cial apple, but the uniform size, symmetrical 
shape, and delectable quality of the fruit make 
it a most desirable sort for the home orchard 
and fancy-fruit market. The name commemo- 
rates the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, in 
which the variety originated some time previ- 
ous to 1849. Sutton is chiefly grown in New 
York and New England. 

Tree vigorous, upright, dense, with stout branches. 
Leaves narrow, dark green. Fruit rarely large, uniform 
in size and shape, round or oblong, rounding toward 
cavity and basin, symmetrical, regular or very slightly 
ribbed ; stem short, sometimes fleshy ; cavity acute, wide, 
symmetrical, often with greenish-russet ; calyx partly 
open, sometimes closed, pubescent ; lobes long, acuminate ; 
basin shallow and obtuse to deep and abrupt, furrowed 
and wrinkled, sometimes compressed ; skin thin, tough, 
often roughened toward the basin by concentric russet 
lines and fine russet dots, otherwise glossy and smooth, 
bright rod striped with carmine ; prevailing effect red ; 
calyx-tube symmetrical, conical ; stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels broadly cordate, emarginate, sometimes 
tufted ; seeds light brown, small, plump, acute, some- 
times tufted ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, crisp, 
tender, juicy, mild subacid ; good to very good ; No- 
vember to March. 

SWAAR. Swaar is distinguished by green- 
ish-yellow fruits, covered with dots and flecks 
of russet, which have heavy, aromatic flesh of 
uncommonly rich flavor. The apples keep well 
both in ordinary and cold storage. Though 
the apples are comparatively unattractive, 
the faults of the variety are chiefly those of 
the trees, which are neither long-lived nor 
hardy ; suffer much from apple-canker ; lack 
vigor; are shy bearers; and lose a large part 
of the crop as drops or culls. Swaar was early 
produced by the Dutch settlers in the Hudson 
River Valley, and has long been a favorite in 
that region. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, round to spreading, 
dense ; branches inclined to droop. Fruit medium to 
large, uniform in size and shape, round-oblate, often 
ribbed, regular, symmetrical ; stem medium in length, 



SWAZIE 



SWEET WINESAP 



61 



Blender ; cavity large, acute, deep, wide, often furrowed, 
usually russeted and with broken outspreading russet ; 
calyx small, closed or open ; lobes broad, obtuse, usually 
connivent ; basin small, shallow, obtuse, wide, fur- 
rowed and wrinkled ; skin tough, roughened with dots 
and flecks of russet, yellow, often shaded with a bronze 
blush ; dots numerous, green or russet ; prevailing effect 
yellow ; calyx-tube cone-shape ; stamens median ; core 
small, axilc, with hollow cylinder in the axis ; cells 
symmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels thin, tender, broadly round, emarginate, mu- 
cronate, sometimes tufted ; seeds numerous, broad, plump, 
obtuse, light brown ; tlesh yellow, firm, tender, fine- 
grained, juicy, mild or very mild subacid, aromatic, 
rich ; very good to best ; November to April. 

SWAZIE. Goldm Gray. Swazie is very 
similar in fruit and tree to Ponime Grise. 
The fruits, however, in most respects are an 
improvement. Thus, the golden russet color 
makes them more attractive ; they are, too, 
more aromatic ; a little more richly flavored ; 
of slightly larger size; and further distin- 
guished by being more oblong. Unfortunately 
the trees are not productive and but fairly 
vigorous, though very hardy. The variety 
originated on the Swazie farm, Niagara. Can- 
ada, and was first described by Downing in 
1872. Swazie is a comparatively rare variety 
except in Ontario and Quebec. 

Tree vigorous, upright. Fruit small, oblate, conical or 
round; stem short, slender; cavity narrow, acute, deep; 
calyx closed or partly open ; lobes broad, obtuse ; basin 
nil niw, medium in depth, furrowed gently, wrinkled ; 
skin pale yellow with some cinnamon-russet ; dots nu- 
merous, white ; calyx-tube elongated, cone-shape ; stamens 
median ; core small, abaxile, often with hollow cylinder 
in the axis ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels broadly round, truncate at the base, 
narrowing toward the apex, mucronate ; seeds numerous, 
small, narrow to broad, often angular, usually obtuse ; 
flesh pale yellow, fine-grained, tender, crisp, juicy, highly 
aromatic, sprightly, mild subacid, pleasant ; very good 
to best ; December to March. 

SWEET BOUGH. Fig. 53. August Sweet. 
Autumn Bough. Bough. Early Bough. Yellow 
Bough. Sweet Bough is acknowledged by all 
to be the best summer sweet apple. The 
tender flesh and honied sweetness of the fruits 




53. Sweet Bough. (XVo) 

as eaten from the hand remain in whatever 
way the apple may be prepared for the table. 
The fruits are large and handsome, and the 
trees are all that could be desired, falling short 
only in hardiness. The apples are too tender 
for distant shipment, but they are ideal for 



home use or local market. Sweet Bough is 
an old variety of American origin, described 
first in 1817, and now well distributed through- 
out the United States. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in size and shape, round-conic or 
ovate, sometimes oblong-conic with broad and flat base, 
regular, sides often unequal ; stem short, thick, usually 
not exserted : cavity acuminate, deep, broad, sometimes 
furrowed, usually smooth ; calyx small, closed or partly 
open ; lobes often leafy, sometimes separated at the base, 
long, narrow, acute ; basin small, shallow, narrow, abrupt, 
smooth or wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, pale 
yellow, sometimes faintly blushed ; dots numerous, small, 
light-colored and submerged, sometimes russet ; calyx- 
tube long, wide at top, conical ; stamens median ; core 
large, abaxile ; cells closed or open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels round or cordate, emarginate, tufted ; seeds 
light brown, small, plump, acute ; flesh white, firm, fine, 
crisp, very tender, juicy, sweet, aromatic ; good to very 
good ; August and early September. 

SWEET WINESAP. Fig. 54. HendHck. 
Htndrick Sweet. Sweet Pearmain. Under one 
or another of its several names, Sweet Winesap 
is cultivated as widely as any other sweet apple, 




54. Sweet Winesap. (X%) 

excepting Tolman and Pound Sweet. The 
fruits are a handsome red, large, well-turned, 
symmetrical, and uniform; excellent for dessert 
or cuhnary uses; and sufficiently firm of flesh 
and tough of skin to stand marketing and 
storage. The trees are a little lacking in vigor 
and hardiness, but are usually healthy, long- 
lived, and productive, though they are some- 
what tardy in coming in bearing. It is not 
known where the variety originated, but it 
seems to have been described first in 1854. 
Though widely distributed. Sweet Winesap is 
most commonly grown in New York and 
Pennsylvania. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and 
shape, round-conic, wide and flattened at the base, 
round-ovate or oblate-conic, regular or elliptical, sym- 
metrical ; stem short, slender ; cavity acuminate, shallow, 
wide, sjTiimetrical or gently furrowed, sometimes partly 
russeted ; calyx open ; lobes long, acuminate ; basin 
large, often oblique, round, deep, wide, abrupt, some- 
times furrowed ; skin tough, smooth, pale yellow over- 
spread with bright red, plainly marked with long, narrow 
carmine stripes, covered with a thin hloom and often 
with thin, light gray scarf-skin producing a dull effect ; 
dots small, scattering, white or russet ; prevailing effect 
red or striped-red ; calyx-tube funnel-shape with broad, 
yellow limb and narrow cylinder ; stamens median ; core 
small, axile or sometimes abaxile ; cells symmetrical, 
closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels flat, 
round to broadly elliptical, emarginate; seeds small, 
plump, obtuse ; flesh white, firm, fine, crisp, tender, 
juicy, sweet ; good to very good ; November to March. 



62 



TERRY 



TOLMAN SWEET 



TERRY. Terry Winter. Terry is verj' gen- 
erally recommended for the cotton-belt of the 
South, usually with the advice that it be more 
largely planted. It is, however, an old sort 
that "seems to be losing in popularity. The 
qualities that particularly recommend it for 
the South are that the crop ripens late and 
keeps well. Terry is said to have originated 
in Georgia a good many years ago, but when 
or where does not appear; neither are there 
full descriptions of the variety. Catalogs de- 
scribe the fruits as of medium size, pale yellow 
overspread with rich red and russet; the qual- 
ity is said to be good; the season is from 
November until March. 

TETOFSKY. Tetofsky is the standard 
early apple in the northern limits of apple cul- 
ture. It has, too, some value in more southerly 
regions, the fruits being attractive in color and 
pleasantly acidulous in flavor. The apples are 
small, however, and fall short, when all charac- 
ters are considered, of several other summer 
apples in the great fruit regions. Tetofsky is a 
pioneer Russian variety, having been imported 
in 1835 by the Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society. 

Tree dwarfish, vigorous, very erect, dense, with stout 
branches, filled with small spurs. Fruit small, uniform 
in size and shape, oblate or round, sometimes conic, 
regular ; stem medium in length, slender ; cavity obtuse, 
medium to deep, broad, usually sj-mmetrical. gently 
furrowed ; calyx large, closed ; lobes long, broad ; basin 
shallow, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, 
smooth, waxy, greenish-yellow, more or less striped and 
splashed with bright red, overspread with faint bloom ; 
dots inconspicuous, pale, submerged ; calyx-tube long, 
wide, funnel-shape ; stamens median ; core large, axile 
or somewhat abaxile ; cells open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly round, concave ; seeds short, plump ; 
flesh white, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, sprightly, aro- 
matic, subacid ; fair to good ; late July to early Sep- 
tember. 

TITOVKA. Titus Apple. Titus Riga. 
Titovka is valuable in the upper Mississippi 
Valley, and has considerable merit in all re- 
gions where hardiness must be taken into ac- 
count. The apples, which are large and hand- 
some, are suitable for culmary use, but scarcely 
so for dessert. The trees, besides being hardy, 
are vigorous, healthy, and productive. The 
variety was imported from Russia in 1870 by 
the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Tree dwarfish but vigorous, upright, dense, with stout, 
twiggy branches. Fruit large, round or oblong, some- 
times conic, regular, symmetrical ; stem short, usually 
not exserted ; cavity acuminate, verj- deep, sometimes 
russeted ; calyx of medium size, closed ; segments small, 
convergent ; basin shallow, very abrupt, wrinkled ; skin 
smooth, yellow, shaded and striped with bright red and 
overspread witli light bloom ; calyx-tube elongated-cone- 
shape ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells sym- 
metrical, open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly 
round or obovate, emarginate ; seeds few, small, plump ; 
flesh white, coarse, crisp, juicy, subacid ; good to very 
good ; August and September. 

TITUS PIPPIN. Hang-on. Timothy. Well 
Apple. Every character of Titus Pippin be- 
speaks its relationship to Yellow Bellflower, 
by which it is surpassed in both tree and fruit. 
The fruits are large, smooth, attractive, pleas- 
antly flavored, and adapted to either dessert 
or culinary uses. The trees are vigorous, 



hardy, healthy, productive, long-lived, bear 
young, and hold their load well. Despite these 
good qualities, the variety, after a long period 
of probation, is not superseding the better- 
known Yellow Bellflower. Titus Pippin origi- 
nated near Hempstead, Long Island, and was 
first described in 1841. It is still a general 
favorite on Long Island, but is little known 
elsewhere. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit 
large, oblong-conic or round-conic, often irregularly 
elliptical or obtusely ribbed, sides unequal, axis oblique; 
stem medium in length and thickness ; cavity small, 
acuminate, deep, narrow to broad, furrowed, often rus- 
seted and with narrow, outspreading russet rays ; calyx 
large, open ; lobes leafy, long, acute ; basin small, often 
oblique, shallow to deep, narrow, abrupt, often promi- 
nently ribbed, sometimes with mammiform protuberances ; 
skin tender, smooth, waxy, yellow, clouded with green, 
sometimes with an orange blush, rarely with distinct 
red lines or dots ; dots numerous, small, russet or sub- 
merged ; prevailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube large, wide, 
deep, cone-shape with fleshy pistil point projecting into 
the base ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; cells 
sj-mmetrical, wide open, sometimes partly closed ; core- 
lines clasping or meeting ; carpels elongated -ovate, 
emarginate. tufted ; seeds irregular, often imperfectly 
developed, large, long, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
crisp, tender, juicy, subacid, with pleasant aroma ; good 
to very good ; October to February. 

TOLMAN SWEET. Fig. 55. Tallman 
Sweet. Tolman. Tolman Sweet is the leading 
sweet apple of this continent. It has attained 
and holds this high place by virtue of good 
characters of both fruit and tree. The fruit- 
characters which commend it are attractive 
appearance, fair size, and good quality. The 
fruits are everywhere liked for dessert, but are 
even more highly esteemed for all culinary 
purposes. The variety is easily distinguished by 




55. Tolman Sweet. (XV2) 

a suture line which runs from the cavity to 
the basin. The trees are preeminent among 
those of all apple-s — hardy, healthy, vigorous, 
productive, long-lived, hold the crop well, 
and come into bearing early. The many 
good characters of the trees make Tolman a 
favorite as a stock upon which to top-work 
kinds less well endowed. The origin of this 
best of all sweet apples is unknown. It was 
brought to the attention of fruit-growers in 
1822. Tolman is grown in all the leading apple 
regions of America. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, drooping, open ; 
branches long, stout, curved and drooping. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in size and shape, globular or round- 
conical, often elliptical or obscurely ribbed ; stem 
medium to long, slender ; cavity obtuse, broad, deep, 



TOMPKINS KING 



TWENTY OUNCE 



63 



often nisseted, obscurely furrowed ; calyx small, open or 
closed ; lobes long and acuminate ; basin small, .often 
oblique, shallow, abrupt, furrowed, wrinkled, sometimes 
compressed ; skin tough, marked by a suture line ex- 
tending from the cavity to the basin ; color pale j'ellow, 
sometimes blushed ; dots inconspicuous ; capillary russet 
lines over the surface, becoming heavier and concentric 
at the basin ; calyx-tube urn-shape ; stamens basal ; core 
email, axile; cells symmetrical, closed; core-lines clasp- 
ing ; carpels flat, broadly round, emarginate, tufted ; 
seeds wide, plump, acute, tufted ; flesh white, firm, fine, 
dry, sweet ; good to verj- good ; October to March. 

TOMPKINS KING. Fig.56. King. Win^ 
ter King. Tompkins King, commonly short- 
ened to King, has few superiors on the score 
either of beauty or quality of fruit ; accordingly, 




56. Tompkins King. {XV2) 

it is one of the most widely planted apples in 
home orchards, and in either home or foreign 
market sells for a higher average than most 
other standard apples. The fruits are a beauti- 
ful red on a yellow background, handsomely 
moulded, uniformly large and symmetrical; 
while the flesh is rather coarse, it is crisp, 
tender, juicy, aromatic, and richly flavored. 
In common storage. King keeps until January, 
and in cold storage two or three months later. 
While the fruit is paramount, the trees are far 
from being so; the.v lack in hardiness, healthi- 
ness, longevity, and productiveness, so that 
few varieties are harder to handle. King 
thrives only in fertile, well-drained soils, and, 
since at best there are many windfalls, it must 
be sheltered from strong w^inds. Codlin-moth 
takes heavy toll, but there is comparatively 
little injury from apple-scab, though the trees 
suffer much from apple-canker, sun-scald, and 
collar-rot. Many recommend working King on 
a more vigorous stock. The variety originated 
in Warren County, New Jerse.v, whence, about 
1804, it was brought to Tompkins County. New 
York, and given its present name. It is widely 
distributed throughout the North and East, but 
is most commonly grown in New York, where 
it ranks fourth in commercial importance. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open ; lateral branches slen- 
der and drooping. Fruit large to very large, uniform 
in shape and size, round or oblate, sometimes conic, 
regular or obscurely ribbed ; stem short to long, some- 
times thick and swollen ; cavity large, obtuse, deep, 
narrow, furrowed or wavy, occasionally lipped, often 
ruBseted, sometimes with fine outspreading russet ; calyx 
large, closed or open ; segments long, acuminate ; basin 



email, narrow, shallow, deep, abrupt, regular or ob- 
scurely ridged and wrinkled ; skin smooth or roughened 
with russet dots, yellow, mottled and washed with orange- 
red, often shading to deep red, striped and splashed 
witii bright carmine ; dots numerous, conspicuous, white 
or russet ; prevailing effect red over yellow ; calyx-tube 
small, cone-shape ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; 
cells sjinmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines 
meeting ; carpels ovate or obovate, tufted, mucronate, 
slightly emarginate if at all ; seeds few, large, long, 
irregular, obtuse, often aburtive, tufted ; flesh yellow, 
coarse, crisp, tender, aromatic, juicy, subacid; very 
good to best ; October to April. 

TUFTS. Tufts Baldurin. Tujts Seedling. 
This apple is of the Baldwin type; the fruits 
are very similar in form, color, and size, but 
differ somewhat in flavor, being much milder. 
It is not so good a variety as Baldwin, but is 
occasionally preferred, especially in New 
England, where it is chiefly to be found. It 
origmated at Cambridge, Massachusetts, about 
1830. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, flat, open. Fruit 
large, uniform in size and shape, round or round-oblate, 
sometimes with a broad protuberance above the cavity 
on one side, often flattened at apex, broadly ribbed ; 
stem long, slender ; cavity acute, medium in depth, 
broad, often furrowed, usually with outspreading, irregu- 
lar, greenish -russet rays ; calyx small, usually closed ; 
basin shallow, wide, obtuse, wrinkled, ridged ; skin thin, 
tough, smooth, green or yellow nearly covered with 
bright, deep red, with indistinct stripes of purplish- 
carmine ; dots inconspicuous, gray or russet ; calyx-tube 
medium in length, conical ; stamens median ; core large, 
axile ; cells closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly round, often discolored, flat, emarginate ; 
seeds few, not well developed, dark brown, large, long, 
somewhat acute, tufted ; flesh yellow or greenish, firm, 
coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid ; fair to good ; 
October to December or Januarj'. 

TWENTY OUNCE. Fig. 57. Cayuga Red 
Streak. Twenty Ounce Pippin. Twenty Ounce 
is the standard fall apple for the market in 
New England and the North Atlantic states, 
its culture extending as far south as Maryland. 
It continues to hold its place against all com- 
petition by virtue of many excellences in 




57. Twenty Ounce. (XV2) 

fruit and tree. Thus, the apples are large, 
handsomelj" colored with stripes and splashes 
of red on a rich yellow background, and while 
the quality is not good enough for a dessert 
apple, the fruits are scarcely surpassed for 
culinary uses. Furthermore, the apples are 
uniform in size, color, and shape, and stand 
handling rather better than any other fall 



64 



TWENTY OUNCE PIPPIN 



VICTORIA SWEET 



variety. The trees bear early and abundantly, 
hold their crop well, but fall short in being 
susceptible to winter-injury and canker-fungi 
and in not attaining large size. Twenty Ounce 
was brought prominently to notice by Downing 
in 1845, but the origin of the variety remains 
a mystery. 

Tree vigorous, upright becoming round-topped, dense, 
with branches long and stout ; laterals willowy, slender, 
drooping. Fruit very large, round or round-conic, some- 
times broadly ribbed ; stem deep set, short, thick or 
slender ; cavity acuminate, very deep, sometimes lipped, 
sometimes russeted ; calyx usually closed ; basin often 
oblique, shallow but occasionally deep, narrow, abrupt, 
broadly and deeply furrowed ; skin thick, tough, green 
becoming yellow, washed, mottled and splashed with 
bright red or deepening to dark or purplish-red, with 
carmine stripes ; dots gray or russet, small, often raised, 
sometimes submerged ; calyx-tube large, long, wide, 
conical, extending to the core ; stamens usually basal ; 
core large, axile or abaxile ; cells symmetrical, usually 
closed, sometimes wide open ; core-lines clasping the 
cylinder ; carpels elongated-ovate, emarginate, tufted ; 
seeds narrow, obtuse, variable ; flesh yellow, coarse, 
tender, juicy, subacid ; good ; late September to early 
winter. 

TWENTY OUNCE PIPPIN. Cabashca. 
King. Oihcarl. Twenty Ounce Pippin subsists 
only because it has been much planted for 
Twenty Ounce, a very different and much 
better apple. The apple of this description is 
very large and rather attractive in appearance, 
but is coarse in flesh and poor in quality. The 
trees are satisfactory except in productiveness. 
The origin of the variety is not known, but it 
is an old sort long cultivated before Downing 
published the first account of it in 1845. It is 
grown chiefly in New York and neighboring 
states. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading or somewhat 
drooping. Fruit large or very large, heavy, oblate or 
globular with flattened base, often conic, elliptical or 
obscurely ribbed, sides frequently unetiual ; stem short, 
tiiick ; cavity acute, shallow, wide, furrowed, sometimes 
lipped, green, with elongated white dots, often russeted 
and with outspreading russet rays ; calyx large, closed 
or partly open ; lobes separated at the base, wide, flat 
or reflexed. pubescent ; basin large, shallow, obtuse, 
irregularly furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, 
smooth, pale yellow, washed, mottled and blushed with 
red, striped and splashed with carmine ; dots numerous, 
small, narrow, elongated, conspicuous, often submerged 
or depressed, white, sometimes with russet point ; calyx- 
tube short, funnel-shape with wide limb, or obtuse cone- 
shape ; stamens median ; core large, axile ; cells usually 
symmetrical and closed, sometimes open ; core-lines clasp- 
ing the funnel cylinder ; carpels broadly round or ovate, 
emarginate, tufted, brown ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, 
tender, crisp or breaking, juicy, sprightly subacid with 
a peculiar flavor; fair or good in quality; October to 
February. 

UTTER. Seevers Red Streak. Utters Red. 
Utter has value in Wisconsin, where it has 
been known since 1855, because of its hardi- 
ness. The description which follows contains 
but little to indicate that it is of general value 
in apple-culture. 

Tree upright, healthy, vigorous, productive, with a 
full-rounded head, very hardy. Fruit large, round-oblate 
or round, sometimes oblong, often broadly ribbed, regu- 
lar ; stem short, stout ; cavity acute, deep, wide, fur- 
rowed, sometimes russeted ; calyx small, closed ; lobes 
small, short, obtuse ; basin shallow, medium in width, 
abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, pale 
yellow usually washed with orange-red and narrowly 
streaked with bright carmine ; dots inconspicuous, nu- 
merous, white, occasionally with russet point ; calyx- 
tube elongated-funnel-form ; stamens median ; core sessile, 



of medium size, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, open or 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly round, but 
slightly emarginate if at all, smooth or tufted ; seeds 
numerous, large, narrow, obtuse, light reddish-brown ; 
flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, 
pleasant flavored ; good ; October to December or later. 

VANHOY. No-core. The apples of this 
variety, as grown in the North at least, have 
little to commend them except that the core is 
small and the seeds are small and few if any. 
The description which follows, made from 
northern grown trees, may not do the apple 
justice, for. in North Carolina, where it is said 
to have originated soon after the Civil War» 
Vanhoy is said to be a good dessert apple and 
in demand in the markets. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, flat, open. Fruit medium 
to large, oblate or round, sometimes conic, axis some- 
times oblique, sides often unequal ; stem medium to 
long, thick ; cavity acute, narrow, deep, often com- 
pressed or obscurely furrowed, sometimes lipped, some- 
times thinly russeted ; calyx large, closed or partly 
open ; lobes often leafy, long, acute ; basin small, obtuse, 
medium in width and depth, occasionally furrowed ; 
skin thick, leathery, smooth, yellowish-green overspread 
with dull red and marked with narrow, obscure splashes 
of carmine ; dots conspicuous, pale yellow or russet ; 
calyx-tube large, cone-shape ; stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile ; cells symmetrical, closed ; core-lines 
meeting or, when the tube is cone-shape, clasping ; 
carpels flat, round-ovate, emarginate, mucronate ; seeds 
few, wide, long, obtuse, sometimes tufted, often all are 
abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, breaking, 
juicy, mild subacid ; fair quality ; January to May. 

VICTORIA SWEET. Fig. 58. Victoria, 
Victoria is one of the good red sweet apples. 
The fruits are easily identified by their dark 
red color and large, conspicuous dots, which 
call to mind varieties in the Blue Pearmain 




58. Victoria Sweet. (XVa) 

group. In quality, while a little coarse, the 
apples are good to very good for either culi- 
nary uses or dessert. Victoria is now grown 
only in New York, in which state it came to 
notice about 1840. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, with short, stocky, crooked 
branches. Fruit of medium size, uniform in size and 
shape, round-conic, flattened at the base, faintly and 
broadly ribbed ; stem usually short, thick ; cavity deep, 
broad, symmetrical, often lipped, sometimes red and 
smooth, yellow-russet often overspreading the cavity and 
radiating irregularly over the base in broken lines and 
splashes ; calyx small, closed or partly open ; lobes 
usually short and not separated at base, acute ; basin 
medium in depth, narrow, abrupt, wrinkled ; skin tough, 
smooth, yellow, blushed and mottled with dull red and 
marked with numerous, narrow stripes of deeper red ; 
dots or flecks conspicuous, gray or russet, becoming 
smaller and more numerous toward the cavity ; calyx- 
tube short, conical ; stamens median ; cote medium ia 




Plate III. — Seckel Pear. 



VIRGINIA BEAUTY 



WASHINGTON STRAWBERRY 65 



size, abaxile ; cells closed or partly open ; core-lines 
clasping the cylinder ; carpels round-cordate, concave, 
tufted ; seeds numerous, dark, flat, acute ; flesh yellow, 
firm, coarse, very tender, juicy, sweet ; good to very 
good ; October to January. 

VIRGINIA BEAUTY. Virginia Beauty is 
offered by several nurserymen from Virginia 
and North Carolina, the variety being popular 
in southwest Virginia and the neighboring 
parts of North Carolina. The fruit-character 
of especial merit is that of long-keepmg, al- 
though the apples are attractive in appearance 
and of very good quality. Nurserymen de- 
scribe the trees as being large, vigorous, 
healthy, and very productive. The apples are 
described as large, conical, red, with yellow 
flesh which is rich and aromatic. The variety 
is said to have been grown for over fifty years 
and is still highly prized. The season is from 
late fall to April. 

WAGENER. Fig. 59. Wagener is most 
remarkable for precociousness in bearing, 
which makes it a general favorite for planting 
as a filler between permanent trees. Its merits 
and its faults are chiefly those of the tree. 
To name the merits first: besides coming in 




59. Wagener. (XVa) 

bearing early, the trees bear annually and 
heavily and are hardy. The several faults are 
that the trees overload, are short-lived, subject 
to blight, and, vigorous at first, become very 
weak in growth with advancing age. The 
apples are attractive in appearance because of 
their bright red color. The quality is much 
above the average either for dessert or cookery 
— some rank it excellent. Wagener came from 
seed planted in 1791, near Penn Yan, New 
York. It has been widely planted in all north- 
ern apple regions. 

Tree dwarf, at first vigorous but soon dwarfing, round 
to spreading, open ; branches short, stout and filled with 
spurs. Fruit medium to large, oblate or round-oblate, 
broadly ribbed or irregularly elliptical, sides often un- 
equal ; stem short to long, slender ; cavity variable, 
acute, deep, broad or sometimes compressed and narrow, 
often angular or furrowed, thinly russeted ; calyx small, 
closed or partly open ; lobes small, short, acute, con- 
nivent, reflexed ; basin medium in width and depth, 
abrupt, furrowed ; skin thin, tough, smooth, glossy, 
bright red striped with carmine and mottled and 
streaked with thin scarf-skin over a clear, pale yellow 
background ; dots numerous, white or russet, sometimes 
mingled with liglit russet flecks ; prevailing color bright 
red : calj-x-tube long, narrow, funnel-form, often elongalied 
and extending to the core ; stamens median ; core large, 
abaxile with hollow cylinder in the axis, or nearly 
azile ; cells symmetrical, closed or open ; core-lines 



clasping the cylinder ; carpels broadly round or ellipti- 
cal, but slightly emarginate if at all, smooth, mucronate ; 
seeds numerous, small, short, wide, obtuse, light brown, 
often abortive ; Hesh firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, 
very juicy, subacid, aromatic, sprightly ; very good to 
best ; October to February. 

WALBRIDGE. Edgar. Red Streak. Ken- 
tucky lied Slrcak. Several good characters 
have enabled Walbridge to gain a foothold in 
the states of the North Mississippi Valley. 
Its merits are chiefly in the trees, which are 
hardy, healthy, vigorous, come into bearing 
young, and yield full crops biennially. Some 
of the popularity of Walbridge is due to its 
very satisfactory growth in the nursery, because 
of which it is a favorite with nurserymen. The 
apples, while not remarkable in appearance, are 
attractive when well grown, but often much of 
the crop is undersized and malformed. It is 
a culinary fruit which keeps in ordinary storage 
until February. The variety originated with 
Joseph Curtis, Paris, Illinois, in 1818. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, open. 
Fruit nu'dium in size, round-conic, flattened at tlie base, 
or round to oblate-conic, often one-sided ; stem short ; 
cavity acute, deep, narrow, symmetrical, furrowed gently, 
sometimes partly covered with fine russet ; calyx small, 
usually closed, pubescent ; basin small, shallow or scarcely 
depressed, often oblique, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow washed with red, con- 
spicuously mottled and striped with carmine and over- 
spread with thin bloom ; dots numerous, often sub- 
merged, conspicuous, white or a few russet ; prevailing 
effect striped-red ; calyx-tube long, narrow, cone-shape 
with fleshy pistil point projecting into base ; stamens 
median ; core small, abaxile, with a wide, hollow cylinder 
in the axis, sometimes axile ; cells symmetrical, closed 
or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly 
round, emarginate, mucronate ; seeds few, tinged with 
yellow, firm, fine to coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly, 
mild subacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; November to 
February. 

WASHINGTON ROYAL. Palmer Green- 
ing. Under the name here given and also that 
of Palmer Greening, this variety is held in 
high regard in parts of New England. It 
seems to have few outstanding characters of 
either tree or fruit to recommend it. The 
apples are of very good fiavor, which, however, 
is too mild for most tastes. Numerous and 
conspicuous areolar dots with russet centers 
on a waxy, yellow skin, sometimes blushed, 
are characteristics of the fruit. The variety 
originated in Sterling, Massachusetts, and was 
brought to notice in 1855. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading. Fruit medium to 
large, oblate, often ribbed, irregular ; stem short ; cavity 
medium to large, acuminate, narrow, often furrowed, 
usually smooth and green ; calyx small, partly open, 
sometimes closed ; lobes erect ; basin shallow, narrow, 
abrupt, often furrowed, wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, 
waxy, greenish -yellow, usually with thin dull orange 
blush which sometimes deepens to red ; dots numerous, 
white or areolar with russet center, characteristic and 
conspicuous ; prevailing effect greenish-yellow ; calyx- 
tube conical; stamens median; core large, abaxile; cells 
closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping the funnel 
cylinder ; carpels concave, broadly round, emarginate ; 
seeds dark, wide, plump, obtuse ; flesh white, firm, fine, 
crisp, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid, aromatic ; good 
to very good ; November to April. 

WASHINGTON STRAWBERRY. Ju- 
niata. At its best, Washington Strawberry is 
a fine dessert and culinary apple. Unfortu- 
nately, the fruits are extremely variable in 



WEALTHY 



WHITE PEARMAIN 



size, color, and quality as grown in different 
localities — a fatal fault for a market apple and 
a serious one for a home variety. The tree is 
vigorous, hardy, healthy, bears early, lives 
long, is productive, and altogether very satis- 
factory. The variety originated on the farm 
of Job Whipple. Union Springs, New York, 
and its fruit was first exliibited in 1849. Its 
culture is confined to eastern New York and 
nearby regions. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading, open. 
Fruit medium to large, globular, conic, base rounding 
or sometimes flattened, regular, sides often unequal ; 
stem short, sometimes long, thick ; cavity acute, shallow, 
narrow, occasionally lipped, often furrowed, thinly rus- 
seted ; calyx large, open ; lobes separated and broad 
at the base, narrow above, long, acute ; basin small, 
narrow, abrupt, furrowed, wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, waxy, yellow, washed and mottled with red, 
conspicuously splashed and striped with carmine and 
overspread with thin bloom ; dots numerous, russet or 
white, conspicuous, often submerged ; prevailing effect 
striped red ; calyx-tube large, wide, cone-shape ; stamens 
basal ; core axile, sometimes abaxile ; cells not uniformly 
developed, usually symmetrical, open, sometimes closed ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels ovate or broadly obcordate, 
sometimes emarginate. often tufted ; seeds dark, long, 
acute, often many are abortive ; flesh yellow, firm, fine, 
crisp, tender, juicy, pleasant subacid, sprightly ; good to 
very good ; from September to early winter. 

WEALTHY. Fig. 60. Wealthy is a stand- 
ard American apple, indispensable in cold re- 
gions and valuable wherever apples are grown 
on this continent. Its good qualities are; the 
fruits are handsome in appearance, color, size, 




60. Wealthy. (X%) 

and shape, in all of which they are uniform; 
the quality, while not of the best, is good, the 
flesh being especially crisp, jUicy, and refresh- 
ing; the fruits stand handling and storage; 
the trees bear early and abundantly and at 
first are thrifty and healthy. Faults are: the 
trees fail in vigor as they reach maturity and 
are never of large size; the apples run small 
and uneven on old trees, and there is some 
loss from dropping. Wealthy is an ideal apple 
for planting as a filler among permanent trees. 
The variety is especially well adapted to sandy 
and gravelly soils. Wealthy originated from 
seed of the Cherry Crab planted by Peter M. 
Gideon, Excelsior, Minnesota, about 1860. 

Tree dwarfish, vigorous, upright-spreading, open and 
drooping, with short, stout, cun-ed branches. Fruit 
medium to large, uniform in shape, round-conic, slightly 
flattened at base, regular, symmetrical ; stem short, long 
on small fruit, slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, narrow, 
Tusseted ; calyx closed or partly open ; lobes broad. 



obtuse ; basin narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical ; 
skin thin, pale yellow, blushed and marked with narrow 
stripes and splashes of red, deepening to brilliant red ; 
dots numerous, inconspicuous, pale or russet ; prevailing 
effect bright red ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens median ; 
core small, axile or sometimes abaxile ; cells sjTnmetrical, 
open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels small, round, nar- 
rowing toward base and apex, smooth, flat ; seeds dark 
brown, acute ; tiesh white, sometimes stained with red, 
fine, crisp, tender, very juicy, agreeable subacid, 
sprightly, aromatic ; good to very good ; October to 
January. 

WESTFIELD Connecticut Seek-no-fur- 
ther. Russet Seek-no-jurther. Westfield Seek- 
no-jurther. Westfield or Seek-no-further is 
an old favorite distinguished by its dessert 
fruits of a full rich flavor and a pleasing aroma. 
The apples are not remarkable for size, color, 
or form, though not unattractive, especially in 
the creamy yellow color striped with red and 
spotted with russet. The trees are exception- 
ally hardy, vigorous, and long-lived, but are 
productive only on certain soils, the choice 
being warm, well-drained, fertile, sandy or 
gravelly loams. The variety is said to have 
originated at Westfield, Massachusetts, and was 
under cultivation as early, at least, as the 
Revolutionary War. The variety is well 
known in New England, New York, Ohio, and 
Michigan. 

Tree medium to large, slender, vigorous, spreading or 
roundish. Fruit medium, sometimes large, uniform, 
round-conical, less often oblong-conical, obscurely ribbed, 
symmetrical ; stem long, slender ; cavity acuminate, deep, 
narrow, symmetrical, russeted with green- or yellow-rus- 
set ; calyx small, partly open ; lobes short, reflexed, 
obtuse ; basin small, shallow, narrow, obtuse ; skin 
tough, smooth, deep yellow, splashed with dull red, in 
highly-colored specimens overspread with bright red, 
striped with carmine ; bloom thin ; dots characteristically 
large, pale yellow, gray or russet, often areolar with 
russet center ; calyx-tube wide, cone-shape ; stamena 
basal ; core medium, axile ; ceils symmetrical, open ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels elliptical or round and some- 
what truncate at the base, narrowing toward the apex, 
mucronate ; seeds numerous, small, plump, acute ; flesh 
pale yellow, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, breaking, juicy, 
mild subacid, rich, peculiarly aromatic, sprightly ; very 
good to best ; October to March. 

WHITE ASTRACHAN. This is a Rus- 
sian apple similar in tree-characters to the 
well-known Red Astrachan, but quite differ- 
ent in fruit. It is offered by several nursery- 
men in the Pacific states, but seems not to be 
grown east of the Rocky Mountains. The 
variety is a favorite in the Yolo district of 
California and in the valley and foot-hill re- 
gions in central coast counties. White Astra- 
chan is an old European sort, known under 
many names in Europe, which has been more 
or less grown in the United States for nearly 
one hundred years. The only descriptions to 
be found are brief ones in the old fruit-books 
from which the following is compiled; 

Tree very hardy, rather compact, vigorous, fairly pro- 
ductive : somewhat subject to bliglit. Fruit medium to 
large, round or round-oblate, waxen-yellow or whitish, 
with faint streaks of red and sometimes with a pink 
blush ; flesh white, acid, highly prized for culinary 
purposes ; August and September. 

WHITE PEARMAIN. White Winter 
Pearmain. White Pearraain, possibly better 
known as White Winter Pearmain, was one of 
the highly prized possessions of the pioneers 



WHITE PIPPIN 



WINDSOR 



67 



of Ohio and Indiana, having been brought to 
these states as grafts in the days of saddle-bag 
transportation. It is thought to be an old 
sort renamed, but what it is no one knows. 
The apples are very good to best in quality, a 
little too mild for culinary uses, not particu- 
larly attractive in appearance, neither shape 
nor color appealing to the eye. Its cultivation 
is largely confined to the states mentioned, 
though It has been somewhat planted in the 
Far West. 

Tree vigorous, spreading. Fruit medium to large, 
uniform in size, round-oblate, round or oblong-conic, 
ribbed, symmetrical ; stem medium to long ; cavity 
small, acute, deep, narrow, furrowed, sometimes rus- 
seted ; calyx large, usually closed ; lobes long, acute ; 
basin small, oblique, shallow, obtuse, often distinctly 
furrowed, wrinlded, pubescent ; skin tough, smooth, 
waxen, pale yellow, with a shade of brownish-red ; dots 
numerous, pale or russet, often submerged, usually large 
and much elongated about tlie cavity ; calyx-tube long, 
conical ; core medium to large ; cells closed or partly 
open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels flat, broad or round- 
cordate, emarginate, mucronate, tufted ; seeds light 
brown, large, wide, plump, obtuse, tufted ; flesh yellow, 
firm, fine-grained, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, 
sprightly, pleasantly aromatic ; good to best ; December 
to March. 

WHITE PIPPIN. Canada Pippin. Be- 
cause of similarity in color and in having an 
oblique axis, fruits of this variety are often 
confounded with those of Green Newtown 
Pippin, but here the similarities end ; for, in 
flesh and flavor, the last-named apple is much 
superior, while in tree-character White Pippin 
is usually the better. The fniits of White 
Pippin are larger, and the blush is not so well 
marked, nor do they keep so long. The apples 
are yellow with a sprightly, subacid, very good 
flavor, keeping until February in ordinary 
storage. The trees are thrifty, bear young, 
are hardy and healthy, and yield large crops 
almost annually. The variety is gradually 
passing out of cultivation, though it would 
seem to be too good to be wholly lost. Its 
origin is not known, but since the fruits were 
described from old trees in 1848, it must be 
more than a century old. It is most commonly 
grown in New York and New England. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit 
medium to large, uniform in size and shape, round or 
round-oblate, irregular or angular, sometimes s>'mmetri- 
cal ; stem short ; cavity large, acute, deep, narrow, often 
wavy, sometimes lipped, partly russeted and often with 
a strip of russet extending out on one side ; calyx small, 
closed or partly open ; lobes long, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin small, shallow, narrow, abrupt, usually furrowed 
and wrinkled ; skin pale yellow, sometimes blushed, 
mottled and striped with thin brownish-red ; dots small, 
characteristically white and submerged, or green with 
fine russet point, scattering, large, irregular and russeted 
toward the cavity ; prevailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube 
long, narrow, elongated conical ; stamens median ; core 
small, abaxile with hollow cylinder in the axis ; cells not 
uniformly developed but usually symmetrical, closed or 
open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels round to ovate or 
elongated and narrow, sometimes emarginate, tufted ; 
seeds small, plump, narrow, elongated, acuminate, brown 
to dark brown ; flesh yellow, firm, fine-grained, tender, 
crisp, juicy, sprightly subacid ; good or very good ; 
November to April. 

WILLIAMS. Lady's Apple. Queen. Wil- 
liams Early. Williams Red. Beautiful bright 
red color and rich, agreeable flavor characterize 
the fruits of Williams. As with so many of 



the tender-fleshed dessert apples, the fruits do 
not stand shipping well and cannot be kept 
long. Ordinarily, the apples are large, but 
with a heavy crop many of them may be 
small and uneven in size, and they ripen so 
unevenly that more than one picking is re- 
quired. The trees are only moderately vig- 
orous, but are healthful and fruitful. Wil- 
liams originated in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 
about 1750, and for a century and a half has 
been a favorite in New England and the Mid- 
dle Atlantic states. 

Tree small, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit medium 
or large, uniform in size and shape, oblong-conic or 
round-conic, broadly ribbed, sides often unequal ; stem 
medium to long, thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, broad, 
furrowed, sometimes russeted : calyx usually closed ; 
lobes long ; basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, furrowed ; 
skin thick, tender, smooth, pale yellow overlaid with 
bright, deep red, striped with dark red ; dots numerous, 
inconspicuous, gray or russet ; calyx-tube long, narrow, 
funnel-shape, sometimes extending to the core ; stamens 
marginal ; core large, axile ; cells closed ; core-lines 
clasping ; carpels ovate ; seeds narrow, long, plump, 
acute, dark brown ; flesh white sometimes tinged with 
red, firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, becoming dry 
when overripe, pleasant mild subacid, aromatic ; good ; 
August and September. 

WILLOW TWIG. Willow Leaf. Willow. 
Once seen, the tree of this variety can always 
be recognized by its slender drooping twigs. 
The tree is further characterized by strong, 
vigorous, healthy growth, early bearing, and 
productiveness. Despite the fact that the 
variety is of value only in the South, the tree 
is comparatively hardy. The crop requires 
a long and warm season for full development. 
The apples are large, symmetrical, shapely, 
with dull red as the prevailing color — not at 
all striking in appearance. Nor would the 
quality of the apples attract attention, the flesh 
being coarse and the flavor but fairly good. 
The character by virtue of which Willow Twig 
has gained eminence in the Central Mississippi 
Valley, where it is chiefly grown, is length of 
season, as few apples keep longer. The origin 
of the variety is not known, but probably it is 
an old sort brought to new life in Ohio about 
1848. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading with terminals 
drooping. Fruit large, round-conic, sometimes round- 
oblate, regular or faintly ribbed, symmetrical ; stem 
short ; cavity acute, deep, wide, often irregular or com- 
pressed, sometimes lipped, smooth, green or red, with 
pale dots sometimes thinly russeted ; calyx small, 
closed ; basin wide, irregular or compressed, deep, often 
abrupt, sometimes ridged, wrinkled ; skin smooth, pale 
yellow or dull green, mottled and blushed with red and 
irregularly striped and splashed with deeper red ; dots 
numerous, large, russet-gray or yellow ; prevailing color 
dull red ; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-shape ; stamens 
marginal ; core axile ; cells not uniformly developed, 
symmetrical, closed or partly open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels thin, flat, broadly round, narrowing toward the 
base ; seeds large, flat, wide, plump, blunt ; flesh yellow, 
firm, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly, aromatic ; 
fair to good ; January to May. 

WINDSOR. Fig. 61. Windsor Chiej. 
Windsor has recently come to the notice of 
northern apple-growers because it is endowed 
with a constitution which enables it to stand 
rigorous climates. The trees come into bearing 
early, bear regularly and heavily, and hold 
their crop well. The apples are somewhat 



68 



WINESAP 



WINTER BANANA 



conspicuous by reason of the large areolar dots 

centered with russet, which, mingled with 
flecks of russet, plentifully besprinkle the 
rather dull red skin. The flesh is somewhat 




61. Windsor. {XV2) 

coarse, but it: juicy, aromatic, and rather well 
flavored, though possibly a little too neutral 
to be called very good. The variety was first 
described in 1889. 

Fruit above medium, round-conic varying to oblate, 
broad, flat at the base, often one-sided and faintly ribbed ; 
stem medium to long, slender ; cavity large, obtuse to 
acute, wide, deep or sometimes shallow, russeted and 
with coarse, outspreading russet rays ; calyx small, closed 
or partly open ; lobes small, connivent, acute, pubescent ; 
basin abrupt, shallow to deep, wide, furrowed, wrinkled ; 
skin thick, smooth, waxy, pale yellow or greenish, 
blushed with thin, dull red or in highly- colored speci- 
mens predominantly deep red, obscurely striped with 
dull carmine ; dots characteristically large, dull, pale, 
often areolar with russet center, sometimes mingled with 
flecks of russet ; calyx-tube funnel-form ; stamens median 
or below ; core small, axile ; cells closed ; core-lines 
clasping the funnel cylinder ; carpels broad, narrowing 
toward base and apex, tufted ; seeds variable, narrow to 
wide, obtuse or approaching acute, tufted, light brown ; 
flesh white, tinged with green or yellow, firm, fine- 
grained, juicy, aromatic, mild subacid becoming nearly 
£weet ; good to very good ; October to March. 

WINESAP. Fig. 62. Holland's Red Win- 
ter. Royal Red. Texan Red. Wine Sop. 
Winesap is one of the most widely distributed 
and best known American apples. Though it 
has its local attachments, it may be found 




62. Winesap. (XVa) 



thriving on both the Atlantic and Pacific sea- 
boards and in most of the apple regions that 
lie between. No doubt its adaptability to 
various soils and climates is the chief asset of 
the variety, but it has excellent qualities of 
fruit and tree besides. The prevailing color 
of the apple is bright deep red, striped and 



blotched with dark purple, the ground color 
being golden yellow, which, with the smooth 
glossy texture and soft bloom, make this a 
very handsome fruit. The rotund shape, 
usually somewhat truncate, and always uni- 
form and regular, adds to the attractiveness of 
the apples. The coarse yellow flesh, with 
veins tinged with red, is distinctive, as is, also, 
the sprightly, subacid flavor. The apples keep 
and ship well, though they often scald in cold 
storage. The trees are vigorous, come in 
bearing early, and on light, rich, deep, well- 
drained soils are remarkably productive and 
regular bearers; the.y are precariously hardy 
and will grow only where the season is long. 
As a commercial fruit. Winesap finds its best 
environment in parts of Virginia and in the 
northern states of the Pacific Coast. The 
origin of the variety is unknown, but it dates 
well back into the Colonial period. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, round-spreading, strag- 
gling and open. Leaves small, narrow. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in size and shape, usually conical, 
sometimes round, truncate at base, regular or obscurely 
ribbed, symmetrical; stem short, slender; cavity small, 
acute, narrow, deep, symmetrical or furrowed, often lipped, 
often russeted or with outspreading russet rays ; calyx 
large, closed ; lobes long, narrow, acuminate ; basin 
small, often oblique, shallow, narrow, distinctly fur- 
rowed, wrinkled ; skin tough, smooth, glossy, bright red 
indistinctly striped and blotched with dark red over a 
yellow ground-color, overspread with faint bloom ; dots 
small, scattering, white ; prevailing effect deep red ; 
calyx-tube variable, conical ; stamens marginal ; core 
small, abaxile with a hollow cylinder in the axis, nar- 
rowing toward the apex ; cells uniformly developed, sym- 
metrical, open or nearly closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly round, concave, slightly emarginate if 
at all, mucronate ; seeds wide, plump, obtuse ; flesh 
yellow, veins sometimes red, firm, coarse, crisp, juicy, 
sprightly subacid ; good to very good ; October to March. 

WINTER BANANA. Banam. Possibly 
no apple of recent introduction deserves a 
more conspicuous place in the plantings of the 
amateur than Winter Banana. The fruits are 
large, shapely, not so uniform in size and 
shape as might be desired, with a most hand- 
somely colored skin — clear pale waxen j-ellow 
with a delicate blush which sometimes deepens 
into a bright red. The flavor is that rich ad- 
mixture of sweet and sour which characterizes 
most of our best fruits, while the aroma has a 
suggestion of musk exclusively the property 
of this apple. The trees are hardy, fairly vig- 
orous, bear young, almost annually, and are 
usually fruitful. The season is that of Rhode 
Island Greening. The fruits are so easily 
bruised that they seldom reach the market in 
good condition, and the variety is thus con- 
demned for commercial plantings. Winter 
Banana is said to have originated in Cass 
County, Indiana, but the writer has recently 
seen fruit brought from Holland, name un- 
known, which leads him to believe this to be 
an Old World apple that has somehow found 
its way to the New World. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading and inclined 
to droop, open. Fruit large to very large, un-uniform 
in size and shape, round-conic, oblong-conic, or some- 
times oblate, flat at the base, often irregularly elliptical 
and ribbed, axis sometimes oi>lique, sides often unequal ; 
stem short to long ; cavity large, acute, shallow, broad, 
gently furrowed, sometimes lipped, smooth or partly 



WINTERSTEIN 



YELLOW BELLFLOWER 



69 



nisseted ; calyx small, partly open or sometimes closed ; 
lobes convergent or connivent, short, obtuse ; basin small, 
often oblique, shallow, narrow or sometimes wide, obtuse, 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin smooth, thick, tough, 
waxy, pale yellow, often with a blush which in well- 
colored specimens deepens to dark red ; often a suture 
line extends from the basin to the cavity ; dots numerous, 
white and submerged or with fine russet point ; pre- 
vailing effect yellow ; calyx-tube wide above, short, cone- 
shape ; stamens median ; core small, abaxile ; cells not 
uniformly developed, usually symmetrical and open, 
sometimes closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels elongated- 
ovate, narrow, emarginate, tufted ; seeds often abortive, 
small to large and more or less irregular, obtuse, dull, 
dark' brown, sometimes tufted ; flesh pale yellow, firm, 
coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, aromatic ; good 
to very good ; October to March. 

WINTERSTEIN. Winterstein is a seed- 
ling of Gravenstein, which it resembles in 
fruit and tree, but the fruit keeps much long- 
er — as long as that of Baldwin. The variety is 
favorably spoken of in the Pacific states, but 
seems to be little grown east of the Rocky 
MountainB. Winterstein originated with 
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, California, about 
1898. 

Tree upright, vigorous, hardy, fairly productive, bear- 
ing every year in the West. Fruit medium to large, not 
uniform, oblate or round-oblate, slightly ribbed, sides 
unequal ; stem long, slender ; cavity obtuse, narrow, 
smooth, compressed ; calyx open, medium size ; basin 
medium, narrow, obtuse, furrowed ; skin greenish-yellow 
overlaid with dull red stripes and splashes of deeper red ; 
dots medium in size, scattered and russet ; core medium 
size, closed, axile ; core-lines meeting ; calyx-tube sliort, 
wide, conical ; flesh yellowish- white, firm, fine, crisp, 
tender, juicy, subacid, sprightly ; good for culinary 
purposes ; November to April. 

WINTER SWEET PARADISE. Win- 
ter Paradise. Honey Sweet, Paradise Wiiiter. 
Seldom found in orchards, this old variety is 
still offered by nurserymen. It is doubtful 
whether it has characters sufficiently gooil to 
make its cultivation worth while. It origi- 
nated with a Mr. Garber, Columbia, Pennsyl- 
vania, nearly a century ago. The tree is de- 
scribed as vigorous, upright, very productive, 
but not an early bearer. The fruit is large, 
round, oblate, dull green with a reddish-brown 
blush. The flesh is fine-grained, juicy, and 
sweet. The season is early winter and mid- 
winter. 

WISMER. Wismer's Dessert. This apple', 
of Canadian origin, seems to be little grow'n in 
Canada or the East, but is listed by several 
western nurserymen. According to all reports, 
it might well be tried out in eastern apple- 
growing regions, its merits being hardiness of 
tree, productiveness, and handsome appearance 
and good flavor of the fruit. In color of fruit, 
it is said to resemble Esopus Spitzenburg. 
The variety originated with J. H. Wismer, 
Port Elgin, Ontario, in 1897. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
productive. Fruit medium to large, oblong-conic, some- 
times oblique, strongly ribbed ; stem long, slender ; 
cavity acute, deep, slightly russeted, sometimes furrowed ; 
calyx small, closed ; basin rather deep, wide, abrupt, 
furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth, waxen, 
pale yellow overspread with stripes and splashes of 
carmine ; dots large, numerous, conspicuous, russet ; 
core very large, open, abaxile ; core-line clasping ; calyx- 
tube long, wide, conical ; seeds medium, wide, obtuse ; 
flesh yellow, firm, crisp, rather dry, mild subacid, aro- 
matic ; good ; No\ ember to April. 



WOLF RIVER. Fig. 63. Wolf River is 
of note chiefly for its very large apples. The 
fruits resemble those of the better-known and 
more desirable Alexander in color, shape, and 
quality; but average larger and are rounder 
and less conical. The tree is very hardy and 




63. Wolf River. (X^) 

thrifty, but is only moderately productive. In 
the West, manj' prefer tree and fruit to the 
Alexander — not so in the East. The variety 
originated on the farm of W. A. Springer, Wolf 
River, Wisconsin, and was first described in 
1875. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open, drooping. Fruit 
very large, uniform in size and shape, broad and flat 
at the base, conic or round, often irregular ; stem short, 
thick, not exserted ; cavity acuminate, deep, wide, 
heavily russeted ; calyx large, open or closed ; basin deep, 
narrow, abrupt, usually smooth, broadly furrowed ; skin 
thick, pale yellow, mottled and blushed with bright, deep 
red and marked with conspicuous splashes and broad 
stripes of bright carmine ; dots numerous, large, areolar, 
depressed, pale or russet ; calyx-tube conical ; stamens 
median ; core large, abaxile ; cells closed or partly open ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly cordate, emarginate, 
tufted ; seeds dark brown, wide, short, plump, obtuse ; 
tlesh white tinged with yellow, firm, coarse, tender, juicy, 
suliacid, aromatic ; fair to good ; September to De- 
cember. 

YATES. It is almost impo,ssible properly 
to place this variety. Some w-riters maintain 
that it is identical with the old Nickajack, 
which, in the South, has many synonyms. 
Southern catalogs which describe Yates agree 
only that the variety is a favorite in Georgia; 
that it probably formerly came from there ; 
and that the apples are of small size, dark red 
with white dots, firm, juicy, and aromatic. 
The trees are described as vigorous, healthy, 
and heavy bearers. From the fact that it is 
listed by nearly all southern nurserymen, it 
would seem that Yates is still popular in many 
parts of the South. 

YELLOW BELLFLOWER. Fig. 64. 
Bellflower. Lady Washington. Lincoln Pippin. 
Yellow Bellflower is distinguished by its unique 
fruits. The apples are oblong-conic with very 
prominent ridges at the apex, and with a 
smooth, delicate, pale, lemon-yellow, waxen 
skin usually beautifully blushed on the cheek 
to the sun. The fruits are not suitable for 
dessert, the flavor being a little too austere, 



70 



YELLOW NEWTOWN 



YORK IMPERIAL 



but are unsurpassed for culinary purposes. 
Unfortunately, the apples are variable in size 
and shape, and the tender skin is easily in- 
jured, so that the variety is not profitable in 
commercial orchards. Fruit and foliage are 



trees run small and uneven in size and shape ; 
the tender flesh shows bruises readily; and 
the fruits can never be kept long nor shipped 
far. The trees are small and lack health and 
productiveness, but come in bearing very early 





64. Yellow Bellflower. (XV2) 



65. Yellow Transparent. (.XV2) 



veiy susceptible to injury by the apple-scab 
fungus. The apples do not stand storage well, 
and deteriorate quickly when brought from low 
temperatures. The trees are vigorous, healthy, 
hardy, long-lived, and productive in warm, 
well-drained, fertile soils. The variety has 
strong local attachments, and, though widely 
distributed, is now being planted in but few 
localities. The most suitable regions for its 
culture are the coast valle}'s of California. In 
1817, Coxe reported that the origmal tree waa 
still standing near Crosswicks, New Jersey. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
laterals drooping. Fruit large or very large, round- 
oblong, oblong-conic, or ovate, irregularly elliptical, 
ribbed, often with prominent ridges at the apex, sides 
usually unequal ; stem long, slender ; cavity large, acute, 
deep, wide, furrowed, sometimes compressed, sometimes 
lipped, usually with outspreading broken rays of 
brownish-red in the sun which in highly-colored speci- 
mens deepens to a blush ; calyx below medium to above, 
closed or partly so ; lobes narrow, acuminate, pubescent ; 
basin small, oblique, abrupt, narrow, shallow to rather 
deep, distinctly ridged and wrinkled ; skin smooth, 
bright, pale lemon-yellow varying to whitish in the 
shade and often witli a shade of brownish-red in the 
sun which in highly-colored specimens deepens to a 
pinkish-red blush ; dots white or 'russet, numerous and 
small toward the basin, large, irregular and scattering 
toward the cavity ; prevailing effect bright yellow ; 
calyx-tube elongated funnel-shape, sometimes extending 
to the core ; stamens median ; core large, long, remark- 
ably abaxile ; cells unsymmetrical, wide open or partly 
closed ; core-lines clasping ; carpels long, narrow, round- 
obovate, concave, much tufted ; seeds large, long, obtuse ; 
flesh yellow, firm, crisp, fine-grained, tender, juicy, 
aromatic ; very good ; October to March. 

YELLOW NEWTOWN: See Green New- 
town. 

YELLOW TRANSPARENT. Fig. 65. 
Yellow Transparent is more readily character- 
ized by its faults than by its virtues. Earliness 
is the chief asset of the variety, though, if not 
over-ripe, the apples are very good culinary 
fruits, and at the proper stage of maturity are 
acceptable for dessert. The apples are above 
medium size, and have a clear, clean yellow 
color. The chief faults are: the fruits on old 



and are extremely hardy. The variety was 
imported from Russia in 1870, and is now 
grown north and south from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright becoming 
spreading, dense, with short, stout, crooked branches 
fillpd with short spurs. Fruit sometimes large, uniform 
in shape and size, round-oval, round-conic or oblate- 
conic, ribbed, sides unequal ; stem medium to long, 
thick ; cavity acute, medium to deep, narrow, sometimes 
lipped, sometimes russeted ; calyx closed ; lobes medium 
in length, broad ; basin shallow, narrow, abrupt, fur- 
rowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth, waxy, 
pale yellow changing to yellowish-white ; dots numerous, 
light colored, often submerged ; caljTc-tube conical ; 
stamens marginal ; core medium in size ; cells partly 
open to wide open ; core-lines clasping ; carpels broadly 
ovate ; seeds wide, flat, obtuse ; flesh white, firm, fine- 
grained, crisp, tender, juicy, sprightly subacid, with a 
pleasant but not high flavor ; good ; July and August. 

YORK IMPERIAL. Fig. 66. Johnson's 
Fine Winter. York Imperial is a popular 
southern apple, more generally cultivated in 
the Virginias and neighboring states, possibly, 




66. York Imperial. (.XVi) 

than any other variety. The apple is easily 
recognized by its bright red color, indistinctly 
striped with carmine, and by the shape of the 
fruit, both ends being distinctly truncate and 
the axis very oblique, so that the apples are 



YORK IMPERIAL YORK IMPERIAL 71 

lopsided — an objectionable defect when the Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense. Fruit uni- 

friiits fit nnlv fnr piilimrv niirnrups nrp tn hp ^°^"^ '" ^'^^ ""'' shape, medium to large, round-oblate, 

iruits nt only lor CUlmary purposes, are to Oe usually with an oblique axis ; stem short ; cavity large, 

pared with a machine. Ihe flesh is coarse and acuminate, deep, broad, often gently furrowed, smooth 

the flavor not inviting to most tastes. The and green or partly russeted; calyx small, closed or 

nnnip* k-ppn nnrl shin pxcppHindv well Thpsp Partly open; basin large, abrupt, deep, wide, often 

app es, Keep ana snip exceeaingiy wen inese furrowed; skin tough, bright, smooth, yellow blushed 

quahties give the variety its chief vakie, with light red and striped with carmine ; dots pale or 

though the trees are very satisfactory in soils russet, conspicuous, numerous toward the eye, scattering, 

and climates to which they are adapted. very large and elongated toward the cavity where they 

,-,T -1 1- II I 3re often mingled with narrow, broken streaks of gray 

\ork Imperial can be grown well only on scarf-skin; calyx-tube elongated-cone-shape ; stamens 

heavy fertile soils, such, usually, as have a median ; core small, axile ; cells usually sj-mmetrieal, 

substantial foundation of clay. In the North, 9}°^''^, °'^ Pf^'y o?™; core-lines clasping; carpels 

, , , J £ ■ i ■ ■ 1 J broadly round, emarginate, sometimes tufted ; seeds few, 

the apples are dehcient in size, color, and dark, wide, fiat, obtuse, compactly filling tlie cells; 

quality. The variety takes its name from flesh yellow, firm, crisp, coarse, tender, juicy, sprightly 

York, Pennsylvania, where it originated soon subacid, becoming mild subacid, aromatic; good; No- 
after the Revolutionary War. ™"''" '° ^^"'- 



CHAPTER IV 
VARIETIES OF CRAB-APPLES 



Books and magazines dealing with fruits list 
fifty or sixty crab-apples, but not more than 
fifteen or eighteen are mentioned in nursery 
catalogs. In the cold Northwest, the culture 
of hardy fruits is being encouraged, and the 
crab-apple, therefore, is receiving much atten- 
tion, new varieties being introduced almost 
annually. The number is certain to increase 
greatly in the near future. Unfortunately, 
these new varieties seem not to have been 
described, so that a few cannot be portrayed 
at all in this text, while others have but brief 
discussions compiled from the catalogs of 
nurserymen. Nearly all of the varieties ad- 
mitted to this list, however, are growing at 
Geneva, New York, and full descriptions have 
been made from these plants. 

BRIER. Briet^s Sweet Crab. Van Wyck. 
Brier is a cross between the Bailey apple and 
Siberian crab. The variety has no remarkable 
qualities, and is grown only in Wisconsin, in 
which state it originated, at Baraboo, soon 
after the Civil War. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, comes into bearing young and 
is productive. Fruit large, round-conic, ribbed ; stem 
long, slender ; cavity narrow, deep, russeted ; calyx small, 
closed or slightly open ; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, 
wrinkled ; skin pale yellow washed with lively red, 
Btriped with carmine, dotted and flecked with yellow 
and covered with thin bloom ; calyx-tube conical ; 
stamens median ; core medium in size ; cells closed ; 
flesh yellow, rich, fine-grained, juicy, pleasant, sweet, 
aromatic : good ; September and October. 

CHERRY. This crab is remarkable for the 
large size, productiveness, and regularity in 
bearing of the trees, which may be fiu-ther dis- 
tinguished by their long, .slender, curved 
branches. The fruits are small, red, and 
rather too coarse to be wholly acceptable. 
Cherry is an old variety of unknown origin. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open, with long, 
slender, curved branches. Fruit small, oblate-round, 
ribbed ; stem long to very long, slender, bracted ; cavity 
broad, shallow, obtuse, russeted ; calyx medium to large, 
usually closed, eventually deciduous ; basin wide, shallow, 
obtuse, wrinkled ; skin pale yellow covered with bright 
red, often striped with carmine and overspread with 
tbin bloom ; dots distinct, numerous, large, wdiite or 
russet ; calyx-tube funnel-form ; stamens marginal ; core 
large, axile ; cells closed ; carpels broadly round or 
elliptical, emarginate, mucronate ; flesh yellow, coarse, 
juicy, crisp, mild subacid, astringent ; fair ; August to 
October. 

CORAL. Coral takes its name from the 
brilliant color of the fruit — yellow, blushed 
with bright scarlet. The flavor is a little too 
mild, almost insipid. The fruit is noted for 
long keeping, its season being from October 



to February. It originated in the vicinity of 
Marengo, Illinois, and was first described in 
1869. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, comes in bearing young, 
annually productive. Fruit 1^ inches in diameter, 
round or oblong, regular ; stem medium to long, slender, 
bracted ; cavity acute, medium in width and depth, 
regular, usually russeted ; calyx small, closed ; lobea 
reflexed ; basin very shallow, broad, obtuse, or none 
skin smooth, yellow, blushed with scarlet ; dots nu- 
merous, small, gray or russet ; calyx-tube long, narrow, 
funnel-form ; stamens median ; core small, azile with 
narrow cylinder in the axis ; cells closed ; core-lines 
clasp the" funnel cylinder ; carpels round-ovate ; seeds 
compactly fill the cells, small, obtuse, plump, dark ; 
flesh yellow, breaking, juicy, crisp, sprightly, mild 
subacid to nearly sweet ; fair to good ; October to 
February. 

CURRANT. Currant is little more than a 
curiosity, its small fruits being borne in 
currant-like clusters. It is said to be one of 
the hardiest of the crabs, and, since the trees 
are vigorous, come in bearing young, and are 
remarkably productive, the variety might well 
be used in breeding. The flesh lacks the 
juiciness of a good crab, and the flavor does 
not commend it. Downing first described the 
variety in 1857. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading or round, open, with 
long, slender, curved branches. Fruit small, oblate, 
regular, uniform ; stem medium to long, slender ; cavity 
obtuse, deep, broad, symmetrical, frequently russeted ; 
calyx sometimes deciduous, closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; 
basin deep, wide, abrupt, obscurely furrowed ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, glossy, yellow, striped witli bril- 
liant red, overspread with bloom ; dots numerous, small, 
pale ; calyx-tube broadly cone-shape, short ; stamens 
marginal ; core medium to large, axile ; cells closed ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels round to elliptical, emargi- 
nate ; seeds light brown, medium to large, wide, obtuse ; 
f)esh yellow, firm, fine, tender, dry, subacid ; poor ; 
October and No\ember. 

DARTMOUTH. The fruits of Dartmouth 
are large and brilliantly colored, very prepos- 
sessing in appearance, and of fine flavor, but 
ripen too early for either market or home use. 
The trees are none too vigorous and bear only 
in alternate years. The variety originated in 
New Hampshire and was first described in 
1883. 



Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open, with long, 
stout, crooked branches. Fruit medium to large, oblate 
or round-oblate, ribbed ; stem long and slender, often 
bracted ; cavity acute, broad, deep, russeted ; calyx 
small ; lobes long, reflexed ; basin broad, shallow ; skin 
pale yellow, overlaid with bright red deepening to a 
dark red on the exposed side, dotted with yellow and 
covered with heavy bloom ; calyx-tube elongated -cone- 
shape ; stamens marginal ; core large, abaxile ; cells 
open ; core-lines clasping ; flesh yellow, tinged with red 
next the skin, fine-grained, juicy, mild subacid ; good ; 
August. 



72 



EXCELSIOR 



LARGE RED SIBERIAN 



73 



EXCELSIOR. Fig. 67. Excelsior is one 
of the few good dessert crabs, if, indeed, it 
should be called a crab, for its maternal parent 
was Wealthy and the other the Cherry crab. 
The fruits are large and handsome, especially 
in coloring — yellow shaded and splashed with 




67. Excelsior. (XVz) 

bright red, the latter giving the apples their 
prevailing color. Besides being a good dessert 
fruit, it is excellent for culinary purposes. The 
trees are exceptionally vigorous, hardy, 
healthy, and come in bearing young, but are 
productive only in alternate seasons. The 
crop ripens earlier than that of any other crab. 
The variety originated with Peter Gideon, 
Excelsior, Minnesota, and was first described 
in 1880. 

Tree large, spreading, dense, with long, stout branches. 
Fruit very large, round-ovate to round-oblate, sym- 
metrical ; stem long and slender, sometimes bracted ; 
cavity small, acute, narrow, shallow, often russeted ; 
calyx large, closed ; lobes reflexed ; basin shallow, broad, 
obtuse, furrowed ; skin smooth, yellow, shaded and 
splashed with red ; dots numerous, russet ; calyx-tube 
wide, cone-shape ; stamens median ; core large, abaxile ; 
cells unsymmetrical, wide open ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels elongated-ovate, sometimes tufted ; seeds long, 
narrow, acute, tufted ; flesh white, firm, coarse, crisp, 
juicy, subacid, with Siberian crab flavor ; good to very 
good ; early September. 

FLORENCE. Florence is remarkable for 
the beauty and high quality of its fruit and 
the fruitfuiness of its trees— desirable in every 
way for an early crab for either home or 
market plantations. Possibly, the fruits fail 
somewhat in being somewhat austere and 
astringent, but still they are rated by all as 
good in quality. This is another of Peter 
Gideon's crabs and was first described in 1886. 

Tree vigorous, upright, drooping. Fruit medium in 
size, uniform in size and shape, oblate, faintly ribbed ; 
stem very long, slender ; cavity acute, deep, symmetrical, 
russeted ; calyx variable, small, closed ; basin very 
shallow, wide, obtuse, furrowed ; skin thin, tough, 
smooth, yellowish- white overspread with brilliant red, 
sometimes with white bands radiating from the cavity, 
overspread with faint bloom ; dots minute, white ; calyx- 
tube long, wide, um-shape or funnel-form ; stamens 
marginal ; core large ; cells closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
carpels broadly obovate. emarginate ; seeds small, wide, 
flat, obtuse ; flesh yellow, coarse, crisp, tender, juicy, 
very brisk subacid, astringent ; good ; late August and 
early September. 

GENERAL GRANT. This crab has been 
under cultivation since about 1890, and, while 
nowhere generally grown, it is still offered by 
several nurserymen in the East. On the 



grounds of the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station, it is not nearly so desirable 
as several other crab-apples, having two rather 
serious faults: the fniits rot badly at the core, 
and the color is too dull to be attractive. The 
origin is not known. 

Tree vigorous, of rapid growth, rather small, compact, 
with a slender trunk and slender branches. Fruit small 
to medium, oblate, slightly ribbed, uniform in size and 
shape ; stem ver.v long ; cavity acute, deep, russeted ; 
calyx closed, pubescent, large ; basin shallow, obtuse, 
deeply furrowed ; skin thin, tender, smooth, greasy ; 
color greenish-yellow, almost entirely covered with a 
deep, dull scarlet, striped and splashed with red ; dots 
small to large, scattering, greenish-russet ; core abaxile, 
small, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube very long, 
conical ; seeds medium sized, flat on one side, obtuse ; 
flesh firm, coarse, tender, moderately juicy, subacid ; 
quality rather poor ; September. 

GIBB. Gibb is another cross between the 
common apple and the crab-apple, with char- 
acters that make it somewhat doubtful with 
which of its parents, Yellow Siberian and Fall 
Greening, it should be placed. The fruits 
are large, yellow, blushed with dull red, with 
remarkably yellow flesh, which is juicy, pleas- 
antly acidulous, and very good. The trees are 
slow growing but eventually attain large 
growth, and are very hardy and fruitful. Gibb 
originated with George P. Peffer, Pewaukee, 
Wisconsin. The variety was first described 
in 1884. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, slow in growth, very 
hardy and very productive. Fruit large, round-oblate ; 
stem short, thick ; cavity wide, deep, regular ; calyx of 
medium size, open ; basin very wide, shallow, wrinkled ; 
skin thin, yellow, blushed with dull red ; dots white, 
minute ; flesh remarkably yellow, firm, crisp, juicy, 
pleasant acid, astringent, sprightly ; fair to good ; early. 

HYSLOP. Hyslop has long been one of the 

standard American crab-apples, and is widely 
distributed and extensively cultivated. The 
apples are a brilliant, dark red with heavy 
blue bloom, and are thickly borne in large 
clusters. The flesh is yellow with a tinge of 
red next the skin, firm, fine-grained, juicy, but 
eventually becoming dry and mealy. The 
trees are vigorous, hardy, and fruitful. The 
origin of the variety is unknown; Warder first 
set forth its good qualities in 1869. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open. Fruit medium 
to large, uniform in size and shape, round-ovate or 
obovate, sometimes oblong, regular or obscurely ribbed, 
sjTnmetrical ; stem short to very long, slender ; cavity 
acuminate, small, shallow, narrow, sometimes furrowed, 
often russeted ; calyx closed ; lobes long, narrow, acumi- 
nate, reflexed ; Irasin shallow, wide, distinctly fur- 
rowed and wrinkled ; skin pale yellow overspread with 
dark red shading to deep carmine and covered with 
thick bloom ; dots small, numerous, pale ; calyx-tube 
short, narrow, cone-shape to urn-shape; stamens median; 
core medium size, axile ; cells symmetrical, closed ; core- 
lines meeting ; carpels elongated-ovate, emarginate ; 
seeds small, narrow, short, plump, obtuse, brown ; flesh 
yellow, sometimes witli tinge of red next the skin, very 
firm, fine, at first juicy but becoming dry and mealy, 
subacid, astringent ; very good ; late September and 
October. 

LARGE RED SIBERIAN. This old sort, 
an improvement on Red Siberian, is, in its 
turn, being superseded by varieties having 
larger and handsomer fruits. Large Red Si- 
berian differs from Red Siberian in being 



74 



MARTHA 



PICTA STRIATA 



larger in tree and fruit, with coarser foliage 
and longer and more slender twigs. Large 
Yellow Siberian and Yellow Siberian differ 
from these two varieties chiefly in having 
yellow fruit. All four varieties are from the 
Old World, but when and by whom introduced 
does not appear. 

Tree very hardy, healthy, moderately long-lived, pro- 
ductive biennially and sometimes annually. Fruit of 
medium size, uniform in size and shape, round to round- 
ovate, regular ; stem medium to long, slender ; cavity 
acuminate, shallow, broad, often furrowed, usually rus- 
seted ; calyx closed ; lobes long, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin shallow or none, obtuse, wrinkled, having mammi- 
form protuberances ; skin thin, tougli, smooth, pale 
yellow, overlaid with bright red and marked with ob- 
scure, narrow stripes of dark red ; dots small, light, 
inconspicuous ; calyx-tube short, wide, urn-shape ; 
stamens median ; core medium size, axile ; cells closed ; 
core-lines meeting ; carpels ovate, emarginate ; seeds 
glossy, dark brown, small, short, wide, obtuse ; flesh 
yellow', firm, subacid, astringent ; good ; September and 
October. 

MARTHA. Fig. 68, The large fruits, 
handsomely colored with bright red on a 
yellow background, perfectlj' turned in oblate 
spheres, and the uniformity in size and shape, 
make Martha one of 
the most prepossess- 
ing of all crabs. The 
yellowish flesh, 
though a little 
coarse, is so crisp, 
juicy, and well-fla- 
vored that one is 
tempted to say that 
this is the very best 
crab for culinary 
purposes. The trees, 
while of but medium 
size and vigor, are hardy, come into bearing 
young, bear annually, and are usually fruitful. 
Furthermore, the season, late fall, makes this 
one of the most desirable crabs for home or 
market. This is another of Peter Gideon's 
crab-apples first described in 1839. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open, droop- 
ing. Fruit large, uniform in size and shape, round or 
oblate, regular or faintly ribbed, usually sjTnmetrical, 
sides sometimes unequal ; stem long, slender ; cavity 
acute, broad, sometimes furrowed, often thinly russeted ; 
calyx small, closed or partly open, occasionally de- 
ciduous ; basin shallow, wide, obtuse, smooth ; skin 
thin, tough, smooth, pale yellow almost covered with 
bright, light red overspread with bloom ; sometimes faint 
narrow stripes extend from the cavity to calyx ; dots 
numerous light colored, small ; calyx-tube short, narrow, 
very small, conical ; stamens median to marginal ; core 
of medium size, axile ; cells closed ; carpels round or 
obovate, tufted ; seeds narrow, acute ; flesh yellow, firm, 
coarse, crisp, juicy, brisk subacid ; good to very good ; 
September to November. 

MINNESOTA. In the northern part of the 
Great Plains, where the hardy crab-apple is a 
favorite fruit, Minnesota finds favor; else- 
where it is hardly known. The variety is an 
old one, having originated in Minnesota some 
time previous to 1872. 

Tree rather small, compact, spreading, moderately 
vigorous, moderately productive, very large, round ; skin 
pale yellow, blushed or mottled on the sunny side and 
overspread with thin, white bloom ; flesh white, firm, 
crisp, juicy, fine-grained, mild subacid or nearly 
sweet, slightly astringent ; quality good ; September and 
October. 




68. Martha. (XVa) 



MONTREAL BEAUTY. This crab is 
listed by nurserymen in both Canada and the 
United States, but is now seldom found in 
orchards except in the vicinity of Montreal 
and in parts of Quebec. The variety origi- 
nated in Quebec some time previous to 1833. 

Tree hardy, strong, vigorous, large, upright, compact, 
bearing heavily but does not come in bearing early. 
Fruit large, oblong-conic, or round-oblong, truncate ; 
skin yellowish-white, tender, juicy, subacid with little 
astringency : good ; late September and October. 

ORANGE. This is an old eastern crab- 
apple, at one time a favorite, but now seldom 
grown east of the Mississippi. Nurserymen 
on the Great Plains list it and speak well of 
it. Its origin is not known, but it seems to 
have been first described by Downing in 1869. 

Tree round-topped, spreading, dwarfish, rather slow in 
growth, hardy, long-lived, productive, bearing annually. 
Fruit of medium size, round or slightly oblate; stem 
very long, slender ; cavity open, deep, acute, with a trace 
of russet ; calyx closed ; basin very shallow, wrinkled ; 
skin orange-yellow, often netted with russet ; dots white, 
obscure ; core open ; flesh light salmon-yellow, rather 
dry, mild subacid with a sweet after-taste ; quality good ; 
September to November. 

PAUL IMPERIAL. Paul Imperial is an 
English crab imported in 1888 by Ellwanger 
& Barry, Rochester, New York. The fruits 
are less attractive in appearance than those of 
several American crab-apples, falling short both 
in size and color, and are not so good in 
quality. The trees are only medium in size, 
but come in bearing young, and are very pro- 
ductive. This variety is said to be a cross 
between Red Astrachan and Siberian crab. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open, with short, stout, 
crooked branches having numerous small spurs. Fruit 
small, uniform in size but not in shape, usually oblate, 
often irregularly elliptical, strongly ribbed, sides un- 
equal ; stem long, slender ; cavity obtuse, deep, broad, 
furrowed, not russeted ; calyx large, closed, prominent, 
persistent ; lobes long, broad ; basin shallow, wide, 
obtuse, furrowed and wrinkled and sometimes mammil- 
late ; skin thin, tender, smooth, yellow, often covered 
with dark red, overspread with bloom ; dots numerous, 
indistinct, light ; calyx-tube small, short, wide, urn- 
shape : stamens marginal ; core large, axile ; cells closed 
or open ; core-lines meeting ; carpels round, narrowing 
toward apex, tufted ; seeds small, wide, acute, light 
brown ; flesh yellow sometimes stained with red, firm, 
coarse, crisp, tough, juicy, brisk subacid ; good ; Sep- 
tember and October. 

PICTA STRIATA. This crab, too small 
for a good commercial fruit, has a place in 
the crab-apple flora because of its late season. 
The apples are handsome but a little too mild 
in flavor to be generally acceptable. The 
variety was introduced by Ellwanger & Barry, 
Rochester, New York, about 1888. 

Tree large, upright-spreading with drooping laterals. 
Fruit of medium size, uniform in size but not in shape, 
oblate or round-oblate, irregularly ribbed ; stem long, 
slender ; cavity obtuse, deep, broad, compressed, smooth ; 
calyx usually" small, closed ; lobes separated at base, 
long, acute ; basin shallow, obtuse, smooth ; skin thin, 
tender, smooth, glossy, pale yellow covered with crim- 
son, blushed and striped with carmine ; dots indistinct, 
gray ; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical ; stamens mar- 
ginal ; core medium to large, axile ; cells open or closed ; 
core-lines clasping ; carpels round to elliptical, concave, 
deeply emarginate, sometimes tufted ; seeds dark brown, 
wide, short, obtuse ; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, tender, 
juicy, astringent, sprightly subacid ; good ; October to 
early winter. 



RED SIBERIAN 



YELLOW SIBERIAN 



75 



RED SIBERIAN. This variety is not to 
be confused with Large Red Siberian, the 
fruits and trees of which are larger and the 
foliage coarser. Tree and fruit are ornamental, 
but the fruits are too small to find favor for 
any purpose. The variety is rapidly passing 
from cultivation. Red Siberian originated in 
France, but when and where does not appear; 
nor is it known when it was brought to 
America, although it must have been one of 
the first to be imported, since it was described 
as early as 1803. 

Tree rather small, vigorous, erect, very hardy, pro- 
ductive, with rather long, slender twigs. Fruit small, 
borne in clusters, % inch in diameter, round-oblate to 
oblong, irregularly elliptical; stem long and slender; 
cavity acute, medium in width and depth ; caly.x small 
to medium, often deciduous ; basin but slightly de- 
pressed ; skin smooth, pale yellow striped and blushed 
with li\ ely red and overspread with blue bloom ; flesh 
subacid, astringent, good for culinary uses ; September 
and October. 

SEPTEMBER. This variety, also, comes 
from Peter Gideon, but is not as desirable as 
several other of his crab-apples, though the 
fruits are handsome and of good quality for 
either dessert or culinary uses. The trees, 
though vigorous, have short, stout, crooked, 
twisted branches — serious defects which make 
the variety much more difficult to manage 
than several of its orchard associates. The 
variety is said to be a seedling from the 
Cherry crab. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open, with short, stout, 
crooked and twisted branches. Fruit medium to large, 
uniform in size but not in shape, round-oblate to oblong, 
sometimes conic, frequently ribbed, sides usually un- 
€qual ; stem long, slender ; cavity obtuse, shallow, broad, 
occasionally furrowed, sometimes russeted ; calyx large, 
closed or partly open ; basin mammillate, shallow, deep, 
obtuse ; skin thin, tender, smooth, pale yellow, striped 
with red, in well-colored specimens nearly covered with 
dark red, overspread with bloom ; dots small, scattering, 
gray or brown ; calyx-tube short, broadly funnel-form, 
pistil point persistent ; stamens median ; core medium 
size, axile or abaxile ; cells closed or wide open ; core- 
lines clasping ; carpels round, elongated ; seeds variable 
in shape, of medium size, wide, short, acute, light dull 
brown ; flesh yellow, tender, juicy, subacid, with an 
agreeable crab-apple flavor ; good to very good ; Sep- 
tember. 

TRANSCEND- 
ENT. Fig. 69. For 
many j^ears Transcend- 
ent was the most pop- 
ular crab-apple in 
America, its beautiful 
color and high quality 
commending it. The 
trees, too, are vigorous, 
hardy, and very pro- 
ductive. It is, however, 
a little too early in sea- 
son for either home or 




69. Transcendent. 
(XVz) 



market, and, with the advent of later and even 
handsomer and better flavored varieties, its 
popularity began to wane. It seems first to 
have been mentioned in 1S44, but it was grown 
long before this. How long, or where it orig- 
inated, no one knows. 

Tree large, very spre.iding, drooping, dense, with stout, 
cun'ed and drooping branches. Fruit large, round or 
round-oblong, flattened at the ends, somewhat ribbed : 
stem medium to long, stout, bracted ; cavity narrow, 
shallow, obtuse ; calyx large, closed ; lobes long, leafy, 
reflexed ; basin shallow, wrinkled ; skin thin, yellow with 
bright red cheek, overspread with bloom, highly-colored 
specimens covered with bright red ; calyx-tube conical ; 
stamens marginal ; core medium size ; cells closed : 
flesh yellow, crisp, juicy, fine, somewhat astringent, 
subacid ; very good ; late August to the middle of 
September. 

VAN WYCK. Van Wyck Sweet. Although 
this sweet crab-apple originated in Duchess 
County, New York, it is now seldom found in 
eastern United States, but is advertised by 
several western nurserymen. Its only value is 
that it is one of a few sweet crab-apples. It 
seems to have been first described by Downing 
in 1872. 

Fruit large for a Siberian crab-apple, whitish shaded 
with bright red, covered with bloom : flesh white, tender, 
juicy, sweet, rich ; core small, closed ; quality good ; 
.\ugust and September. 

WHITNEY. Whitney No. 20. Whitney 
has in full measure all the good qualities of 
the best crab-apples in both fruit and tree 
excepting one — the season. It ripens in late 
August, too early to meet the demand of 
housewives who postpone caring for this fruit 
until cooler weather. For those who want a 
crab-apple for dessert early in the season, 
Whitney is about as good as any. The variety 
was grown from seed by A. E. Whitney, Frank- 
lin Grove, Illinois, and was first described in 
1869. It is more popular in the West than in 
the East. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, with stout, 
long, curved branches. Fruit large, uniform in size and 
shape, round-conic or ovate ; stem slender ; cavity nar- 
row, deep, obtuse ; calyx medium to large, closed or 
open ; basin broad, shallow, wrinkled ; skin light yellow 
shaded and striped with red ; flesh yellow, crisp, juicy, 
mild subacid ; good to very good ; late August and early 
September. 

YELLOW SIBERIAN. Golden Beauty. 
Yellow Siberian is almost identical with Red 
Siberian, e.xcept in color and size of fruit. The 
fruits are larger than those of Red Siberian and 
of clear golden-yellow color. The trees come 
into bearing young and are reliable croppers, 
yielding very heavy crops annually or almost 
annuallv. The trees are verj' hardy but some- 
times suffer from blight. The season is Sep- 
tember. 



CHAPTER V 
VARIETIES OF PEARS 



As compared with other hardy fruits, the pear 
reaches high perfection in few places in the 
United States, and nowhere succeeds quite so 
well as in parts of France, Belgium, and Eng- 
land. It is not surprising, then, to learn that, 
while the Europeans have listed about 5000 
varieties of pears, current American fruit pub- 
lications have never mentioned more than 
1000. In 1872, the Downings described 997 
varieties of pears, but many of the descriptions 
were from European fruit-books of varieties 
probably never grown on this side of the 
Atlantic, since the catalogs of that date offer 
only about 300 varieties. It is surprising, how- 
ever, to find that probably not more than 
100 varieties of pears are now discussed 
in current pomological literature, and that 
nurserymen's catalogs for 1920 list only 60 
odd varieties, and this in spite of the fact that 
the pear industry in the country is now many 
times greater than in 1872, when fruit-books 
contained 1000 names of pears. Feeling that 
only fruits under cultivation in America 
should be included in this manual, the author 
describes only the varieties now being sold 
bv nur-serymen and sorts likely to be found in 
old orchards. All of the descriptions, without 
exception, are made from trees growing at 
Geneva, New York. 

ANDRE DESPORTES. This old French 
sort is still listed by a few American nursery- 
men. The pears are handsome and veiy good 
in quality, but they quickly soften at the 
center and neither keep nor ship well. While 
usually of medium size, or sometimes large, 
the pears often run small. The variety is well 
worth planting in a collection, but has no 
value in a commercial plantation, and there 
are many better sorts for home orchards. The 
parent tree of this variety sprang from the 
seed-beds of M. Andre Leroy, the well-known 
authority on pomology, at Angers, France. 

Tree characteristically upright and vigorous, hard.v ; 
branches slender, smooth, marked with small lenticels. 
Leaves 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, ovate, stiff, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin glandular, slightly 
crenate ; petiole 1 V2 inches long. Flowers showy. 1 % 
inches across, occasionally tinged pink, in dense clusters, 
averaging 9 flowers to a cluster. Fruit ripe in August ; 
medium in size, 2% inches long, 2% inches wide, 
obovate-obtuse-pyriform, symmetrical, uniform ; stem 1 
inch long, thick, cun-ed ; cavity obtuse, shallow, dotted 
with russet, often lipped ; calyx small, open ; lobes 
separated at the base, short, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, narrow, obtuse, gently furrowed, symmetrical ; 
skin thin, tender, smooth ; color dull greenish-yellow, 
dotted and marbled with reddish-brown, blushed on the 
sunny side ; dots numerous, small, light colored, obscure ; 
flesh tinged with yellow, fine, tender and melting, 



buttery, juicy, sweet, aromatic ; quality very good ; 
core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; seeds small, wide, plump, acute. 

ANGOULEME: See Duchesse d'Angou- 
leme. 

ANJOU: See Beurre d'Anjou. 

ANSAULT. The fruits of Ansault rival 
those of Seckel in quality. In particular, the 
flesh is notable, being described by the term 
"butterj-" rather better than that of any other 
pear. The rich sweet flavor and distinct but 
delicate perfume contribute to making the 
fruits of highest quality. Unfortunately, the 
pears are small, and the green coat, nearly 
covered with russet dots and markings, is dull, 
though enlivened somewhat at full maturity 
by a rich yellow. The tree is vigorous, pro- 
ductive, bears annually, and is not more sub- 
ject to blight than that of the average variety. 
While not at all suitable for commercial or- 
chards, Ansault should find a place in every 
collection of pears for home use. This pear 
was raised from seed in the nurseries of M. 
Andre Leroy, Angers, France. The parent tree 
bore fruit first in 1863. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, hardy, very productive ; 
branches thick, dull brownish-red, with numerous, raised 
lenticels. Leaves numerous, 2% inches long, 1^ inches 
wide, ovate or broadly oval, leathery ; apex abruptly 
pointed ; margin finely serrate, with small, reddish, 
sharp-pointed glands; petiole 1^ inches long, slender, 
glabrous. Flowers 1 % inches across, in dense clusters, 
7 to 9 flowers in a cluster. Fruit ripens in late Sep- 
tember and early October; medium in size, 2% inches 
wide, uniform, obtuse-obovate-pyriform, slightly irregu- 
lar ; stem % inch long, short, thick ; cavity obtuse, 
russeted, furrowed, slightly ribbed ; calyx partly open, 
large ; lobes acute ; basin abrupt, furrowed and wrin- 
kled : .skin roughened with russet markings and dots ; 
color dull greenish-yellow changing to pale yellow, con- 
siderably russeted about the basin and cavity with 
russet dots, with scattered flecks and patches of russet ; 
dots numerous, small, russet ; flesh tinged with yellow, 
granular at the center, melting and tender, buttery, very 
juicy, sweet, aromatic ; quality good to very good : core 
closed, axile, the core-lines clasping ; calyx-tube long, 
funnel-shaped ; seeds short, plump, obtuse. 



BARTLETT. Fig. 70. Williams' Bon 
Chretien. Williams. Bartlett leads all other 
pears in number of trees in America. Its 
fruits are more common and more popular 
than those of any other pear. The pre- 
eminently meritorious character of Bartlett is 
its great adaptability to different climates, 
soils and situations. Thus, it is grown with 
profit in every pear-growing region in America 
and in all in greater quantities than any other 
sort. Another character which commends this 



76 



BARTLETT 



BELLE LUCRATIVE 



77 



variety is fruitfulness — barring frosts or freezes 
the trees bear full crops year after year. The 
trees are vigorous, attain large size, bear young, 
live long, and are easily managed in the 
orchard. The pears are large, handsome, of 
good but not of the best quality, and keep and 
ship remarkably well. Bartlett is not without 
serious faults, however; the trees are not 
above the average in resistance to blight; 
they are not as hardy as those of some other 
varieties; and more than those of any other 
standard variety the blossoms require cross- 
fertilization. The fruits are satisfactory in all 
characters excepting quality. They lack the 
rich, perfumed flavor of Seckel on one hand, 
or the piquant, vinous taste of Winter Nelis 




toward the apex, symmetrical, uniform ; stem 1 % inches 
long, often curved, thick ; cavity small, usually lipped, 
with thin, light russet overspreading streaks of russet, 
acute, shallow ; calyx partly open ; lobes separated at 
the base, narrow, acute ; basin very shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, smooth, 
often dull, the surface somewhat uneven ; color clear 
yellow when fully mature, with a faint blush on the 
exposed cheek, more or less dotted with russet and 
often thinly russeted around the basin ; dots many, small, 
conspicuous, greenish-russet ; flesh fine-grained, although 
slightly granular at the center, melting, buttery, very 
juicy, vinous, aromatic ; quality very good ; core large, 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, wide, 
funnel-shaped ; seeds medium in size and length, wide, 
plump, acute. 

BELLE LUCRATIVE. Fig. 7L Berga- 
mote Lucrative. Lucrative. Seigneur d'Es- 
peren. This pear has been a standard autumn 
sort for nearly a century, maintaining a place 
for high quality with the pears of its season 
second only to Seckel. Flesh and flavor are 



70. Bartlett. (XV2) 

on the other. But they are above the average 
in quality, and since no other variety is so 
easily grown, nor so reliable in the markets, 
Bartlett promises long to hold its supremacy 
for home and commercial plantations. It is 
the most desired of all pears by the canning 
trade. This pear was found as a wilding by a 
Mr. Stair, a schoolmaster at Aldermaston, 
Berkshire, England. It was first introduced to 
this country in 1797 or 1799 under tlie name of 
Williams' Bon Chretien, by which name it is 
known both in England and France. In 1817 
Enoch Bartlett, Dorchester, Massachusetts, al- 
lowed the pear to go out under his own name. 
Henceforth it became known in America ex- 
clusively as Bartlett. 

Tree medium in size, with age becoming tall and 
pyriform, upright ; branches stocky, smooth, reddish- 
brown with few lenticels. Leaves 2% inches long, 
1% inches wide, oval, leathery; apex taper-pointed; 
margin tipped with small dark red glands, finely serrate ; 
petiole 1^ inches long. Flowers showy, 1% inches 
across, in dense clusters averaging 7 buds in a cluster. 
Fruit matures in September: large, 3% inches long, 
2% inches wide, oblong-obtuse-pyriform, tapering slightly 




71. Belle Lucrative. 

nearly perfect, but externally much more might 
be desired. The fruits are not as large as is 
desirable, and are variable in shape and color. 
The trees bear enormously and almost annually 
on either standard or dwarfing stocks; they 
are vigorous with a distinct upright-spreading 
habit of growth ; hardier than the average 
variety of this fruit; and are more resistant to 
blight. The fruits are too small for a com- 
mercial product, but their delectable flavor 
and luscious flesh make them as desirable as 
any other pear for home use ; besides which the 
trees grow so well, and are so easily managed 
that the variety becomes one of the very best 
for the home orchard. Belle Lucrative is of 
Flemish origin. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, rapid-growing, hardy, productive ; trunk 
and branches medium in thickness : branches smooth, 
grayish-brown mingled with red, covered with scarf-skin, 
with numerous, elongated lenticels. Leaves 3 inches 
long, H4 inches wide, stiff; apex abruptly pointed; 
margin finely serrate, tipped with very small, sharp 
glands ; petiole 2 inches long. Flowers with an un- 
pleasant odor, showy, \Vz inches across, average 7 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late September and October ; 
medium in size, 2% inches long, 2Vi, inches wide, 
turbinate, with sides unequal; stem 1V4 inches long; 
cavity verv shallow and narrow or lacking, the flesh 
drawn up about the base of the stem ; calyx open, large ; 
lobes long, narrow, acuminate ; basin shallow, obtuse, 
smooth ; skin thin, tender, smooth ; color dull greenish- 
yellow, thickly sprinkled with small, russet dots, often 



78 



BEURRE D'ANJOU 



BEURRE BOSC 



overspread with russet around the basin ; dots nuraer- 
-ous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh tinged with yellow, 
firm, fine-grained, crisp, buttery, juicy, sweet ; quality 
very good ; core closed, abaxile ; calyx-tube long, narrow, 
funnel-shape ; seeds narrow, plump, acute. 

BEURRE D'ANJOU. Fig. 72. Anjou. Nee 
plus Meuris. Beurre d'Anjou is a standard mar- 
ket pear for late fall and early winter, its season 
lasting until well into Januaiy. As an early 
winter pear, it has no superior and few equals 
in appearance and quality of fruit. The pear is 
of a distinct type — large, very uniform, the sides 
slightly unequal, smooth of skin, yellow, marked 




72. Beurre d'Anjou. 

and dotted with russet, with r\ faint blush, 
and borne on a very short, thick stem. The 
yellowish-white flesh is firm but tender, slightly 
granular, verj^ juicy, sweet and spicy, with a 
rich vinous flavor. Uniformity of shape and 
the smooth skin are marked and constant char- 
acters. The fruits of this pear are not always 
up to their best, but they are never poor in 
quality. The trees are vigorous, hardy, grow 
rapidly and come in bearing early, but have 
the serious fault of being uncertain croppers. 
Of all winter pears, none is more valuable for 
commercial or home orchards than Beurre 
d'Anjou. It is an old French pear, the origin 
of which is obscure. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, an uncertain 
bearer ; trunk smooth ; branches slightly zigzag, with 
few small lenticels. Leaves 3^ inches long, l^^ inches 
■wide, elongated-oval, thin, leathery ; apex t;iper-pointed ; 
margin nearly entire or crenate ; petiole 2 inches long. 
Flowers 1% inches across, showy, in dense clusters, 
from 8 to 12 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe November- 
December ; large, 3 Vz inches long, 3 inches wide, uniform 
in size, oblong-obovate-pyriform, with surface irregular 
in outline but with smooth skin, sides slightly unequal, 
■uniform in general shape ; stem ^ inch long, short, very 
thick and woody ; cavity obtuse, shallow, slightly rus- 
seted and furrowed, usually lipped ; calyx open ; lobes 
separated at the base, long, narrow, acuminate ; basin 
shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical and regu- 
lar ; skin thin, tender, smooth, dull ; color greenish 
becoming quite yellow, clouded with russet around the 
basin and occasionally with very fine russet lines and 
markings ; dots many, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh 
white, firm but granular, tender, buttery, very juicy. 



sweet and spicy, with a rich aromatic flavor ; quality 
very good ; core large, closed ; core-lines clasping ; calyx- 
tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, 
acuminate, tufted at the tips. 

BEURRE D'ARENBERG. The fruits of 
this variety are distinguished by their refresh- 
ing, vinous taste and long-keeping qualities. 
Very often, however, they do not ripen in 
eastern America, and when not properly rip- 
ened the pears are highly acidulous and so 
astringent as to be almost intolerable to the 
taste. The frequency with which these poor 
fruits are borne, always on heavy, cold clays 
and in cold climates, coupled with rather small, 
short-lived trees, condemn the variety for most 
pear regions in the East. In the far West, the 
crop ripens better and the pears are excellent 
winter fruits. The variety is an old Belgian 
one, the origin of which is in dispute. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright, verj' hardy 
and very productive ; trunk and branches medium in 
thickness and smoothness. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% 
inches wide ; apex taper-pointed ; margin glandless, finely 
serrate; petiole 1% inches long. Fruit ripe December- 
January : large. obovate-pjTiform, ribbed ; stem 1 inch 
long, thick, fleshy at the base, obliquely inserted ; cavity 
laclcing, drawn up in an oblique lip about the stem ; 
calyx small, closed, lobes short, sometimes lacking ; 
basin deep, smooth ; skin roughish, thick, uneven ; color 
greenish-yellow becoming yellow at maturity, with 
patches and tracings of russet especially around the 
calyx end ; dots numerous, cinnamon-russet ; flesh white, 
very juicy, melting, vinous or acidulous ; quality very 
good ; core large ; seeds large, roundish, plump. 




Beurre Bosc. 



BEURRE BOSC. Fig. 73. Bosc. The 
fruits of Beurre Bosc are nearly flawless in 
every character. They at once receive appro- 
bation from all who see them by virtue of 
their uniquely beautiful color and shape, in 



BEURRE CLAIRGEAU 



BEURRE DIEL 



these characters being wholly unlike any other 
pear. The shape is p.vriform with a very long 
tapering neck, perfectly symmetrical and un- 
equalled in trimness of contour. The color is 
a dark rich yellow overspread with cinnamon 
russet with here and there a spot of the yellow 
ground color visible. The quality is "very 
good" or "best," Seckel alone surpassing it as 
a dessert fruit. The flesh is tender and melting 
or almost buttery, very juic3', with a rich 
piquant ffa-i-or and a pleasing aroma. The 
characters of the tree fall far short of those of 
the fruits; they make a poor growth in the 
nursery; must be humored in soil and climate; 
and make but a moderate growth as young 
plants. Established trees, however, surpass 
most of their neighbore in size and luxuriance 
of foliage. While slow in coming in bearing, 
after fruiting begins the trees bear regularly 
and abundantly. Unfortunately, the trees are 
tender to cold and somewhat susceptible to 
blight. Beurre Bosc has long been a favorite, 
and its culture may be recommended for the 
home, for local and general markets and for 
exportation. This pear is a native of Belgium, 
having been raised from seed in 1807 by Dr. 
Van Mons, the renowned pomologist of Lou- 
vain. 

Tree medium in size, not very vigorous, upright- 
spreading, hardy, productive, not an early bearer ; trunk 
medium to stocky ; branches nearly smooth, brownish, 
with large lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% inches 
wide, ovate, thick, leatliery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
finely crenate ; petiole 1 % inches long. Flowers open 
early, 1^/^ inches across, showy, in dense clusters, from 
10 to 20 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late October 
and November ; large, 3 % inches long, 2 % inches wide, 
uniform in size, acute-obovate-pyriform, with a very 
long, tapering neck, uniform in shape and very sym- 
metrical ; stem 1 >4 inches long, somewhat curved ; 
cavity very obtuse or lacking, occasionally very shallow 
and narrow, wrinkled, russeted, with a fleshy ring folded 
up around the stem, slightly lipped ; calyx open, small ; 
lobes short, broad, obtuse ; basin very shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; skin slightly granular, 
tender, roughened by russet, dull ; color dark yellow, 
overspread with thick, dark, attractive russet, laid on in 
streaks and patches, with a cheek of solid russet ; dots 
small, light russet, obscure ; flesh yellowish-white, 
slightly granular, tender and melting, buttery, very 
juicy, with a rich, delicious, aromatic flavor ; quality 
very good to best ; core large, closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds wide, 
short, plump, obtuse. 

BEURRE CLAIRGEAU. Fig. 74. Clair- 
gcau. Beurre Clairgeau is one of the mainstays 
in American pear-growing. It maintains its 
place among standard varieties because of 
excellent tree-characters, the fruits, while hand- 
some, being of but mediocre quality. The tree 
is second only to that of Buffum in vigor, 
health and productiveness. It does equally 
well on quince or pear stock. On either stock, 
the trees bear young and usually annually. 
The fruits are large, smooth, symmetrical and 
uniform in shape, with a handsome ground 
color of rich yellow at maturity and a bright 
crimson cheek. But here praises end, for the 
"deceptive cheek of the Beurre Clairgeau" is 
proverbial in pear-growing, the handsome coat 
covering rather coarse, granular flesh which is 
sometimes good but more often commonplace. 
The core is very large, and the flesh surround- 



ing it often softens prematurely. The fruit is 
more suitable for cookery than dessert. The 
pears are heavy and often drop before matu- 
rity ; hence the trees should not be set in wind- 
swept situations. Despite these demerits of 




74. Beurre Clairgeau. (XVo) 

the fruits, the variety is well worth planting in 
commercial orchards for late markets. The 
original tree of Beurre Clairgeau appears to 
have grown by chance as early as 1828 or 1830 
by Pierre Clairgeau, Nantes, France. 

Tree below medium in size, vigorous, unusually 
upright, dense, slow-growing, hardy, productive, a regu- 
lar bearer ; trunk slender, shaggy ; branches smooth, 
slightly zigzag, ash-gray almost completely overspread- 
ing reddish-brown, with many lenticels. Leaves very 
numerous, 3 indies long, 2 inches wide, broadly oval, 
leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin glandless, finely 
serrate; petiole 2 inches long, glabrous. Flowers 1^ 
inches across, showy, in rather dense clusters, averaging 
7 buds to a cluster. Fruit in season late October and 
November ; large, 3 % inches long, 2 % inches wide, 
uniform in size, roundish-acute-pyriform, with a long, 
tapering neck, symmetrical, uniform in shape ; stem % 
inch long, short, very thick and fleshy ; cavity obtuse, 
very shallow and narrow, with practically no depression, 
fleshy around the base of the stem, russeted, lipped ; 
calyx open, large ; lobes separated at the base, long, 
broad, acute or acuminate ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, 
furrowed, often compressed ; skin thick and granular, 
tough, smooth, glossy ; color yellow at maturity, with 
bright pinkish-red blush, becoming nearly crimson in 
highly colored specimens ; dots many, small, russet, con- 
spicuous ; flesh white, quite granular, firm at first but 
becoming tender and melting at maturity, buttery, very 
juicy, sweet, aromatic, with a rich, vinous flavor ; 
quality very good to best ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

BEURRE DIEL. Fig. 75. Die!. The cat- 
alogs and text-books supply Beurre Diel with 
several virtues which Nature denies it. Aa 
grown in the ea.stern United States, the pears 
are dull and unattractive even at maturity 
when the pale lemon color is brightest. If the 
tree is happily situated as to soil and care, the 
quality of its product is excellent, its fruits 



80 



BEURRE GIFFARD 



BEURRE HARDY 



being delicious and ranking among the very 
best, but when illy suited to soil, climate or 
care, the flesh is coarse, the flavor insipid and 
astringent, bringing the quality down to second 
or third rate. The pears keep and ship well. 
The tree is hardy, uncommonly vigorous and 
fruitful, but very subject to blight; it is char- 




75. Beurre Diel. iXV2) 

acterized by its long twisting branches which 
need to be pruned back heavily. The variety 
is still being planted, but there are better 
autumn pears. This pear was derived from a 
chance seedlmg found in 1805 by M. Mauris, 
Brussels, Belgium. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, spreading, open-topped, 
slow-growing, hardy, productive ; trunk slender, smooth ; 
branches slender, twisting, reddish-brown, with few 
lenticels. Leaves 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, 
thick, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin finely 
serrate ; petiole 1 % inches long. Flowers open early, 
1% inches across, showy, in dense clusters, 7 or 8 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit ripe in November ; large, 3 inches 
long, 2% inches wide, uniform in size, obovate-obtuse- 
pyriform, often irregular and usually with sides unequal ; 
stem 1^ inches long, thick, curved; cavity obtuse, 
shallow, very narrow, russeted, furrowed and uneven, 
often lipped ; calyx partly open, large ; lobes separated 
at the base, broad, acute ; basin shallow, obtuse, fur- 
rowed and uneven ; skin very thick and granular, some- 
what roughened by russet markings and dots ; color dull 
greenish-yellow changing to lemon-yellow, with a faint 
pinkish-red blush and markings and flecks of russet ; 
dots many, russet, very conspicuous ; flesh yellowish- 
white, firm, becoming tender and melting, quite granu- 
lar around the core, very juicy, sweet, aromatic, and 
rich : quality very good ; core large, closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, 
wide, long, usually plump but quite often abortive, acute. 

BEURRE GIFFARD. Giffard. This is 
one of the few summer pears with a distinctly 
vinous flavor, which, with the crisp but melting 
flesh makes it a most refreshing summer fruit. 
The pears are large, somewhat like those of 
Beurre Clairgeau in shape and color, and ripen 
at a time — just before Clapp Favorite — when 
good pears are in demand. The fruits keep 
well and are remarkable for their small cores. 
The trees are quite up to the average in all 
characters, and surpass most of their orchard 
associates in hardiness and fruitfulness. This 



early summer pear was found as a chance 
seedling in 1825 by Nicolas Giffard, Foussieres, 

France. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, very spreading, open- 
topped, hardy, productive ; branches reddish-brown, with 
long, narrow, large lenticels. Leaves 2% inches long, 
1^ inches wide, stiff; apex taper-pointed; margin 
almost entire, sometimes pubescent ; petiole 2 % inches 
long, slender, reddish green ; stipules very long and 
Blender. Flowers showy, 1% inches across, in dense 
clusters, average 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late 
August; averages 2% inches long, 3 inches wide, obovate- 
acute-pyriform ; stem % inch long ; cavity lacking, the 
flesh closing up syui metrically around the stem except 
when drawn up in a lip ; calyx open, small ; lobes sepa- 
rated at the base, narrow, acuminate ; basin shallow, 
narrow, obtuse, almost smooth, symmetrical ; skin thin, 
tender, smooth ; color dull greenish-yellow, with a 
slightly dotted, dull pinkish-red blush, but often without 
blush ; dots numerous, small, greenish and russet, very 
conspicuous ; flesh tinged with yellow, granular at the 
center, melting, very juicy, sweet, highly aromatic ; 
quality very good ; core small, closed, with clasping 
core-lines; calyx-tube narrow, funnel-shape; seeds plump, 
acute. 

BEURRE HARDY. Fig. 76. Hardy. 

Beurre Hardy is one of the good autumn pears. 
The fruits are usually large, handsome, and 
the flesh and flavor are exceptionally fine. 
Thus, the flesh, while a little granular at the 
core, is melting and 
juicy — in this case, as 
truly luscious as in 
any other pear. Un- 
fortunately, the fruits 
do not keep well, hav- 
ing a tendency to 
soften at the core. 
When poorly gro^vn 
the pears are quite 
astringent, and there 
is always a smack of 
astringency. The trees, 
while not large, are 
vigorous, hardy, pro- 
ductive and healthy 
except in being a lit- 
tle susceptible to 
blight. This is a fa- 
vorite pear with nurs- 
erymen to bud or 
graft on the quince, 
since it makes a perfect union with any of the 
stocks in common use. Beurre Hardy does 
especially well in eastern United States. This 
is a French pear raised about 1820 by M. Bon- 
net in his seed-beds at Boulogne-sur-Mer. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, 
rapid-growing, hardy, productive ; branches smooth, duU 
brown overspread with gray, witii very numerous, large, 
elongated lenticels. Leaves 2^ inches long, 2 inches 
wide, stiff ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin tipped with 
small glands, finely serrate ; petiole 1 ^ inches long. 
Flowers 1^ inches across, well distributed, average 
9 buds in a cluster. Fruit in season late September 
and early October; large, 3 inches long, 2Vt inches 
wide, uniform, obtuse-pyriform, with a long neck, sym- 
metrical ; stem % inch long, thick, curved ; cavity 
obtuse, shallow and narrow, russeted, often uneven and 
gently furrowed, lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes 
broad, acute ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, gently 
furrowed ; skin granular, tender, russet ; color dull 
greenish-yellow, overspread with thin, brownish-russet, 
without blush ; dots numerous, russet, small, very con- 
spicuous ; flesh granular, melting, buttery, very juicy, 
sweet, riclily aromatic and somewhat vinous ; quality 




76. Beurre Hardy. 
(XVa) 



BEURRE DE JONGHE 



BRAND YWINE 



very good to best ; core large, closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, 
wide, long, plump, acute. 

BEURRE DE JONGHE. A prime requi- 
site in any pear of best quality is that there 
be no disagreeable aftertaste in the flesh. The 
fruits of almost none of the winter pears meet 
this requirement, but those of this variety 
are wholly free from this astringency and are, 
moreover, sweet, rich, and delectable. The 
pears ripen in January and may be kept for 
a month or six weeks at a season when there 
are few other sweet, rich pears, the fruits of 
nearly all other pears at this season being 
vinous and piquant. The trees are hardy and 
productive, but are slow in coming in bearing, 
rather small, not at all self-assertive, and must 
be coddled somewhat. They do better on 
quince than on pear stocks. The variety is 
desirable only for the amateur. M . J . de 
Jonghe foimd this pear in 1852 at Uccle, Bel- 
gium. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, spreading, slow- 
growing, hardy, very productive ; trunk slender, shaggy ; 
branches reddish-brown. Leaves 2 % inclies long, 1 ^ 
inches wide, thick ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin 
glandular, finely serrate; petiole l^ inches long, reddish- 
green. Flowers 1 M inches across, 7 or 8 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit ripens December-January ; medium in 
size, 3 inches long, 2^ inches wide, obovate-obtuse- 
pyriform, very regular ; stem short, thick, inserted 
obliquely ; cavity ver>' shallow or none, the tlesh often 
drawn up in a lip on one side of the stem ; calyx small, 
open ; basin shallow ; skin thin ; color dull greenish- 
yellow becoming yellower at maturity, thickly over- 
spread with a pale, brownish-russet, often with traces 
of a russet-red blush ; dots numerous, small, dull russet ; 
flesh nearly white, fine-grained, melting, buttery, pleas- 
antly flavored, aromatic, sweet ; quality very good. 

BEURRE SUPERFIN. Fig. 77. Super/in. 
Tender in skin and delicate in flesh, the 
product of this variety is not for the markets, 
but that of few other sorts, however, so ad- 
mirably supplies those 
who want choicely 
good fruits. The pears 
are not attractive in 
appearance, but are 
hardly surpassed in 
flavor in their season. 
The flesh is notable 
for juiciness, rich, vi- 
nous flavor, and pleas- 
ant perfume. The trees 
are large, healthy, very 
productive, and are 
easily suited as to 
soils. The trees do 
not bear early, but 
are regular in bearing 
after this life event 
begins. In Europe, the 
variety is successfully 
grown as a dwarf, and 
the pear-growers of a 
generation ago in America recommend this va- 
riety as one of the good sorts to work on the 
quince. The variety is a valuable one for 
home orchards. Beurre Superfin was raised 
from a bed of pear seeds made at Angers, 
France, by M. Goubault in 1837. 




77. Beurre Superfin. 
(Xi/o) 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
hardy, very productive ; trunk unusually stocky, rough- 
ish ; branches thick, rough and shaggy, zigzag, dull 
brownish-red, sprinkled with numerous, elongated 
lenticels. Leaves 3^ inches long, 1% inches wide, 
stiff ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin tipped with small 
glands, coarsely serrate; petiole 1% inches long. Fruit 
matures in October; large, 3^ inches long, 2% inches 
wide, roundish-oblate, with a short, thick, rounded neck, 
symmetrical; stem IVs inclies long, very thick, curved; 
cavity very shallow and narrow or lacking, the flesh 
tapering into the stem or wrinkled ^n u fleshy fold 
about the base of the stem, often lipped ; calyx open ; 
lobes separated at the base, broad ; basin narrow, obtuse, 
gently furrowed, symmetrical ; skin very granular, ten- 
der, smooth ; color dull yellow, netted and streaked 
with light russet, often with a slight brown ish -russet 
cheek ; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh 
tinged with yellow, granular, melting, buttery, very juicy, 
sweet, rich, with brisk vinous flavor, aromatic ; quality 
very good; core large, closed, with clasping core-lines; 
cal,\-x-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, 
plump, acute. 

BLOODGOOD. Bloodgood has long been 
a standard summer pear in America, surpassing 
any European associates of its season, in 
both fruit- and tree-characters. The fruits are 
meritorious for flesh of fine texture, which is 
melting, juicy, and has a rich, sweet, perfumed 
flavor. The quality is variable, being very 
good one season and poor another. The re- 
ports of poor flavor arise from the fact that 
the quality is always poor if the fruit is not 
picked as soon as fully grown and ripened 
indoors. The season in New York is August. 
The trees are resistant to blight, healthy, 
hardy, bear young and regularly, are long- 
lived, and attain large size. The variety has 
little value in commercial plantations, but is 
prized for home use. Bloodgood seems to have 
been brought to notice about 1835 by James 
Bloodgood, Flushing, Long Island. 

Tree upright, dense, slow-growing, productive ; 
branches zigzag, reddish-brown, marked with few small 
lenticels. Leaves 2^4 inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin finely serrate ; 
petiole 11/4 inches long, slender, tinged red. Flowers 
early, 1^4 inches across, in dense clusters, 7 or 8 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit matures in late August ; medium 
in size, 2 inches long, 2% inches wide, roundish-pyriform 
to acute-pj'riform, s>TnmetricaI, uniform, with equal 
sides ; stem % inch long, thick ; cavity russeted, lipped, 
drawn up in fleshy folds about the stem ; calyx open, 
small ; lobes separated at the base, short, broad, obtuse ; 
basin narrow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; skin thick, 
tough, roughish ; color bright yellow, with patches and 
nettings of russet, producing a mottled russet etfect ; 
dots many, small, russet ; flesh tinged yellow, granular, 
melting, buttery, rich, very juicy, sweet, highly flavored, 
aromatic ; quality very good ; core small, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, narrow, conicai ; 
seeds small, short, plump, acute. 

BOSC: See Beurre Bosc. 

BRANDYWINE. Fig. 78. Were it not 
that Tyson is better in tree and fruit, Brandy- 
wine, which ripens its crop with that of Tyson, 
could be put down as the best pear of its 
season. Tyson is the better variety, however, 
and Brandywine has a place in the American 
pear flora only because the pears have a dis- 
tinct flavor which gives them the charm of 
individuality. The flesh is neither sweet nor 
perfumed as is that of most pears at this 
season, but has the piquant smack of some of 
the winter pears which makes the fruits par- 



82 



BUFFUM 



CLAPP FAVORITE 



ticularly refreshing. The tree is vigorous, with 
a handsome pyramidal top. The variety is 
worth planting for the sake of diversity in 
home orchards. The original tree, a chance 




78. Brandywine. {XV2) 

seedling, was found on the farm of Eli Harvey, 
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on the banks of 
the Brandywine River. 

Tree large, vigorous, very upright, dense-topped, pro- 
ductive ; branches long, olive-gray, sprinkled with round- 
ish lenticels. Leaves small, long-ovate ; apex taper- 
pointed ; margin serrate ; petiole 1 */^ inches long. 
Flowers % inch across, in dense clusters, average 9 
buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens in late August and 
early September ; 2 % inches long, 2 ^ inches wide, 
obovate-pyriform ; stem 1^ inches long, fleshy, curved, 
obliquely attached ; cavity lacking, the flesh drawn up 
in a wrinkled fold about the base of the stem ; calyx 
large, open ; lobes short, entire ; basin small, shallow, 
usually smooth ; skin roughish ; color yellow, blushed 
with red on the sunny side, marked with tracings of 
russet especially near the cavity ; dots numerous, large, 
conspicuous, russet ; flesh whitish, or faintly tinged with 
yellow, granular, melting, juicy, aromatic, vinous ; qual- 
itv good to very good ; core small ; seeds few, small, 
dark brown. 

BUFFUM. Buffum has meritorious charac- 
ters of the tree which should keep it in the 
list of standard varieties. The trees are re- 
markably vigorous, nearly free from blight, 
very productive, although they have a ten- 
dency to bear biennially. The quality of the 
fruits is variable. At times the flesh is rich, 
aromatic, meltmg and very good; again, it 
may be insipid or even illy flavored, devoid of 
perfume, coarse in texture and poor. The 
fruits are never large and often run small. To 
attain good quality, the pears must be picked 
early and ripened in a moderately cool fruit- 
room. The culture of Buffum is on the wane, 
chiefly for the reason that its fruits ripen with 
those of Seckei and fail in competition, the 
Seckels being nearly as large and much better 
in quality. The original tree of Buffum grew 
in the garden of David Buffum, Warren, Rhode 
Island. 

Tree vigorous, very upright, dense, hardy, almost 
immune to blight, very productive ; branches shaggy, 
zigzag, reddish-brown, with numerous small lenticels. 
Leaves 3^^ inches long, 2 inches wide, oval, thin. 



leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin glandular, 
finely serrate; petiole 'Z^i inches long. Flowers 1^ 
inches across, showy, in dense clusters, 6 to S flowers in 
a cluster. Fruit ripe in late September and October ; 
2 y^ inches long, more than 2 inches wide, uniform in 
size and shape, oblong-obovate-pyriform, with unequal 
sides ; stem % inch long, very thick ; cavity obtuse, 
shallow, narrow, russeted. gently furrowed, often slightly 
lipped ; calyx open ; lobes separated at the base, short, 
narrow, obtuse ; basin shallow, obtuse, gently furrowed ; 
skin thick, tough and granular, smooth except for the 
russet markings, dull ; color deep brownish-yellow, with 
a bright reddish blush on the exposed cheek toward the 
basin ; dots many, small, brownish or russet, conspicu- 
ous ; flesh white, tinged with yellow, firm, granular, 
stringy toward the center, juicy, sweet, aromatic ; 
quality good ; core large, closed ; core-lines clasping ; 
calyx- tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, 
plump, acute. 

CLAIRGEAU: See Beurre Clairgeau. 




79. Clapp Favorite. (XVa) 

CLAPP FAVORITE. Fig. 79. Clapp Fa- 
vorite is the standard late summer pear to 
precede Bartlett, which it much resembles in 
size, shape, color and flavor. The season is 
usually a week or sometimes ten days before 
that of Bartlett. The chief fault of the fruits 
is that they soon soften at the center after 
ripening, to obviate which they should be 
picked at least ten days before they would 
ripen on the tree. This softening at the core 
debars the fruit from distant markets, and 
makes it suitable only for local trade. The 
fruits are usually a little larger than those of 
Bartlett. The trees of Clapp Favorite are 
nearly perfect except that they go down 
quickly when blight is epidemic. Two good 
characters of the trees redeem the variety 
from failure because of blight. After those of 
Flemish Beauty and Tyson, the trees of this 
variety show greater hardihood to cold than 
those of any other standard sort; and of all 
pears in America, Kieffer not excepted, the 
trees of Clapp Favorite are most fruitful. 
Other merits of the tree are large size, vigor, 
longevity, and earliness and regularity in bear- 



COLONEL WILDER 



DANA HOVEY 



83 



ing. The variety shows a predilection for 
heavy soils, and the trees may be set on the 
heaviest clays. Clapp Favorite is desirable 
wherever pears are grown in America and is 
one of the half-dozen leading sorts of the 
countr>'. This variety originated with Thad- 
deus Clapp, Dorchester, Massachusetts, but 
the date of its origin is uncertain. It 
was mentioned as a promising new fruit in 
1860. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, round-topped, produc- 
tive ; trunk stocky, rough ; branches characteristically 
shaggy, zigzag, reddish-brown, marked by few small, 
roundish, raised lenticels. Leaves 2^/2 inches long, 1^ 
inches wide, oval, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
glandular, finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long. Flowers 
very showy, 1% inches across, large, well distributed, 
averaging 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late 
August and early September ; large, 4 inches long, 
3 % inches wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, symmetrical ; 
stem 1^ inches long, thick, curved, tleshy ; cavity shal- 
low, narrow, lipped, with a fleshy ring around the stem ; 
calyx large, open ; lobes separated at the base, narrow, 
acuminate, erect and very stiff ; basin shallow, wide, 
obtuse, wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, smooth, glossy ; 
color pale lemon-yellow, mottled and dotted with bright 
red, deepening in highly colored specimens to a crimson 
blush, with faint traces of russet ; dots numerous, small, 
russet, conspicuous ; flesh tinged with yellow, very 
granular and gritty at the center, tender and melting, 
buttery, juicy, sweet, rich, vinous, aromatic ; quality 
very good ; core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; 
calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-shaped ; seeds medium 
in size and width, plump. 

COLONEL WILDER. Colonel Wilder 
originated in California and was once a favorite 
there, but is now little planted. At one time 
it was prominent in eastern orchards because 
of its late season and large, handsome, well- 
flavored fruits. The variety came in competi- 
tion with Beurre d'Anjou, however, the season 
and fruits of the two being very similar, but 
the trees of Colonel Wilder were so greatly 
outmatched by those of Beurre d'Anjou that 
the new variety is less and less planted in the 
East. Perhaps it is worth preserving in pear 
collections for the sake of variety. This pear 
was raised by Bernard S. Fox of San Jose, 
California, about 1870. 

Tree medium in size, spreading and drooping, open- 
topped, an uncertain bearer ; trunk shaggy ; brandies 
stocky, very rough, reddish-brown, marked with many 
lenticels. Leaves 2^4 inches long, 1^ inches wide, 
narrow, short, oval, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; 
margin glandless, finely serrate; petiole 2% inches long, 
slender, pale green or yellowish, sometimes with a tinge 
of pink. Blossoms open very late ; tlowers 1 V* inches 
across, in dense clusters, 7 or 8 buds in a cluster. 
Fruit in season late December to February ; large, 3 
inches long, 2% inches wide, uniform in size, ribbed, 
oblong-obovate-pyriform, with unequal sides ; stem % 
inch long, thick, curved ; cavity small, obtuse, shallow, 
narrow, furrowed, occasionally lipped ; calyx large, 
open : lobes separated at the base, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, narrow, abrupt, usually smooth, s>-mmetrical ; 
skin thick, tough, rough, dull ; color light yellow, often 
with a faint orange-red blusii on the exposed cheek, 
with nettings and markings of russet ; dots numerous, 
small, grayish and russet-colored, conspicuous ; flesh 
yellowish-white, granular around the core, melting, 
buttery, very juicy, sweet, aromatic, with a musky 
flavor ; quality good ; core large, closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds wide, 
plump, acute. 

COLUMBIA. Once a favorite in eastern 
United States, Columbia is planted now only 
in collections. When pear-growing was being 



attempted in the southern states, before the 
advent of Kieffer, Garber, and Le Conte, Co- 
lumbia was the most dependable sort for the 
South. The pears are not attractive in ap- 
pearance, nor remarkably good in quality, but 
the trees are vigorous, healthy and very fruit- 
ful, although they come in bearing late. This 
variety must not be confused with the Co- 
lumbia now listed in many catalogs, the proper 
name of which is Barseck. The original seed- 
ling grew on the farm of a Mr. Casser, West- 
chester County, New York. In 1835 stock 
was propagated from the original tree, which 
was then fifteen inches in diameter. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, very 
productive ; trunk stocky, rough ; branches thick, rough 
and shaggy, dull brownish-red, marked with round 
lenticels. Leaves SVt inches long, 114 inches wide, 
long-oval, thin ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin finely 
serrate, usually tipped with very small glands ; petiole 
2% inches long. Blossoms late; flowers 1% inches 
across, very sliowy, in dense clusters, 9 to 12 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit ripe from late November to January ; 
large, 3 inches long, 2% inches wide, uniform in size, 
oblong-obovate-pyriform, broad at the middle, unequal 
sides, uniform in general shape ; stem 1 inch long, 
curved, thick ; cavity obtuse, very shallow and narrow, 
smooth ; calyx partly open, large ; lobes narrow, aqumi- 
nate ; basin shallow, obtuse, slightly wrinkled ; skin 
thick, granular, tough, rough, dull ; color yellowish- 
green, frequently with a dotted, dull red blush on the 
exposed cheek ; dots many, of various colors, conspicu- 
ous ; flesh yellowish-wliite, firm, granular, ratlier tough, 
very juicy, sweet, aromatic and rich ; quality good ; 
core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
wide, conical ; seeds narrow, very long, often flattened 
and abortive, acuminate. 

COMICE: See Doyenne du Cornice. 

DANA HOVEY. Dana Hovey is a deli- 
cious little dessert pear, so juicy, sweet, and 
rich that it is a veritable sweetmeat. It is 
one of the best pears to succeed Seckel; the 
fruits come in season about the middle of No- 
vember and keep from six weeks to two 
months. The flavor is that of Winter Nelis 
with a smack of Seckel. The pears are more 
brightly colored than those of Seckel, and 
are larger so that the fruits are more attractive. 
The trees are hardy, vigorous, and thrive on 
various soils, but are only moderately pro- 
ductive and are somewhat susceptible to blight. 
Dana Hovey is one of few winter pears with 
fruits of high quality, for which reason it is 
very desirable for home use and ought to have 
value in commercial plantations. Francis Dana, 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, introduced this pear 
about 1854 under the name Dana's Hovey in 
honor of C. M. Hovey, author of The Fruits oj 
America. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, rapid-growing, 
productive ; trunk stocky ; branches reddisli-brown, 
marked by few small lenticels. Leaves 3 ^ inches long, 
t% inches wide, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin 
glandless or with few reddish glands, finely serrate ; 
petiole short, stocky, 1^ inches Ion?, glabrous. Flowers 
1V& inches across, in dense clusters, average 8 buds in 
J. cluster. Fruit matures m late October and November ; 
medium in size, 2^/2 inches long, 2^ inches wide, 
obovate-obtuse-pyrilomi, symmetrical, uniform ; stem ^ 
inch long, slender ; cavity abrupt, shallow, very small, 
narrow, slightly lipped ; calyx partly open, small ; 
lobes short, narrow, acute ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, 
smooth, symmetrical ; skin thin, tender, smooth ; color 
golden-yellow, covered with thin russet ; dots numerous. 



84 



DEARBORN 



DOYENNE D'ALENgON 



Bmall, greenish -russet ; flesh tinged with yellow, granular 
at the center, tender and melting, juicy, sweet, highly 
perfumed, juicy, aromatic ; quality of the best ; core 
large, closed, abaxile ; calyx-tube short, plump, obtuse. 

DEARBORN. Dearborn's Seedling. Once 
a favorite, Dearborn is now nearly lost to culti- 
vation. It IS too good a variety to be lost, 
however. The fruits ripen early and are of 
good quality, though hardly as richly flavored 
as those of Elizabeth which ripen at the same 
time. Unfortunately the pears run small, but 
they are attractive in shape and color. In 
season, the crop succeeds that of Bloodgood, 
and precedes that of Bartlett. The trees are 
almost flawless, and are as well adapted to 
home orchards where fruits cannot receive the 
care of skilled hands, as any other pear. Be- 
sides being almost free from blight, the trees 
are hardy, vigorous, and very productive. The 
variety has many valuable qualities for a sum- 
mer pear in home orchards. This pear was 
found in 1818 at Roxbury, Massachusetts, near 
the home of General H. A. S. Dearborn. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, tall, rapid-growing, 
very productive ; branches thick, zigzag, reddish-brown, 
marked by many reddish-brown lenticels. Leaves 3 
inches long. 1 % inches wide, thin ; apex obtusely 
pointed ; margin with very fine dark tips, finely and 
shallowly serrate; petiole tinged red, 1% inches long, 
glabrous. Flowers showy, 1 ^/i inches across, in dense 
clusters, 9 or 10 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late 
August; small, 2 inches long, 2V4, inches wide, uniform, 
roundish-pyriform, with a slight neck, symmetrical, 
uniform ; stem 1 inch long, slender ; cavity obtuse, shal- 
low, narrow, thinly russeted, often lipped ; calyx open, 
large ; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin very shallow, obtuse, gently furrowed and wrin- 
kled, symmetrical ; skin thick, very tough, smooth, dull ; 
color clear pale yellow, witli russet specks ; dots numer- 
ous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh white, slightly 
granular at the center, tender and melting, very juicy, 
sweet but spicy, aromatic ; quality good ; core large, 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

DIEL: See Beurre Diel. 

DORSET. Late Seckel. Dorset has been 

on probation for twenty-five years, but its 
status is not yet decided. The fruits resemble 
those of Seckel in shape and color, but are 
larger and come in season later. These ex- 
ternal resemblances to Seckel have given it 
the name "Late Seckel," which, however, is a 
misnomer, as a taste of the two fruits at once 
makes plain. Dorset is not nearly as richly 
flavored as Seckel. The tree-characters are 
very good. Since there are few good late pears 
to follow Seckel, there may be a place for 
Dorset. The variety was raised from seed by 
Lemuel Clapp, Dorchester, Massachusetts, and 
was introduced in 1895. 

Tree small, spreading, slow-growing, very productive, 
a regular bearer ; trunk slender, shaggy ; branches 
slender, smooth, reddish-brown, marked with many large 
lenticels Leaves 3 inches long. 1 Vz inches wide, oval, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin crenate ; petiole 
1% inches long, slender. Blossoms open very early ; 
flowers often 1% inches across, s^ owy, in dense clusters, 
from 8 to 12 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in 
December ; below medium in size, 2*^ inches long, 
S^ifi inches wide, uniform in size and shape, obovate- 
obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides ; stem % inch 
long, curved ; cavity almost lacking, obtuse, shallow, 
narrow, furrowed, compressed, often lipped ; calyx open ; 
lobes separated at the base, long, acute ; Ijasin narrow, 



obtuse, gently furrowed ; skin thick, smooth, dull 
greenish -yellow, marked with a dull bronze-red blush on 
the exposed cheek ; dots many, small, grayish and 
russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish-white, firm, granular 
at the center, tender, very juicy, very sweet and 
aromatic ; quality good ; core closed, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, 
long, plump, acute, broad at the base. 

DOUGLAS. In regions where blight and 

heat make pear-growing precarious, and pears 
with oriental blood, as Kieffer, Garber and Le 
Conte, must be grown, Douglas, which be- 
longs with the pears just named, might well 
be tried. It is better in flavor than any other 
variety of its class. The trees come in bearing 
remarkably early, and are as productive as 
those of Kieffer, though hardly as large or 
vigorous. The trees are inclined to overbear, 
in which case the fruits run small. The va- 
riety has little to recommend it, but those 
who grow Kieffer might put it on probation 
with the hope of growing a fruit passably fair 
for dessert. Douglas is a seedling of Kieffer 
crossed, it is believed, with Duchesse d'An- 
gouleme by 0. H. Ayer, Lawrence, Kansas, 
about 1897. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright, very produc- 
tive ; trunk slender, smooth ; branches slender, dull 
brownish-red. Leaves 3H inches long, 1^ inches wide, 
thick ; apex taper-pointed ; margin glandless, finely and 
shallowly serrate; petiole 1% inches long. Flowers 1% 
inches across, white or occasionally with a faint tinge 
of pink, 11 or 12 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in 
October; large, 3^ inches long, 2% inches wide, 
obovate-pyriform, tapering at both ends like the Kieffer ; 
stem 1% inches long, slender ; cavity deep, narrow, 
compressed, often lipped ; calyx small, partly open ; 
basin furrowed ; skin thick, tough ; color pale yellow, 
heavily dotted and sometimes Hecked with russet ; dots 
numerous, small, light russet or greenish ; flesh tinged 
with yellow, firm but tender, granular, very juicy, sweet 
yet with an invigorating flavor ; quality good ; core 
closed, axile ; calyx-tube short, wide ; seeds long, plump, 
acute. 

DOYENNE D'ALEN90N. This old 
French pear is worth planting because of its 
verj' late fruits and long season. The pears 
come in season under ordinary conditions in 
December and keep until March. The fruits 
are not remarkable for either taste or appear- 
ance, but are good for a winter product when 
there is little competition with other varieties. 
In some seasons the pears fail to ripen, and the 
variety should be planted only on warm soils 
and in situations where the season is warm 
and long. This variety is much grown in 
Europe on the quince. A pear of this name 
and season was found at Orleans in 1628, in 
the orchard of Le Lectier, the renowned French 
pomologist. 

Tree upright, dense-topped, productive ; trunk thick, 
shaggy: branches stock.v, reddish-brown. Leaves 2% 
inches long, 1% inches wide, thin; apex taper-pointed; 
margin with few glands, coarsel.v serrate; petiole 2% 
inches long, glabrous, with tinge of red, slender. Flowers 
early, 1 % inches across, in dense clusters, average 9 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit ripe December-February; 2% inches 
long, 2% inches wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, sym- 
metrical, uniform ; stem % inch long, thick, curved ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, symmetrical, often slightly lipped, 
small; calyx open, large; lobes not separated at the 
base, broad ; basin narrow, abrupt, smooth, symmetrical ; 
skin very thick, tough, rough ; color dull greenish-yellow 
with a faint orange blush on the exposed cheek, marked 
with many brown and russet dots and netted with russet; 



DOYENNE BOUSSOCK 



DOYENNE DU COMICE 



85 



dots numerous, small, brownish-russet ; flesh tinged with 
yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, juicy, 
aromatic, with a lively vinous flavor ; quality good ; 
core large, closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; calji- 
tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, 
acute. 

DOYENNE BOUSSOCK. Fig. 80. Bous- 
sock. If the fruits were better in quality and 
kept longer, this variety would take rank 
among the best commercial sorts, for the pears 
are handsome and the trees are nearly flawless. 
The briskly acid flavor is not pleasing to many, 
and the fruits become soft at the center soon 




80. Doyenne Boussock. (X%) 

after ripening. The pears are above medium 
in size and are sometimes large or very large. 
The seeds are often abortive. The trees are 
very large and vigorous, as hardy to cold as 
those of any other pear, little susceptible to 
blight, and remarkable for their prominent 
buds and large, thick, glossy green leaves, 
which turn deep red in the autumn. On some 
soils the trees do not hold their crop well, and 
it is always best to plant them where there is 
protection against heavy winds. The trees are 
prodigious bearers, and bear regularly — charac- 
ters which make the variety desirable for local 
markets. This pear is supposed to have been 
raised by the Belgian, Van Mons, at the be- 
ginning of the nineteenth century. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright-spreading, tall, 
hardy, productive ; trunk thick, shaggy ; branches stocky, 
shaggy, grayish-brown. Leaves 3% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin 
very finely serrate; petiole IVi inches long, slender. 
Flowers early, showy, 1% inches across, in dense clusters, 
average 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in early 
September; large, 3 inches long, 2% inches wide, uni- 
form, obtuse-obovate-pyriform, symmetrical ; stem 1 inch 
long, very thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, broad, often 
russeted, furrowed, lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes 
separated at the base, broad, acute ; basin shallow, wide, 
obtuse, gently furrowed and wrinkled ; skin thin, tender, 
smootli except for the russet nettings ; color pale yellow, 
occasionally with a mottled pinkisli-red blush, more or 
less netted with russet ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
conspicuous ; flesh white, tender and melting, buttery, 
verv juicy, briskly acid ; quality good ; core large, 
closed, axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube very 
short, wide, broadly conical ; seeds black, narrow, long, 
flattened, often abortive. 



DOYENNE DU COMICE. Fig. 81. 
Cornice. This pear has been esteemed long 
and justly for the beauty and high quality 
of its fruits, and, if its tree-characters were 
better, the variety would take high place in 
commercial orcharding as well as for the home 
orchard to which it is now almost wholly con- 
fined. The fruits are very large, smooth, ex- 
cept for russet markings, clear handsome yel- 
low, sometimes brightened by a delicate blush, 
with yellow, fine-grained flesh, which is tender, 
melting, very juicy, sweet, piquant, perfumed. 




81. Doyenne du Cornice. (XVa) 

The quality is so good that the fruits of this 
variety are called by many the best of all 
pears. The list of faults for the trees is as 
long as the list of merits for the fruits. The 
trees make a poor growth in the nursery; 
must be humored in soil, climate, and care; 
they are subject to blight; while usually pro- 
ductive, they are not always so; lastly, they 
are a little below the average in hardihood to 
cold. The variety thrives on the Pacific slope 
where it is a valuable commercial pear. The 
parent tree of Doyenne du Comice was taken 
from the first seed-bed made in the fruit-gar- 
den of the Comice Horticole, Angers, France. 

Tree vigorous, characteristically upright, dense, usually 
productive ; branches smooth, marked with large lenticels. 
Leaves 3% inches long, H4 inches wide, oval, leathery; 
margin finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long. Blossoms 
open late ; flowers 1 Vt inches across, in dense clusters, 
about 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late October 
and November ; large. 3 inches long, 2 % inches wide, 
obovate-obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides; stem 1% 
inches long, very thick, curved ; cavity obtuse, shallow, 
narrow, russeted and wrinkled, often with a fleshy ring 
around the base of the stem ; calyx open ; lobes separated 
at the base, long, narrow, acuminate ; basin wide, obtuse, 
furrowed ; skin tough and granular, smooth except for 
the russet markings, dull ; color clear yellow, often with 
a faint russet-red blush on the exposed cheek, the surface 
heavily covered with large patches and nettings of 
russet : dots many, small, dark brown ; flesh yellow, 
fine-grained near the outside but granular toward the 
core, melting, tender, buttery, very juicy, sweet and 
vinous, aromatic ; quality very good to best ; core closed, 
with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube sliort, wide, conical ; 
seeds large, wide, long, ratlier plump, acute, often 
abortive. 



S6 DROUARD 

DROUARD: See President Drouard. 

DUCHESSE D'ANGOULEME. Fig. 82. 

AiifiouU'iitr. The fruits of Duchesse d'An- 
gouleme excite admiration and wonder by their 
enormous size. They may always be known 
by their size, squat pyriform shape, and uneven 
knobby surface. Well grown, the fJesh is 
buttery and melting with a rich and delicious 
flavor; but poorly grown, and on unfavorable 




82. Duchesse d'Angouleme. (XVi) 

soils, the flesh is granular, coarse-grained, but 
half-melting, and nearly devoid of the richness 
that characterizes the fruits in happier situa- 
tions. The trees are vigorous, hardy and 
healthy, bear abundantlj' under favorable con- 
ditions, and succeed either as standards or 
dwarfs. Possibly this sort is best grown as a 
dwarf, and in America at least is more often 
worked on the dwarfing quince than on the 
pear. This variety is the favorite dwarf pear 
for garden and home orchard, and commercial 
orchards of dwarfed trees are not uncommon. 
On either stock, the tree makes a beautiful 
and symmetrical pyramid, and comes in bear- 
ing early and bears regularly. This variety is 
more popular in New York than in any other 
part of America, and while less planted than 
formerly, is still regarded as a standard late 
autumn variety. The original tree of Duchesse 
d'Angouleme was a wilding growing in a garden 
near Angers, France. It was introduced about 
1812. 

Tree vigorous, upright, becoming spreading, dense- 
topped, slow-growing, productive ; branches stocky, 
shaggy, zigzag, dull reddish-brown, marked with small 
lenticels. Leaves 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, 
thick, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin marked 
with minute dark brown glands, crenate, or nearly 
entire; petiole 1% inches long. Flowers 1% inches 
across, 7 or 8 buds in each cluster. Fruit ripe October- 
November ; large, often very large, 3% inches long. 2^4 
inches wide, uniform in size, oblong- obovate- pyriform 



DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU 



with irregular and uneven surface and with sides often 
unequal ; stem 1^ inches long, very thick, curved ; 
cavity acute, deep, furrowed, irregular, often lipped ; 
calyx partly open, small ; lobes short, narrow, acute ; 
basin medium to deep, abrupt, furrowed and uneven, 
often corrugated ; skin thick, granular, roughened with 
russet ; color dull yellow, streaked, spotted and netted 
with dull russet ; dots numerous, russet, conspicuous ; 
flesh white, firm, melting, tender, granular, juicy, sweet, 
rich and delicious ; quality good to very good ; core 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical ; seeds small, narrow, flat, acute, often abortive. 

DUCHESSE D'ORLEANS. Saint-Nico- 
las. While in no way remarkable, this variety 
is too valuable to be discarded. The pears 
are bright yellow with a brilliant cheek, the 
whole fruit being more or less mottled with 
golden russet; smooth of skin; symmetrical 
in shape ; and the fruits are more uniform in 
size than those of most varieties. While the 
flesh is a little dry and not as rich in flavor 
as that of most other varieties of its season, 
it is so crisp and refreshingly piquant in con- 
trast to the sweeter, buttery pears with which 
it ripens, that the variety finds favor with all 
who like pears. The variety fails in its tree- 
characters. The trees are late in coming in 
bearing; not very vigorous; somewhat tender 
to cold; and do not resist blight well. The 
variety is well worth planting in the home 
orchard. This pear is a chance seedling found 
by M. Manner near Angers, France. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, spreading, rapid- 
growing, moderately productive ; branches medium in 
thickness and smoothness, reddish-brown, with few in- 
distinct lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1 ^ inches wide ; 
apex taper-pointed ; margin tipped with small brownish 
glands, coarsely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long, glabrous, 
reddish-green. Flowers showy, 1% inches across, in 
dense clusters, average 7 buds in a cluster, the petals 
widely separated at the base. Fruit matures in late 
September and October ; medium in size, 2 % inches long, 
2Vi inches wide, obovate-acute-pyriform, symmetrical; 
stem 1 inch long, thick ; cavity lacking, the tlesh drawn 
up in a symmetrical fold about the stem ; calyx small, 
open ; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acute ; basin 
very shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth or slightly wrinkled ; 
skin thin, tender, smooth ; color yellow overlaid with a 
pinkish-red blush, faintly mottled with golden russet ; 
dots numerous, whitish or russet, conspicuous ; flesh 
tinged with yellow, firm, granular, crisp, juicy, subacid ; 
quality good ; core small, closed, axile, with meeting 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, conical ; seeds long, plump, 
acute. 

DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU. Duhamcl. 
The unattractive little fruits of this pear would 
have small value were it not for the fact that 
they are delicious in quality, and come into 
edible condition about the latest of all pears. 
The fruits are similar to those of Winter Nelis, 
differing in shape somewhat, but are even bet- 
ter in quality and keep longer. They are dis- 
tinguished by a musky taste and perfume,, 
which is especially agreeable to those who like 
rich, sw-eet, perfumed pears. The trees are 
better than most of their orchard associates,, 
and far superior to the unmanageable Winter 
Nelis with which this variety must compete. 
After a probationary period of a half century 
in America, Duhamel du Monceau has not 
found favor with commercial orchardists, but 
pear fanciers value it for its delectable late- 
keeping fruits. Duhamel du Monceau was 
obtained from seed by Andre Leroy, Angers^ 
France. 



EARLY HARVEST 



ELIZABETH 



87 



Tree vigorous, upright, dense, slow- growing, hardy ; 
branches thick, zigzag, dull brownish-red, marked with 
numerous, large lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% 
inches wide, long, folded lengthwise with the margins 
curled under, leatliery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
entire or very coarsely crenate ; petiole 2 inches long, 
slender. Blossoms open late, 1 inch across, well dis- 
tributed, averaging 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe 
October- November ; i% inches long, 'IV2 inches wide, 
roundish-pyriform or at times oblong -pyr if orm, sym- 
metrical, with equal sides ; stem 1 inch long, cun-ed, 
thick ; cavity lacking, the stem being attached to the 
smooth, Hat "surface ; calyx open ; lobes separated at the 
base, short, obtuse or acute ; basin shallow, obtuse, 
gently furrowed, small ; skin thin, tender, roughened 
by the russet skin, dull ; color greenish -yellow nearly 
overspread with solid, russet or at times only splashed, 
spotted and sprinkled with russet ; dots many, small, 
russet, obscure, slightly raised ; flesh yellowish-white, 
granular around the core, melting, buttery, very juicy, 
vinous ; quality very good ; core variable in size, closed, 
with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds elongated-oval, wide, plump, acute. 

EARLY HARVEST. Chambers. The 
fruits of Early Harvest are so poor in quality, 
and rot at the core so soon after ripening, that 
the variety is hardly worth growing. To offset 
these defects, the pears are large and handsome 
for early fruits, and the trees are healthy, 
regular, and heavy bearers. The pear is char- 
acterized by a thick, fleshy stem and a large, 
closed core. Nurserymen report that the tree 
is difficult to propagate, and fruit-growers find 
that it is slow in coming in bearing; the growth 
is usually straggling and difficult to manage 
in nursery or orchard. The variety is more 
popular in the Middle West than in anj' other 
part of the country. This variety appears to 
have been brought to Middletown, Kentucky, 
from Maryland by Captain William Chambers 
about 1800. 

Tree large, very vigorous, upright-spreading, dense- 
topped, very hardy, productive, long-lived ; trunk very 
stocky, shaggy ; branches thick, shaggy, zigzag, dull red- 
dish-brown mingled with green and heavily marked with 
numerous large, elongated lenticels. Leaves 3^4 inches 
long, 2% inches wide; apex very abruptly pointed; mar- 
gin glandless, varying from finely serrate to entire ; petiole 
1% inches long, slender. Flowers open early, showy, l^^ 
inches across, well distributed, average 7 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit ripens in August ; large, obovate-obtuse- 
pyriform, symmetrical ; stem very thick, fleshy at its 
juncture with the cavity ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, 
often wrinkled and drawn up in fleshy folds about the 
base of the stem, calyx small, open; lobes short, obtuse; 
basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, wrinkled ; skin thin, 
smooth ; color pale yellow, more or less overspread on 
the cheek with a pinkish blush, occasionally mingled 
with stripes of carmine ; dots numerous, small, greenish- 
russet, obscure ; flesh yellowish, firm, granular, crisp, 
somewhat tough, variable in juiciness ; quality poor ; 
core large, closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; calji- 
tube very long, narrow ; seeds wide, short, plump, obtuse. 

EASTER BEURRE. Doyenne d'Hiuer. 
The fruit-books of Europe have so much to 
say in praise of Easter Beurre that the variety 
has been tried time and agam in America, but 
nearly always with unfavorable results. It 
grows well only in warm climates and on light, 
warm soils, and refuses to ripen its crop on 
any others. There are occasional places in 
eastern America where Easter Beurre can be 
well grown, but for most part it is at home 
only on the Pacific slope. The fruits are of 
first rate excellence when at their best, and 
add much to the winter supply of pears. They 
are excellent shippers and keep well in common 



or cold storage, so that where the variety suc- 
ceeds it is valuable for home, distant and for- 
eign markets. The trees are in every way 
satisfactory except that they bloom earlier 
than other sorts, and are susceptible to the 
scab-fungus in both fruit and foliage; the3^ 
are hardy, vigorous, and productive. Easter 
Beurre originated at a monasterj^ in Louvain, 
Belgium, about 1823. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, slow- 
growing, hardy, variable in yield ; trunk and branches 
medium in thickness and smoothness ; branches reddish- 
brown sprinkled with inconspicuous lenticels. Leaves 
'2Vb inches long, 1^?^ inches wide, thin; apex abruptly 
pointed ; margin finely serrate, the teeth very short, 
tipped with red ; petiole 2 inches long, slender. Flowers 
H4 inches across, occasionally tinged with pink in the 
bud, average 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit in season late 
December to February; 3 inches long, 2% inches wide, 
obovate-pyriform, with a short, thick neck ; stem % 
inch long, thick, woody ; cavity acute, \ery deep, 
narrow, furro\ved, uneven, compressed ; calyx open ; lobes 
narrow, acute ; basin deep, narrow, abrupt, furrowed 
and wrinkled ; skin thick, tough, roughened by the dots, 
the surface uneven ; color yellow, marked with many 
russet dots and with a few patches and veinings of 
russet and often with a dull brownish-red blush ; dots 
numerous, small, very conspicuous, russet ; flesh tinged 
with yellow, quite granular especially near the center 
and toward the calyx, tender and melting, juicy, buttery, 
sweet, with a rich, pleasant flavor which is neither 
vinous nor sprightly, very aromatic ; quality very good ; 
core large, closed, axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx- 
tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, 
acute. 

ELIZABETH. Manning's Elizabeth. Eliz- 
abeth is among the best summer pears for 
eastern America, either for home consumption 
or for the markets. The characters which com- 
mend it are: handsome, well-flavored fruits; 
and vigorous, hardy, productive trees, which 
are as resistant to blight as those of any other 
European pear, and which come in bearing 
early and bear annually. Faults are: the fruits 
are small; they are a little coarse in texture 
of flesh, which is a little too gritty; and the 
flavor, while good for an early pear, is not 
sweet and rich. The trees are nearly flawless, 
failing, if at all, in not attaining sufficient size. 
The crop is often borne in clusters — a defect 
by reason of which the fruits are often small. 
But even with these faults, this is one of the 
best of summer pears. Elizabeth is a Belgian 
pear which originated with Van Mons early 
in the nineteenth century. 

Tree small, upright, dense-topped, hardy, very pro- 
ductive ; trunk slender ; branches brownish- green, marked 
by conspicuous, oval lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 
Ih^ inches wide, stiff; apex variable; margin almost 
entire ; petiole 2 inches long, slender, reddish-green ; 
stipules very small and slender when present. Flowers 
early, showy, 1% inches across, in dense clusters, average 
8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late August ; inferior 
in size, 2% inches long, 2^ inches wide, obovate-obtuse* 
pyriform, symmetrical, uniform ; stem 1 inch long, thick, 
curved ; cavity acuminate, shallow, narrow, symmetrical, 
often lipped ; calyx large, almost closed ; lobes separated 
at the base, short, narrow, acuminate ; basin shallow, 
obtuse, gently furrowed and wrinkled ; skin tough, char- 
acteristically" rough, glossy ; color bright yellow with a 
beautiful, lively, pinkish-red cheek, mottled, mingled 
with brownish, minute specks ; dots numerous, very 
small, conspicuous, russet or brown ; flesh tinged with 
yellow, slightly granular under the skin, strongly granu- 
lar at the center, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet, 
vinous, aromatic ; quality very good ; core large, closed, 
with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds wide, plump, acute. 



FLEMISH BEAUTY 



FOX 



FLEMISH BEAUTY. Fig. 83. At one 
time Flemish Beauty was a leading commercial 
variety in the pear regions of eastern America, 
but it has been supplanted by other varieties 
because the toll of blighted trees is too great, and 
the fruits are too often disfigured by the scab- 
fungus. Perhaps the latter is the greater fault, 
as in some seasons no applications of spray 




83. Flemish Beauty. (XVa) 

give the pears a clean cheek, and they are 
blackened, scabbed, cracked and malformed 
with fungus. Not infrequently the scab- 
infected foliage drops before the crop matures. 
To offset these defects, the trees are unusually 
fruitful, and as hardy as those of any other 
variety. The fruits are nearly perfect if scab- 
free, and properly matured. The pears must 
be picked as soon as they attain full size and 
be permitted to ripen under cover. So treated, 
a bright-cheeked Flemish Beauty is as hand- 
some as any pear, and is almost unapproach- 
able in quality, the flavor being nicely bal- 
anced between sweetness and sourness, very 
rich, and has a distinct muskiness that all like. 
Blight and scab condemn tree and fruit for 
commercial orchards, but a lover of pears 
should combat these troubles for the sake of 
the choice fruits. The parent tree of this 
variety was a wilding found in a wood near 
Alost, Belgium, about the beginning of the 
nineteenth century. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, often with 
drooping branches, rapid-growing, hardy, productive ; 
trunk smooth ; branches thick, shaggy, bright reddish- 
brown, with large lenticels. Leaves 3i/^ inches long, 1% 
inches wide, oval, thick, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; 
margin finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long, usually 
slender. Flowers 1^ inches across, in dense clusters, 
usually 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe late September 
and early October ; large, nearly 2 % inches long, 2 ^ 
inches wide, uniform in size and shape, obovate-obtuse- 
pyriform, symmetrical, with nearly equal sides ; stem 
1^ inches long, thick; cavity acute, shallow yet much 
deeper than in tlie average pear, narrow, slightly nisseted, 
a little furrowed ; calyx open ; lobes partly separated 
at the base, short, obtuse ; ba£in shallow, narrow, abrupt, 
symmetrical ; skin thick, tough, roughish, dull ; color 
clear yellow, overspread on the exposed cheek with a 
dotted and marbled, reddish blush ; dots numerous, russet. 



small, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish-white, firm, becoming 
melting and tender, granular, juicy, sweet, aromatic, 
with a slight musky flavor ; quality very good ; core 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical ; seeds rather long, plump, acute. 

FONDANTE DE NOEL. Belle de Noel. 
The fruit of this rare European pear is dis- 
tinguished by its trim top shape and russeted 
coat, which is usually enlivened with a dull, 
ruddy color on the sunnj- side. The flesh, 
while gritty near the core, is tender, juicy, 
buttery, very rich, sweet and aromatic. It is 
just the pear for those who prefer sweetness 
to vinousness, and who object to even a trace 
of astringency. The trees, while only medium 
in size, are vigorous, hardy, healthy and pro- 
ductive. The fruits are in season and at their 
best for Christmas. This pear was raised from 
seed by Major Esperen, Mechlin, Belgium. 
The tree fruited first in 1842. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright, hardy, pro- 
ductive ; trunk thick, smooth ; branches brownish-green. 
Leaves 3V^ inches long, 1% inches wide; apex taper- 
pointed; margin glandless, finely serrate; petiole 2% 
inches long. Flowers showy, 1 ^ inches across, white 
often tinged pink on the edges of petals, average 9 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit matures December- January ; above 
medium in size, 2^ inches long, 2% inches wide, 
roundish-turbinate, irregular ; stem % inch long, thick, 
woody, obliquely set : cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, 
furrowed, often lipped ; calyx small, nearly closed ; 
basin narrow, obtuse, furrowed ; skin roughened by 
russet dots and patches ; color dull greenish-yellow, with 
many dots, flecks and patches of russet, often with a faint 
trace of brownish-red on the sunny side ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, rather conspicuous ; flesh white, gritty only 
near the core, tender, buttery, juicy, sweet, highly 
aromatic: quality good to very good; core large, with 
meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide ; seeds large, 
long, plump, acute, 

FORELLE. Trout Pear. The fruits of 
Forelle satisfy the eye for bright colors, and 
are distinguished by trout-like specklings from 
which comes "Forelle," the German name for 
trout. Looks belie taste, however, for while 
the flesh is delicate and buttery, it is not 
highlj- flavored and disappoints those who re- 
gard high quality a prime requisite in a pear. 
The trees are very satisfactory in warm soils 
and exposiu'e, but fail in hea\'y clays and cold 
climates. The variety is worth growing for its 
beautiful and distinctive fruits. The variety 
originated in northern Saxony at the beginning 
of the eighteenth century. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, very hardy 
and very productive ; branches few, dark brownish-red, 
sprinkled with numerous lenticels. Leaves small, flat, 
round-ovate. Flowers open early. Fruit ripens Novem- 
ber-December ; medium in size, 3 inches long, 2 inches 
wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform, with a neck variable in 
length ; stem 1 inch long, slender ; cavity shallow, 
oblique, narrow, often lipped ; calyx small, open ; lobes 
broad ; basin shallow, narrow, abrupt ; skin smooth ; 
color yellow, more or less overlaid with pinkish-red, 
deepening to rich crimson next to the sun, profusely 
covered with grayish-russet dots which are margined or 
rayed with crimson ; dots numerous, large and small, 
russet or grayish ; flesh white, fine-grained, granijiar at 
the center, melting, buttery, juicy, aromatic, with a rich, 
vinous flavor ; quality good ; core medium in size ; seeds 
nearly black, of medium size, 

FOX. Fox seems to have failed in the 
pear-growing regions of America, in spite of 
its having some excellent characters in both 



FREDERICK CLAPP 



GLOU MORCEAU 



89 



fruit and tree. The fruits are not quite at- 
tractive enough to sell on the markets or to 
grace the table of the amateur, their rough, 
russet skins detracting greatly from their ap- 
pearance. When the skm is removed, how- 
ever, a better late fall pear cannot be found. 
The flesh is white, fine in texture, very juicy, 
melting, and has a brisk, vinous flavor and a 
pleasant aromatic smell and taste that at once 
place the quality very high. The trees are 
but mediocre in the prime characters of a good 
orchard plant. The variety is condemned for 
any purpose other than the collector's planta- 
tion. Fox is one of many seedlings originated 
by B. S. Fox, San Jose, California, about 1870. 

Tree upright-spreading, round-topped, moderately pro- 
ductive ; trunk slender ; branches stocky, smooth, 
greenish -brown. Leaves 2 % inches long, 1 Vi inches 
wide, thick ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin nearly 
entire to finely serrate. Flowers open early. Fruit ripe 
October-November ; large, 3 % inches long, 2 \^ inches 
wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform ; stem 1 ^/z inches long, 
very thick, curved, obliquely set ; cavity very shallow 
or lacking, the flesh folded up around the base of the 
stem ; calyx closed or slightly open, variable in size ; 
lobes much separated at the base, short, broad, acute ; 
basin shallow, narrow, very small, furrowed and com- 
pressed ; skin thick, granular, tough, roughened by the 
russet dots ; color russet -yellow, often with a russet-red 
blush on the side next to the sun, overspread with 
russet ; dots numerous, conspicuous, russet ; tiesh white, 
granular near the core, melting, very juicy, sweet, 
mingled with a brisk vinous flavor, richly aromatic ; 
quality very good ; core large, closed ; calyx-tube short, 
wide ; seeds wide, plump, acute. 

FREDERICK CLAPP. Frederick Clapp 
has a place on the pear list, because it is one 
of the few good varieties with acidulous fruits. 
The refreshing, piquant flavor; the tender, 
melting, juicy flesh; and the bright lemon- 
yellow color without a trace of red give suffi- 
cient charm and character to the fruits to make 
the variety desirable in every collection of 
good pears. The trees are vigorous and 
healthy and form open, wide-spreading heads 
that commend them for orchard management. 
They grow with rapidity and vigor, come in 
bearing early, and are unusually fruitful. The 
variety is seldom planted in commercial or- 
chards, but it has a welcome place in every 
home orchard fortunate enough to have it. 
This pear was raised about 1870, by Lemuel 
Clapp, Dorchester, Massachusetts. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright becoming very spreading, 
witli open top, hardy ; trunk thiclt, shaggy ; branches 
stocliy. shaggy, zigzag, dull reddish-brown, marlced with 
many small lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% inches 
wide, o^■ate, stitT ; apex taper-pointed ; margin tipped 
■with very fine, sliarp-pointed, reddish-brown glands, 
finely serrate ; petiole 1 1^ inches long, slender, glabrous. 
Flowers cup-shaped, often with a disagreeable odor, 1 
inch wide, averaging 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in 
October; medium in size, more than 2 inches long, 2% 
inches wide, variable in size ; roundish or obovate, ir- 
regular in shape, stem % inch long, thick ; cavity 
variable, often with a fieshy fold drawn up around tlie 
base of the stem ; calyx open ; lobes short, broad, obtuse ; 
basin deep, wide, abrupt, usually smootii, sj-mmetrical ; 
skin thin, tender, smooth ; color lemon-yellow, often 
marked with flecks and mottlings of russet ; dots nu- 
merous, small, russet, obscure ; flesh with a tinge of 
yellow, fine, tender, melting, characteristically juicy, 
sweet, with a rich sprightliness ; quality very good ; core 
closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube very 
short, wide, broadly conical ; carpels obovate ; seeds 
large, wide, long, plump, acute. 



GANSEL SECKEL. There are no good 
reasons why this pear should be grown, it 
having received much more attention than it 
deserves during the half century it has been 
in .\merica. It suffices to say that the fruits 
and trees are in no way equal to those of 
Seckel. While the pears are larger than those 
of Seckel, the yield is not as great, as the 
trees do not bear as regularly, nor as abund- 
antly; the crop ripens a little later. The fruits 
are not as well flavored, nor as attractively 
colored. The variety is still offered by many 
nurserymen, most of whom, however, condemn 
it with faint praise. Gansel Seckel was raised 
from seed a century ago by a Mr. Williams, 
Worcester, England. 

Tree upright-spreading, variable in yield ; branches 
slender, zigzag, sprinkled with numerous lenticels. Leaves 
2 % inches long, 1 Vz inches wide ; apex taper-pointed ; 
margin tipped with few reddish glands, coarsely serrate ; 
petiole IVi inches long. Flowers open early, i^ inches 
across. Fruit ripens in late October and November ; 
small to medium, irregular, oblate-pyriform ; stem % 
inch long, stout ; cavity variable in width, shallow, 
irregular ; calyx small, closed ; lobes erect, acute ; basin 
variable in widths deep ; skin roughened with russet, 
uneven ; color pale yellow, largely overspread with thin 
cinnamon-russet, sometimes faintly blushed on the ex- 
posed cheek ; dots distinct, cinnamon-russet ; flesh 
yellowish-white, coarse, melting, buttery, juicy, highly 
aromatic, with a rich perfume, sweet ; quality very good. 

CAREER. Garhers Hybrid. A few trivial 
differences separate Garber from Kieffer. The 
pears ripen a week or two earlier than those of 
Kieffer, are a little rounder, flatter at the ends, 
and some say are a little better in quality — 
certainly they are no worse to eat out of 
hand. The tree is hardy to heat and cold, and 
is much planted in the Mississippi Valley, 
North and South. The variety might be spar- 
ingly planted as an ornamental. Garber is 
one of many seedlings of the Chinese Sand 
pear, raised by J. B. Garber, Columbia, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, productive 
with age ; branches smooth, zigzag, reddish-brown. 
Leaves 3^ inches long, 2^ inches wide, thick; apex 
taper-pointed ; margin witli very minute and reddish 
tips, finely serrate; petiole 2^ inches long, thick. Fruit 
ripe September-October ; large, usually roundish-oblong 
and tapering toward both ends ; stem 1 inch long, stout, 
obliquely set ; cavity small, narrow, often deep and 
furrowed ; calyx variable in size, partly open ; lobes 
slender ; basin broad, abrupt, deep, furrowed ; color 
pale yellow, often with a brownish-red blush on the 
exposed cheek ; dots small, numerous, russet ; flesh white, 
granular, crisp but tender, juicy, neither sweet nor 
sour but with a peculiar pleasant flavor ; quality in- 
ferior. 

GIFFORD: See Beurre Gifford. 

GLOU MORCEAU. This old winter pear 
is nearly lost to cultivation, but is worth 
growing because of the high quality of the 
fruit, and because the pears come in season 
in early winter when there are few others. 
The fruits are not attractively colored, but are 
rich and sugarj- without the least trace of acid, 
though when poorly grown are often astrin- 
gent. The quality is better in fruits from 
dwarf trees, and is better, also, when grown 
on heavy soils than on light ones. The fruits 
keep and ship remarkably well. The trees are 



GUYOT 



HOWELL 



neither very large nor vigorous, but are usually 
productive. The variety is m disrepute in many 
localities because the crop does not always 
ripen well. M. Hardenpont, a pioneer pear- 
breeder, raised this pear from seed about 1750 
at Mons, Belgium. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, dense-topped, rapid-growing, 
productive ; trunk stocky ; branches thick, reddish- 
brown, marked with numerous, large lenticels. Leaves 
2% inches long, 1% inches wide, thick, leathery; apex 
taper-pointed ; margin occasionally with very few, small 
glands, coarsely or finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long, 
thick, glabrous, greenish. Flowers late, sliowy, 1^ 
inches across, in dense clusters, 8 to 11 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit matures November-December ; large, 3 % 
inches long, 2% inches wide, obovate-obtuse-pyrifonn, 
irregular, sides unequal, somewhat ribbed ; stem % inch 
long, thick and woody, curved ; cavity deep, narrow, 
russeted, deeply furrowed, compressed, lipped ; calyx 
open ; lobes long, narrow, acute ; basin deep, smooth, 
broadly furrowed ; skin tender, very gritty, dull, rough- 
ened by russet ; color pale greenish -yellow, with patches 
and mottlings of light russet ; dots numerous, small, con- 
spicuous, light russet ; flesh tinged with yellow, fine- 
grained except near the core and under the skin, tender, 
buttery, sweet, with a rich, pleasant, aromatic flavor, 
mingled with astringency near the skin ; quality good 
to very good ; core closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; 
calyx-tube short, broad, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, 
plump, acute. 

GUYOT. Doctor Jules Guyot. The fruits 
of Guj^ot bear strong resemblance to those of 
Bartlett, but differ in being larger, rather more 
handsomely colored, ripen a little earlier, have 
coarser flesh, and are very differently flavored. 
The product can seldom compete with that 
of Bartlett, or even with that of Clapp Favor- 
ite with which it ripens, because its season 
is exceedingly transitory. Unless picked quite 
green and ripened indoors, the pears rot at 
the center, and even when ripened under the 
best conditions quickly become mealy and 
insipid. Taken at the proper moment, the 
pears are better flavored than those of Bart- 
lett; they are richer and have a more delicate 
taste and perfume than the musky fruits of 
Bartlett. The trees are quite as satisfactory 
as those of Bartlett, unless, possibly, they fall 
short somewhat in productiveness. The va- 
riety is well worth planting in collections for 
its early, handsome, well-flavored fruits. Guyot 
was raised in the nurseries of the Baltet Broth- 
ers, Troyes, France, about 1870. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, hardy, pro- 
ductive, a regular bearer ; trunk and branches brownish, 
marked by roundish, small, indistinct lenticels. Leaves 
2% inches long, 1% inches wide; apex taper-pointed; 
margin glandular, variable in serration ; petiole 2 inches 
long, thick, reddish-green. Flowers open late, showy, 
1% inches across, in dense clusters, from 5 to 8 buds in 
a cluster. Fruit ripens in early September ; very large, 
3 y^ inches long, 2 % inches wide, oblong-obtuse-pyri- 
form, irregular, with unequal sides ; stem 1 ^ inches 
long, thick, cun'ed ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, 
slightly russeted, drawn up on one side of the stem in 
a prominent lip ; calyx large, open ; lobes separated at 
the base, short, broad, acute ; basin shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, furrowed ; skin very thin, tender, roughish ; color 
yellow, more or less mottled and with traces of russet, 
with a pinkish-red blush on the exposed cheek ; dots 
numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish- 
white, granular, tender, moderately juicy, sweet mingled 
with sprightliness ; quality good ; core closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
eeeds large, long, plump, acute. 



HOWELL. Fig. 84. Howell's Seedling. 
Howell is everywhere condemned with faint 
praise. After having said that the trees are 
not above the average in vigor, healthfulness, 
hardiness, and fruitfulness, it remains only to 




HARDY. See Beurre Hardy. 



84. Howell. (XV2) 

be said that their spreading tops make them 
desirable orchard inhabitants and handsome 
dooryard ornamentals. The fruits cannot be 
praised for attractive appearance or good 
quality, but they are meritorious in that they 
are more often uniform in appearance, quality, 
and freedom from the ravages of the scab 
fungus than those of almost any other pear. 
These qualities make Howell an estimable 
variety for the home orchard where intensive 
care cannot be given. The trees bear early, 
annuall}', and abundantly. Howell seems to 
be better suited to the middle western states 
than to the eastern states. About 1830, 
Thomas Howell, New Haven, Connecticut, 
planted pear seeds in his garden; one of the 
trees resulting from these seeds was named 
Howell. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped ; trunk 
thick ; branches stocky, reddish-brown, witlx few small 
lenticels. Leaves 2 inches long, 1^4 inches wide, oval, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin finely serrate, 
hairy, tipped with very minute glands ; petiole 1^ 
inches long. Flowers open early, 1% inclies across, in 
dense clusters, from 7 to 15 buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripe in late September-October; medium in size, 2% 
inches long, 2^/4 inches wide, uniform in size and shape, 
round-obovate, symmetrical ; stem 1 inch long, thick, 
straight ; cavity obtuse, very shallow and narrow, often 
with almost no -cavity, smooth, symmetrical ; calyx open, 
small ; lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, obtuse ; 
basin obtuse, but i slightly furrowed, nearly sjmmetrical ; 
skin smooth, dull ; color pale lemon-yellow marked on 
the side exposed to the sun with a trace of blush and 
with patches and tracings of russet ; dots many, small, 
russet, very conspicuous ; flesh yellowish-white, firm but 
tender, granular, melting, very juicy, sweet, with a rich, 
somewhat brisk, almost vinous flavor, aromatic ; quality 
very good ; core rather large, closed, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds long, plump, 
acute, frequently abortive. 



IDAHO 



KIEFFER 



IDAHO. There is much difference of opin- 
ion as to the value of Idaho. Without ques- 
tion, the variety is of considerable worth in 
parts of the Pacific Northwest, especially in 
regions where hardihood is a prune requi- 
site. In the East, the pears are only medium 
in size, but they are attractive in color and 
of excellent taste. The core is small, and the 
seeds are often abortive and sometimes want- 
ing. The flesh is tender, buttery and almost 
free from granulation, with a rich, sweet, 
vinous flavor which make the rating for this 
fruit "good to very good." In many regions, 
the pears are large, rough and gross — some- 
times a facsimile of Duchesse d'Angouleme. 
The trees are rather dwarf and are fruitful to 
a fault, so that the pears often run small; 
they are hardier than those of almost any 
other pear and bear annually. To offset these 
good characters, the trees have the fault of 
blighting, so that the variety is of value only 
in regions where blight is not an annual scourge 
of this fruit. Idaho was raised from seed of 
an unknown variety about the year 1867 by 
a Mrs. Mulkey, Lewiston, Idaho. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, hard.v, very produc- 
tive ; brandies slender, smooth, reddish-ljrown, sprinkled 
with many small lenticels. Leaves 3% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed ; niari^m 
glandular, finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long. Flowers 
showy, 11^ inches across, in dense clusters, nearly in 
racemes, average 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures late 
September-October; medium in size, 2 inches long, 2% 
inches wide, roundish, slightly pyriform, symmetrical ; 
stem 1 inch long, thick, slightly cuned ; cavity acute, 
narrow, furrowed, slightly lipped ; calyx closed ; lobes 
broad, acute; basin shallow, obtuse, "somewhat furrowed; 
skin thick and granular, tough, roughish ; color dull 
lemon-yellow, tinged with green, dotted and streaked 
with russet, splashed with russet patches ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, conspicuous ; tlesh dull white, tinged with 
yellow, firm, tender, buttery, juicy, sweet, rich, almost 
vinous ; quality good to very good ; core closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds wide, acute. 

JARGONELLE. At one time the best sec- 
ond early pear. Jargonelle is now little grown 
in America, native varieties having crowded 
it out. The crop ripens two or three weeks 
before that of Bartlett. The fruits are as 
attractive as any of their season, and are 
unique in shape and in having a long curved 
stem. The quality leaves much to be desired. 
The flesh is coarse, rather gritty, and the flavor 
lacks the rich sugary taste on the one hand, 
or the refreshing piquancy on the other hand, 
of good pears. The fruits rot at the core', 
and the season is short. The crop should be 
picked early and ripened in the house. The 
trees are large, vigorous and sometimes very 
productive, but are coarse, untidy bearers, and 
are often uncertain in bearing. Jargonelle is 
one of the oldest of all varieties, according to 
some, dating back to before the time of Christ. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, rapid- 
growing, hardy, very productive, long-lived ; trunk 
shaggy ; branches reddish-brown, with large lenticels. 
Leaves 2 hi inches long, 2 inches wide, leathery; apex 
taper-pointed ; margin tipped with few small, black 
glands, finely serrate ; petiole 3 inches long, slender, 
tinged with red, glabrous. Flowers late, showy, 1^ 
inches across, in dense clusters, from 8 to 14 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit ripe in late August ; above medium in 



size, 3 % inches long, 2 %6 inches wide, oblong-ovate- 
pyriform. with an acute neck ; stem characteristically 
long and cun'cd, 1 % inches long ; cavity lacking, the 
fiesh holding up around the base of the stem, russeted, 
lipped ; calyx open ; lobes separated at the base, long, 
broad, acute ; basin very shallow and narrow, obtuse, 
gently furrowed, compiessed ; skin smooth ; color yello\v, 
witti a bright reddish-pink blush laid thinly over the 
exposed cheek in streaks and splashes, when poorly 
grown without blush ; dots numerous, greenish-russet, 
very small, obscure ; flesh yellowish-white, granular under 
the skin, gritty at the center, melting, very juicy, 
subacid, aromatic, vinous ; quality very good ; core 
large, open, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, 
narrow, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

JOSe'pHINE DE MALINES. Fig. 85. 
Malines. This is one of the few good winter 
pears. Its fruit-characters are so distinctive 
and meritorious that the variety should be 
grown in every home orchard. The fruits have 
a marked peculiarity; cut through the shaded 
yellow-russet skin, 
flesh with a faint, rosy 
tint is displayed. But 
it is the quality of the 
fruits that commends 
the variety most. The 
flesh is buttery, juicy, 
sweet, and perfumed — 
pleasing in every char- 
acter that gratifies the 
palate. The season is 
exceedingly variable, 
being given variously 
by pomologists from 
December to March 
and January to May. 
In the orchard, the 
trees are satisfactory, 
but nurserymen find 
them difficult to grow ; 
this, no doubt, is the chief reason for the neg- 
lect of this excellent pear. The trees thrive in 
almost any soil or situation suitable to pears, 
and are fruitful, hardy, and resistant to blight. 
The variety deserves wider recognition than 
it now receives. This pear originated about 
1830 in the seed-beds of Major Esperen, the 
well-known pomologist of Mechlin, Belgium. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, tall, dense-topped, 
rapid-growing, hardy, very productive ; trunk stocky ; 
branches thick, shaggy, reddish-brown, marked with 
few lenticels. Leaves iVt inches long, 1^ inches wide, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin finely serrate ; 
petiole 1% inches long. Flowers early, 1% inches 
across, white, occasionally tinged with pink, well dis- 
tributed, average 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe 
December-February ; metlium in size, turbinate, inclined 
to truncate ; stem long, very tliick ; cavity obtuse, 
shallow, narrow, slightly furrowed ; calyx large, open ; 
lobes short, broad, obtuse ; basin narrow, obtuse, smooth ; 
skin thick, tough, dull ; color pale greenish-yellow, 
netted and patched more or less with russet ; dots nu- 
merous, small, brown or russet, conspicuous ; flesh 
pinkish-white, firm, granular, melting, buttery, very 
juicy, sweet, slightly aromatic ; quality good ; core 
large, closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
sliort, wide ; carpels pyrifomi ; seeds large, wide, long, 
plump, acuminate. 

KIEFFER. Fig. 86. Although the most 
pretentious cheat in the orchard, Kieffer is 
grown more commonly than any other pear in 
North America excepting Bartlett. Its great 
popularity can be accounted for only by ac- 
cepting Barnum's dictum that "Americans love 




85. Josephine de 
Malines. {XV2) 



92 



KIEFFER 



KOONCE 



to be fooled." There are several reasons why 
Kieffer is widely planted. No pear has been 
advertised so widely and so unqualifiedly, grow- 
ers of trees often supplying virtues to the va- 
riety which Nature denies it. Nurserymen like 
it because of all pears the trees of Kieffer are 
most easily grown ; and in the orchard they are 
uniformly the most vigorous, fruitful, endure 
heat best, are least susceptible to blight, and 




86. KieSer. (XVz) 

withstand best the ravages of San Jose scale. 
On the other hand, the trees are tender to cold, 
in some soils refuse to set fruit, are often self- 
sterile, and sometimes with the best of care 
bear only pears of small size. Worthless for 
dessert, much can be said for the fruits of 
Kieffer for culinary preparation. Cooking re- 
moves the disagreeable natural taste of the raw 
pear, and leaves a good product. Canned, the 
pears retain their shape, color, and flavor well; 
therefore, and because of white and inviting 
flesh, Kieffers are preferred by commercial 
canners. Now that the first flush of popularity 
is past, it would seem a wise precaution on 
the part of pear-growers to grow this fruit 
chiefly for the cannery, supplying the demands 
for dessert pears with worthier varieties. Peter 
Kieffer, who lived near Philadelphia, grew 
Chinese Sand pears as ornamentals. In his 
garden there were also trees of Bartlett. Among 
chance seedlings, Kieffer obsen-ed one of pecu- 
liar growth which he saved. Probably it was a 
hybrid between the pears named. This bore 
fruit for the first time in 1863 and was the 
original Kieffer tree. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, 
hardy, verj* productive ; branches slender, nearly smooth, 
reddish-brown, marked with few small lenticels. Leaves 
3% inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, thick, leathery; 
apex taper-pointed ; margin often finely serrate ; petiole 
1% inches long. Flowers open early, 1% inches across, 
fairly well distributed, varying from 3 to 11 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit matures in late October and November ; 
above medium to large, 2% inches long, 2^ inches wide, 
oval, narrowing at both ends, symmetrical, uniform ; 



stem 1 inch long, thick ; cavity very small, smooth ; 
calyx open ; lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, 
acute ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, nearly smooth ; 
skin thick, tough, smooth ; color yellow, occasionally 
blushed with dull pinkisli-red on the exposed cheek ; 
dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; tlesh yellowish- 
white, very granular and coarse, crisp, juicy ; not sweet, 
often astringent ; quality poor ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds 
wide, plump, acute. 

KINGSESSING. A summing up of the 
characters of Kingsessing makes it appear a 
most desirable sort. Nevertheless, its culture 
does not make headway. Growers rate it as a 
"good pear," but will not grow it, for the 
reason that it has no outstanding characters 
for any region, season or purpose. The pears 
are a little under size for a good commercial 
fruit, and while the sweet, perfumed flavor is 
pleasant it lacks individuality. The variety is 
grown chiefly along the Atlantic Coast from 
Long Island to Maryland. This is a natural 
seedling which sprang up in the family burial 
ground of Isaac Leech, Kingsessing, Pennsyl- 
vania, about 1833. 

Tree very large and vigorous, upright-spreading, 
densG-topped, rapid-growing, hardy ; trunk very thick ; 
branches very stocky, grayish-brown, sprinkled with 
numerous large lenticels. Leaves 2H inches long, 1% 
inches wide ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin glandular, 
finely serrate; petiole l\ inches long. Fruit ripens 
in September and October; medium in size, 2% inches 
long, i% inches wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform ; stem ^ 
inch long, thick, usually curved, fleshy at the point of 
insertion in the flesh ; cavity obtuse, shallow, slightly 
furrowed, occasionally lipped ; calyx partly open ; lobes 
separated at the base, short, narrow, acute ; basin shal- 
low, gently furrowed, usually symmetrical ; skin granular, 
tender, roughish ; color dull yellow, sprinkled and netted 
with russet, a thin brownish-red blush spreading over the 
exposed cheek ; dots numerous, grayish or russet, small, 
conspicuous ; flesh white, granular, tender and melting, 
sweet, aromatic ; quality good ; core closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds wide, 
long, plump, acute. 

KOONCE. Koonce is a popular early va- 
riety grown rather commonly in nearly every 
pear region in the United States. The trees 
make a good showing in the nursery and are 
hardy and productive in the orchard, although 
of but medium size and rather straggling at 
maturity. The pears are better in quality than 
those of Early Harvest or Lawson, with which 
it often competes, but are hardly as attrac- 
tive m appearance, as they are small and often 
irregular in shape. The color is unusually 
bright, especially on the red cheek. The pears 
decay quickly after maturity and are suitable 
only for home and local markets. This pear 
originated in southern Illinois, but by whom or 
at what time does not appear. The variety has 
been grown for more than thirty years. 

Tree upright-spreading, scraggly, open-topped, hardy, 
productive ; trunk shaggy ; branches zigzag, dark 
brownish-red, with few lenticels. Leaves 21/2 inches 
long, 1*^ inches wide, stiff; apex taper-pointed; margin 
glandular, finely serrate; petiole l^^ inches long. 
Flowers showy, l^^ inches across, in dense clusters, 
average 5 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens in August ; 
medium in size. 2 "4 inches long, 2% inches wide, 
obovate-obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides; stem 1% 
inches long, thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, com- 
pressed, lipped or often drawn up in a wrinkled fold 
about the base of the stem ; calyx open ; lobes separated 
at the base, narrow, acuminate ; basin obtuse, gently 
furrowed ; skin thick, tough, roughish ; color pale 



LAMY 



LAWSON 



93 



greenish -yellow with a dull reddish-brown blush spread 
ing over the exposed cheek ; dots numerous, very small, 
greenish-russet, conspicuous ; flesh whitish, granular eS' 
pecially at the center, medium tender, juicy, aromatic, 
sweet but vinous; quality good; core small, closed, wit! 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical 
seeds small, narrow, short, plump, acute. 



LAMY. This is an old European pear which 
had its probationary period in America many 
years ago, and which never got out of the 
hmbo of nurserymen's catalogs and collections. 
On the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station, however, the pears are 
so handsome and so delectable in quality that 
the variety seems quite worth growing. It is 
a good sort for the home orchard, but the 
tree is not large enough nor robust enough 
for a commercial plantation. A few nursery- 
men still list it. This variety was raised from 
seed about 1828 by M. Bouvier, Jodoigne, 
Belgium. 

Tree inferior in size, spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
productive ; trunk slender, shaggy ; branches slender, 
shaggy, dull brown, sprinkled with numerous lenticels. 
Leaves 2 % inches long, 1 % inches wide, leathery ; apei 
taper-pointed ; margin finely serrate, tipped with few 
minute glands; petiole 1% inches long, pinkish. Flowers 
late, very showy, 1 % inches across, in dense clusters, 
average 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in late 
October and early November; 2% inches long, 2 inches 
wide, obo^ate-obtuse-pyriform, often irregular and with 
unequal sides ; stem 1^ inches long, thick ; cavity 
almost lacking, very shallow, narrow, russeted, often 
lipped ; calyx open ; lobes broad, acute ; basin deep, 
obtuse, gently furrowed, compressed ; skin thin, smooth 
except for the russet dots, dull ; color pale yellow, with 
a dark red blush on the cheek ; dots numerous, large, 
brownish-russet, very conspicuous ; flesh tinged with 
yellow, granular at the center, tender and melting, 
buttery, juicy, sweet, with a faint, vinous flavor, pleas- 
antly aromatic ; quality good to very good ; core large, 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, very 
wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, plump, acute. 

LAWRENCE. Fig. 87. There is a great 
diversity of opinion as to the value of Law- 
rence for a marliet pear, but no one denies it 




87. Lawrence. (X%) 

a place as one of the very best early winter 
pears for the home orchard. The tree is hardy, 
moderately vigorous and fruitful, am early, 
annual, and uniform bearer, and has the repu- 



tation of being one of the longest lived of all 
pear-trees. The fruits are of but medium 
size, but are trim in contour and distinctive in 
shape because of the rounded, truncate stem 
end; and in color are a bright clean lemon- 
yellow, marked with patches of russet and 
faintly blushed on the side to the sun. No 
yellow pear is more attractive. The fruits come 
in season in early winter and have the excel- 
lent character of keeping well under ordinary 
care for a full month or longer. The melting 
flesh abounds with a rich, sugary, perfumed 
juice, by virtue of which it is justly esteemed 
as the best flavored pear of its season. Law- 
rence is a chance seedling, a native of Flush- 
ing, Long Island, and was introduced in 1843. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, with drooping brandies, very- 
hardy, productive ; trunk shaggy ; branches smooth, 
zigzag, reddish-brown, with numerous large lenticels. 
Leaves 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, leathery; 
margin finely serrate ; petiole 1 % inches long, slender ; 
stipules rudimentary. Flowers open early, 1% inches 
across, in rather dense clusters, from 8 to 12 buds in 
a cluster. Fruit ripe November-December; 2% inches 
long, 2% inches wide, uniform in size and shape, 
obovate-obtuse-pyriform, often with sides unequal ; stem 
1 inch long, thick, cun'ed ; cavity small, obtuse, shallow, 
narrow, russeted. furrowed and irregular, often lipped ; 
calyx large, partly open ; lobes separated at the base, 
long, broad, acute ; basin wide, obtuse, furrowed and 
sometimes corrugated ; skin thick and granular, tough, 
roughish ; color lemon-yellow, marked with occasional 
patches of russet and with a faint russet-red blush on 
the exposed cheek ; dots numerous, small, russet, incon- 
spicuous ; flesli yellowish-white, tirm, granular, tender 
and melting when fully mature, juicy, rich, sweet ; 
quality very good ; core large, closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, 
long, plump, acute. 

LAWSON. Comet. Of all early pears, the 
fruits of Lawson best satisfy the eye for bright 
colors. They are as brightly colored as the 
brilliant Vermont Beauty or as Mount Vernon. 
Another outstanding character is the small core, 
which, though the pears ripen early and quick- 
ly, seldom soften unduly. The pears are often 
nearly or quite seedle.'is. Unfortunately, the 
fruits are often irregular in shape, and in quality 
are mediocre. The tree is fairly healthy, vigor- 
ous, hardy, and free from blight, and is charac- 
terized by its tall, upright growth. Although 
grown for more than a hundred years in the 
East, the variety has never made headway 
hero, but seems to be attracting much attention 
on the Pacific slope. This pear originated on 
the farm of a Mr. Lawson, Ulster County, New 
York, about 1800. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, 
not always hardy, very productive ; branches slender, 
zigzag, reddish-brown, marked with numerous raised, 
large lenticels. Leaves 3^4 inclies long, 1% inches wide ;' 
apex abruptly pointed ; margin glandless. serrate ; 
petiole 2 inches long. Flowers early, showy, H4 inches 
across, in dense clusters, 6 or s buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripens in August; large, 2% inches long, 3H inches 
wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, with unequal sides ; stem 
% inch long, thick, curved, woody ; cavity very small 
and narrow, often witn a lip drawn up around one 
side of the stem ; calyx partly open ; lobes narrow, often 
reflexed ; basin narrow, obtuse, gently furrowed ; skin 
thin, tender, smooth ; color pale yellow overspread on 
the exposed check with a bright, pinkish-red blush ; 
dots numerous, small, greenish or russet, obscure ; flesh 
whitish or often salmon-color, firm, tough, medium 
juicy, lacking sweetness; quality poor; core unusually 
small, closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, 
wide ; seeds short, wide, plump, obtuse, few in number. 



94 



LE CONTE 



LINCOLN 



LE CONTE. Fig. 88. Le Conte is a hybrid 
between the Qiinese Sand pear and a Euro- 
pean sort, therefore of the same parentage as 
Kieffer which it greatly resembles in both tree 
and fruit. The fruits are rather poorer in 
quality than those of Kieffer, if that be pos- 
sible for an edible fruit, and the tree is in no 
■way superior to that of its better-known rival, 
but seems to succeed better in warm climates 
and light soils. There is, therefore, a place 
for Le Conte in the South, if a pear is wanted 
for culinary purposes only. The fruits some- 




Le Conte. {XV2) 



times rot badly at the core, and should usu- 
ally be harvested as soon as they attain full 
size. The trees are more susceptible to blight 
than those of Kieffer. In the South, the trees 
are often if not usually propagated from cut- 
tings. Le Conte is supposed to have originated 
near Philadephia about 1850. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, slow-growing, 
verj* productive, a regular bearer ; branches strongly 
zigzag, brownish-red mingled with green and nearly 
covered with scarf-skin. Leaves 3 Vi inches long, 1 V2 
inches wide, ovate or oval, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; 
margin finely serrate ; petiole pale green, glabrous. 
Flowers open very early, 1 Yi inches across, in dense 
clusters, 7 to 10 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe late 
October-November; large, SVie inches long, 2% 
inches wide, round-oval, tapering at both ends, ribbed, 
symmetrical; stem l^^ inches long, very thick, often 
curved ; cavity obtuse, very shallow and narrow, smooth, 
slightly furrowed and wrinkled, often compressed ; calyx 
partly open ; lobes usually dehiscent, separated at the 
base, short, narrow, acute ; basin usually very deep, 
abrupt, gently furrowed ; skin thick, tough, smooth or 
sometimes roughened, dull ; color pale yellow, occasion- 
ally marked with russet ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
conspicuous ; flesh white, firm, rather granular and 
stringy, tender, juicy, sweet, with a strong and dis- 
agreeable flavor : quality poor ; core very large, closed, 
axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
broadly conical ; seeds large, average 2 in each carpel, 
wide, long, very plump, acute. 

LE LECTIER. In size and beauty of fruit, 
Le Lectier surpasses most of its associates, and 
the quality is first rate in soils and climates 
to which the variety is suited. Unfortunately 
the tree is capricious to both soils and climates 
and is seldom at home on this side of the At- 
lantic. The season is December and January, 
when good pears are scarce, and it would seem 



that the fine, large fruits of this pear would be 
most acceptable for either home or market if 
it could be made to thrive. In Europe, it 
grows best on warm rich soils. Auguste 
Lesueur, Orleans, France, obtained this late 
winter pear about 1882 as a cross between 
Bartlett and Fortunee. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, 
sometimes unsymmetrical, very productive ; trunk and 
branches medium in thickness and smoothness. Leaves 
2% inches long, li^ inches wide, thick; apex taper- 
pointed ; margin glandular, finely serrate ; petiole 2 ^ 
inches long, slender. Flowers showy, 1 y^ inches across, 
8 or 10 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens December- 
January ; large, elongated-obovate-pyriform, often with 
a narrow neck ; stem slender, rather short, enlarged at 
both ends, inserted obliquely ; cavity irregular, often 
lipped ; . calyx variable in size, partly open ; basin 
variable in size, abrupt, irregular ; skin glossy, thin, 
with uneven surface ; color greenish-yellow becoming 
yellower at full maturity, mottled and faintly blushed 
on the exposed cheek with yellowish-bronze ; dots in- 
con.spicuous, small ; flesh white, fine-grained, melting, 
juicy, sweet, pleasantly aromatic ; quality very good. 

LEON LECLERC. This variety is popu- 
lar in Europe, but its reputation there is not 
sustained here, although it fills a particular 
niche in the pear season, the crop coming in 
season between late fall and early winter at a 
time when there are few other good varieties. 
Were it not for a serious fault, the variety 
might take high rank in America. After 
Flemish Beauty, no other variety suffers as 
much in fruit and foliage from scab. Well 
grown in a congenial environment, the pears 
are often as large as those of Duchesse d'An- 
gouleme, with which they compare closely in 
shape. On well-grown specimens, also, the 
color is rich and beautiful. The flavor is 
sprightly and refreshing, which, with good flesh- 
characters, give the variety high rank for qual- 
ity. There are no remarkable characters in 
the trees to recommend them. The variety is 
suitable only for collections. This pear origi- 
nated with Leon Leclerc, Laval, France, about 
1825. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, 
slow -growing. productive ; trunk shaggy ; branches 
roughish, reddish-brown, with numerous large lenticels. 
Leaves 314 inches long, 1^ inches wide, leathery; apex 
taper-pointed; margin glandless, entire; petiole 1^ 
inches long, glabrous, reddish-green. Flowers showy, 
1% inches across, in dense clusters, nearly a raceme, 
7 or 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens in late September 
and October; large, 2^A inches long, 3% inches wide, 
oblong-pyriform, tapering to a very long, narrow neck ; 
stem 1 inch long, thick, curved ; cavity very small, 
compressed, usually lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes 
separated at the base, broad, acute ; basin shallow, 
narrow, obtuse, symmetrical ; skin thick, tough, rough- 
ened by russet specks ; color dull yellow, covered with 
dots and tracings of russet and occasionally with a 
faint russet-red blush ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
conspicuous ; flesh granular under the skin, nearly melt- 
ing, juicy, subacid or with a peculiar sprightliness ; 
quality good ; core large, closed, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical ; seeds large, 
wide, long, acute. 

LINCOLN. Nearly a hundred years old 
without having received favorable mention 
from pear-growers, Lincoln has been brought 
from the limbo of lost fruits in recent years 
to take high rank in the list of pears for the 
Mississippi Valley. The variety is spoken of 
in such superlative terms for that region that 




Plate IV. — Montmorency Cherry. 



LINCOLN CORELESS 



LUCY DUKE 



95 



it would seem that men give it attributes which 
Nature denies it. The fruits are but mediocre 
in appearance and quality, falling below a 
dozen other varieties of its season whether 
judged by the eye or the palate. At their best, 
they are comparable to those of Bartlett, which 
the western admirers of the variety say it re- 
sembles. Lincoln seems to possess a constitu- 
tion to withstand cold, heat, and blight to 
which most pears are subject. The variety is 
valuable only m the Mitldle West. This pear 
owes its origin to a seedling grown in the spring 
of 1S35 by Mrs. Maria Fleming, Corwin, Il- 
linois. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
rapid-growing, hardy, very productive ; trunk stocky, 
smooth ; branches medium in thickness and smoothness, 
zigzag, greenish -brown, marked especially on the younger 
wood with very numerous, large, roundish, conspicuous 
lenticels. Leaves 3^^ inches long, 1^ inches wide, 
stiff ; apex variable ; margin glandless, finely serrate ; 
petiole 2 % inches long, glabrous, tinged with red ; 
stipules very long and slender, pinkish. Flowers 1% 
inches across, well distributed, average 5 buds in a 
cluster. Fruit matures in late August and September ; 
about 2% inches in length and width, roundish, with 
an obtuse neck, tapering very slightly; stem 1^ inches 
long, slender ; cavity almost lacking, a slight, narrow 
depression, occasionally slightly lipped ; calyx large, 
open ; lobes separated at the base, long, acuminate ; 
basin shallow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; skin thick, 
tender, rough ; color dull greenish-yellow sprinkled with 
few russet lines and nettings ; dots numerous, small, 
russet, conspicuous ; flesh tinged with yellow, firm, 
coarse and granular especially near the core, tender, 
very juicy, sweet, aromatic, pleasing but not richly 
flavored ; quality good ; core unusually large, closed, 
with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds large, very wide, long, plump, acuminate. 

LINCOLN CORELESS. The product of 
Lincoln Coreless is worthless for dessert, and 
but a coarse makeshift for culinary purposes. 
The variety receives attention only because 
the pear is a monstrosity and a curiosity. The 
fruits are enormous in size, outweighing all 
other pears unless it be those of the Pound. 
They are unique in having a very small core 
and few or sometimes no seeds. They are fur- 
ther characterized by very late maturity, ripen- 
ing later than any other pear and keeping until 
April. While usually rather dull greenish- 
yellow in color, the cheek is often enlivened 
by a bright blush which makes the fruits 
attractive despite their grossness. The catalogs 
describe the trees as "blight proof," but they 
blight. Lincoln Coreless originated in Lincoln 
County, Tennessee, about 1830. 

Tree medium to small, vigorous, upright, very dense, 
pyramidal, hardy, an uncertain bearer ; trunk shaggy ; 
branches smooth, zigzag, reddish -brown, marked with 
email lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% inches wide, 
elongated-oval, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
finely serrate; petiole l^ inches long, reddish; stipules 
very long. Flowers 1% inches across, very large and 
showy, average six buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in 
February; very large, 5^/4 inches long, 3 inches wide, 
uniform in size, obovate-acute-pyriform, somewhat ribbed, 
with unequal sides; stem 1% inches long, thick, curved; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, furrowed, often 
lipped ; calyx open, large ; lobes separated at the base, 
narrow, acute ; basin very shallow, narrow, obtuse, fur- 
rowed ; skin very thick, tough, coarse and granular, 
smooth, dull ; color greenish-yellow, with a handsome 
pinkish-red blush on the cheek exposed to the sun ; 
dots many, brownish-russet, very conspicuous"; flesh 
yellowish- white, very firm, granular at the core, crisp, 
tough, medium juicy, rather bitter and astringent ; 



quality poor ; core closed, with clasping core-lines ; 
calyx-tube long, wide, conical ; seeds few, narrow, often 
aborti\e, acute, 

LOUISE BONNE DE JERSEY. Louise. 
Now known in America as Louise, this variety 
is described here under the name used in 
English and American pomologies to distin- 
guish it from at least eight other varieties 
having Louise as the whole or a part of the 
name. The variety has many excellent quali- 
ties of fruit and tree, which, however, are not 
sufficiently above the average to give it high 
place in the list of pears for the market. The 
fruits are medium to large, handsome, of ex- 
cellent quality and keep and ship well. The 
trees are precariously hardy and somewhat sub- 
ject to blight, but verj- vigorous, productive, 
and long-lived. In Europe, the fruits are bet- 
ter and the trees more productive when worked 
on the quince, and in America the variety is 
considered one of the best for dwarfing. This 
pear is a standard one for home collections, 
and finds favor in many commercial orchards. 
The parent tree of this pear was raised 
from seed about 1780 by M. de Longueval, 
Avranches, Normandy. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, very t.ill, dense-topped, 
hardy, productive, long-lived ; trunlc stocky ; branches 
slightly zigzag, reddish-brown, with numerous raised 
lenticels. Leaves 3^4 inches long, 1% inches wide, 
niueli curled under at the margin, oval, leathery ; apex 
slightly taper-pointed ; margin glandless. finely serrate ; 
petiole 1^ inches long, slender. Flowers with a dis- 
agreeable odor, 1 Va inches across, white or sometimes 
faintly tinged with pink along the edge of the petals, 
averaging G buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in Oc- 
tober ; medium to large, often 2 % inches long, 2 ^ 
inches wide, oblong-pyriform, somewhat irregular, stem 
1 inch long, slender, usually cun'ed ; cavity obtuse, 
shallow, narrow, furrowed and wrinkled, often lipped, 
the flesh folded up around the stem ; calyx open, large ; 
lobes broad, acute ; basin obtuse, furrowed and uneven ; 
skin granular, smooth ; color pale yellow, marked on 
the exposed cheek with a dull pinkish-red blush and 
with streaks of russet ; dots numerous, small, grayish 
or russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish-white, tender and 
melting, very juicy ; sweet, aromatic, rich ; quality very 
good ; core closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, 
acute. 

LUCRATIVE: See Belle Lucrative. 

LUCY DUKE. Why Lucy Duke is neglect- 
ed is hard to see. The pear has a rich, juicy, 
spicy, melting flesh that makes it one of the 
best. In form, the fruits resemble those of 
Bartlett, which is probably one of the parents; 
they are but medium in size, but are of a 
beautiful golden russet color, which makes 
them as handsome as the handsomest. The 
skin is thick and the pears stand shipping well. 
The variety can be recommended for home 
and local markets, but the trees are unproduc- 
tive and too irregular in bearing for commer- 
cial orchards. The tree is hardy, but only 
moderately vigorous, and resembles Winter 
Nelis, supposed to be the other parent, in 
habit of growth. The variety is relatively free 
from blight. Lucy Duke was grown about 1880 
by Mrs. Lucy Duke of Beaufort County, North 
Carolina, from seed of a Bartlett pear. 

Tree medium to large, variable in vigor, upright be- 
coming slightly spreading, dense-topped, hardy, very 



96 



MADELEINE 



MARIE LOUISE 



productive ; trunk shaggy ; branches thick, zig^g, marked 
by numerous, elongated lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 
1% inches wide, thin; margin occasionally glandular, 
finely serrate or entire; petiole IVz inches long, slender. 
Flowers open late, 1% inches across. Fruit ripens in 
late October and November ; medium in size, oblong- 
pyriform, symmetrical ; stem short, thick, curved ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, often wrinkled 
and occasionally lipped ; calyx large, open, rounded and 
with a deeply set center ; basin obtuse, smooth, sym- 
metrical ; skin very tough, roughened with thick russet 
color greenish-yellow, overspread with dark russet, chang- 
ing to golden russet on the cheek exposed to the 
dots numerous, small, russet, obscure ; flesh yellowish- 
white, fine, melting, rich, juicy, sweet ; quality very 
good ; core large, closed, axile ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
broadly conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

MADELEINE. Madeleine has long been 
a dependable summer variety, the crop of 
which ripens just before that of Bloodgood. 
Many consider it the best very early summer 
pear. The fruits are attractive in appearance, 
and very good in quality; but their season is 
short, their skins are tender, and the flesh 
quickly softens at the core. While the trees 
are productive, they are not resistant to blight, 
do not hold their crop well, are tender to cold, 
and are short-lived. The variety is worth 
planting only for the sake of succession in 
crop, and in large collections of pears. Made- 
leine was cultivated by Le Lectier in his gar- 
den at Orleans in 1628; no other author had 
made previous mention of it. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, hardy, pro- 
ductive ; trunk shaggy ; branches zigzag, light greenish- 
brown. Leaves 3 inches long, IY2 inches wide, thin; 
apex taper-pointed, margin glandless, finely serrate ; 
petiole 1 % inches long, glabrous, reddish-green. Flowers 
showy, 1% inches across, in dense clusters, average 11 
buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens in early August; 2% 
inches long, 2 inches wide, roundish-obtuse-pyriform ; 
stem IVz inches long, thick, cun-ed ; cavity very shallow 
and narrow or lacking, the flesh folded in a lip on one 
side of the stem ; calyx partly open ; lobes separated at 
the base, short, narrow, acuminate ; basin shallow, 
narrow, obtuse, gently furrowed, symmetrical ; skin thin, 
smooth, very tender ; color dull green, occasionally with 
faint dotted brownish blush ; dots numerous, greenish, 
obscure ; flesh slightly tinged yellow, granular at the 
center, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet, vinous ; 
quality good to very good ; core closed, with clasping 
core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds wide, 
short, plump, acuminate. 

MALINES: See Josephine de Malines. 

MARGARET. The fruits of Margaret are 
early and attractive in color and shape, but 
they run small in size, and in neither flesh 
nor flavor can they compete with the product 
of several other varieties of the same season. 
The trees are hardly more desirable than the 
fruits, since they are tender to cold, blight 
badly, and are short-lived, seldom attaining 
full size or large size. Despite these defects 
of fruit and tree, the variety is a one-time 
favorite still rather commonly planted. Better 
summer pears can be found for almost every 
part of the countn,'. In the middle of the 
nineteenth century, Christopher Wiegel, Cleve- 
land, Ohio, planted seeds from one of which 
came this variety. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, drooping, 
open-topped, productive; trunk shaggy; branches me- 
dium in thickness and smoothness, brown mingled with 



much red, marked by numerous lenticels. Leavte 3 
inches long, l^ inches wide, thin; margin tipped with 
few pinkish glands, finely serrate; petiole 1% inches 
long, green ; stipules of medium size. Flowers showy, 
1% inches long, large, in dense clusters, 6 or 8 buds 
in a cluster. Fruit matures in late August and early 
September; medium in size, 3% inches long, 3 inches 
wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform, irregular; stem 1% 
inches long, thick, cuned ; cavity acuminate, deep, 
narrow, russeted, furrowed and compressed, often with 
a pronounced lip ; calyx open, large ; lobes separated 
at the base, broad, acute, reflexed ; basin deep, abrupt, 
furrowed, often compressed ; skin thin, tender, smooth ; 
color dull greenish-yellow, often with a deep but dull 
reddish-brown blush and occasional patches of russet ; 
dots numerous, .small, green or russet, obscure ; flesh 
fine under the skin but granular and gritty near the 
center ; tender, buttery, very juicy, faintly vinous, 
slightly aromatic ; quality good ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines; calyx-tube long, wide, funnel- 
shaped ; seeds large, wide, plump, obtuse or acute. 

MARIE LOUISE. Fig. 89. The fruits of 
Marie Louise are among the perfections of 
Nature, and were the tree more certain in 
bearing and less fastidious as to environment, 
the variety would rank as one of the best of 
all pears. The flesh is tender and melting, very 
juicy, and the flavor is a most delectable 
commingling of re- 
freshing piquancy and 
scented sweetness. In 
shape, the pears re- 
semble a short Beurre 
Bosc, having the same 
trim contour, but the 
color is very different 
— rich yellow, netted 
and sprinkled with 
russet, and sunflecked 
with red on the sunny 
side. The fruits are 
somewhat susceptible 
to the scab fungus, 
and even the mo.st 
careful spraying fails 
to give them a fair 
cheek some seasons. 
The trees are hardy 
but only moderately 
vigorous, somewhat 
susceptible to blight, 
rather uncertain in bearing, and vary much 
from season to season in abundance and qual- 
ity of product. Not at all suited for a com- 
mercial plantation, Marie Louise is one of 
the choicest sorts for a home collection. The 
Abbe Duquesne. Mons, Belgium, raised this 
pear from seed in 1809. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, 
slow-growing ; hardy, productive ; trunk slender ; 
branches dark reddish-brown, marked with many large, 
very conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 2^^ inches long, 1%4 
inches wide, narrow, short, oval or somewhat elongated, 
leathery ; apex obtusely or slightly taper-pointed ; mar- 
gin glandless, entire ; petiole 2 inches long, greenish, 
glabrous, slender. Flowers very showy, 1% inches 
across, in dense clusters, 7 to 9 buds in a" cluster. Fruit 
ripe in late September and early October ; above medium 
in size, 3% inches long, 2Yn inches wide, variatile 
in size, oblong-pyriform. irregular; stem 1% inches 
long, thick, curved ; cavity small and one-sided, russeted, 
often lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes separated at the 
base, narrow, acuminate ; basin obtuse, furrowed ; skin 
thin, tender, smooth, dull ; color rich yellow, netted and 
sprinkled with russet on the exposed cheek ; dots nu- 
merous, small, russet, obscure ; flesh yellowish-white. 




MOUNT VERNON 



ONTARIO 



97 




90. Mount Vernon. 
(XVz) 



granular, tender, buttery, very juicy, aromatic, with a 
rich, vinous flavor ; quality very good ; core closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, narrow, conical ; 
seeds wide, acute. 

MOUNT VERNON. Fig. 90. As a dis- 
tinct type, and because the pears ripen at a 
season when there are few other varieties of 
this fruit, Mount Vernon has a prominent 
place in the list of worthy American pears. 
The top shape and 
reddish-russet color 
make this a unique 
pear in appearance, 
and the greenish-yel- 
low, granular, spicy, 
piquant flesh consti- 
tute very distinct 
characters in the qual- 
ity of the fruits. Lack 
of uniformity in shape 
and small size are the 
chief defects. The va- 
riety becomes further 
valuable because it 
ripens in early win- 
ter, and under good 
conditions may be 
kept until midwinter. 
The tree is vigorous 
but h.as a small, dense 
head with numerous, 
short, stocky branches, many of which droop, 
the aspect given the top by these peculiarities 
being quite distinct. The variety is worthy 
when a winter pear is wanted whether for 
home or market. Mount Vernon originated 
from a chance seedling in the garden of Samuel 
Walker, Roxbury, Massachusetts, about 1847. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, with many drooping 
branches, dense-topped, hardy, productive, long-lived ; 
trunk stocky, medium to rough ; branches thick, some- 
what shaggy, reddish-brown, marked by few large 
lenticels. Leaves 2'/4 inches long, ll^ inches wide, oval, 
medium to thick, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
crenate, tipped with rudimentary glands; petiole 1^ 
inches long. Flowers 1% inches across, in dense clusters, 
7 to 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in Late October 
and November; medium in size, 2Vz inches long, ZVs 
inches wide, uniform in size, oblong-pyriform, with 
unequal sides ; stem 1 inch long, thick, usually cun'ed ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow and narrow, russeted, furrowed, 
often heavily lipped ; calyx open ; lobes short, narrow, 
acuminate ; basin narrow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; 
skin granular, roughened by russet, dull ; color light 
russet overspreading a greenish-yellow ground, with a 
brownish-red blush on the exposed cheek, dotted and 
netted with russet ; dots numerous, small, russet, ob- 
scure ; flesh with a faint tinge of yellow, granular, 
tender and melting, juicy, sweet, aromatic ; quality good 
to very good ; core large, closed, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube slinrt. wide, conical ; seeds variable in 
size, wide, long, plump, acute, many abortive. 

OLIVIER DE SERRES. This variety is 
rated in Europe as a valuable late winter pear, 
and the pomological WTiters of the last century 
give it all of the virtues on this side of the 
Atlantic ascribed to it by Europeans. A closer 
study of the variety in America shows that it 
does not possess these merits. The quality of 
the pear as grown here is below that of several 
other sorts of its season; the flesh is coarse 
and gritty and the flavor mediocre. The tree- 
characters are good, but are not sufficiently 



good to offset the faults of the fruits. Olivier 
de Serres was raised from seed about the mid- 
dle of the nineteenth century by M. Boisbunel, 
Rouen, France. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, dense-topped, upright- 
spreading, productive ; trunk and branches medium in 
thickness and smoothness, marked with numerous lenti- 
cels. Leaves 2 % inches long, 1 ^ inches wide ; apex 
taper-pointed ; margin glandular, finely serrate ; petiole 
2 inches long, slender. Flowers with an unpleasant odor, 
showy, 1 %6 inches across. Fruit ripens January- 
March, medium in size, 2i^ inches long, 2% inches 
wide, roundish-obtuse-pyrifonn, truncate at both ends, 
irregular in outline ; stem variable in length, averaging 
% inch long, thick, enlarged at the top, curved ; cavity 
broad, slightly furrowed ; calyx large, open ; basin 
variable in depth, furrowed ; skin tender ; color greenish- 
yellow, partly overspread with cinnamon-russet and 
sometimes with a slight dull blush on the exposed cheek ; 
flesh whitish, variable in texture, juicy, varying from 
sweet to a brisk vinous flavor ; quality poor unless 
grown under the most favorable conditions. 

ONONDAGA. Swan's Orange. Some 
seventy or eighty years ago this pear was 
widely introduced under the names Onondaga 
and Swan's Orange, and for a generation was 
much grown in eastern pear regions. It has 
now practically passed from cultivation in 
commercial orchards, but is still to be found 
in collections and home plantings. The fruits 
are large, handsome, and of very good quality, 
resemblmg tho.se of Bartlett in flavor and with 
even better flesh-characters. The trees are vig- 
orous, hardy, and fruitful, but so susceptible 
to blight that the variety can never have com- 
mercial value in American orchards. Whether 
or not it is worth planting in home orchards 
depends on the planter's willingness to suffer 
loss from blight. The varietj' originated with 
a Mr. Curtiss, Farmington, Connecticut, about 
1790. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, 
very productive ; branches zigzag, reddish-brown, marked 
with many large lenticels. Leaves 3\^q inches long, 
1% inches wide, narrow, oval inclining to lanceolate, 
stiff, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin coarsely but 
shallowly serrate, tipped with many reddish glands ; 
petiole 1% inches long, light green mingled with red. 
Blossoms 1% inches across, in dense clusters, 7 to 8 
buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in early October ; above 
medium to large, 2% inches long, 2^ inches wide, 
obovate-obtuse-pyriform, s.vmmetrical, witli unequal 
sides ; stem % inch long, thick, curved ; cavity a slight 
depression, with fleshy enlargement at one side of the 
stem ; calyx closed ; lobes narrow, acute ; basin narrow, 
obtuse, furrowed, uneven ; skin granular, tender, smooth, 
dull ; color rich, pale yellow, with a few lines of russet 
and with many russet spots ; dots numerous, small, 
russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish, granular both near 
the skin and at the center, melting, buttery, very juicy, 
aromatic, with a sweet, rich, vinous flavor; quality very 
good ; core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx- 
tube long, conical ; seeds narrow, long, acute. 

ONTARIO. Ontario was introduced nearly 
seventy years ago with the expectation that 
the crop would follow that of Bartlett and be 
in as great demand. While the variety has 
not come up to expectations, it is too good 
to discard. The fruits are of the type of 
Bartlett, but are smaller and usually lack the 
blush. The trees are very satisfactory. The 
variety fails chiefly in the small size of the 
fruits. Ontario was raised from seed in the 
nurseries of W. & T. Smith, Geneva, New 
York. 



98 



PASSE COJ.MAR 



PITMASTON 



Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, hardy, 
productive ; trunk stocky ; branches thick, roughish, 
dull reddish-brown, marked by small lenticels. Leaves 
2 inches long, IV, inches wide, oval, thin, leathery; 
apex abruptly pointed ; margin glandular toward tne 
apex, very finely serrate; petiole 1% inches long. Flow- 
ers IVb inches across, in a scattering raceme, from 8 
to 10 buds in a cluster. Fruit in season from the 
middle to the last of September ; medium in size. 2 Vi 
inches long, 1% inches wide, uniform in size and shape, 
oblong-pyritorm, with sides usually unequal ; stem % 
inch long, thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, often 
russeted and lipped ; calyx open ; lobes separated at the 
base, narrow, acute ; basin shallow to medium, obtuse, 
gently furrowed, sometimes compressed ; skin smooth, 
dull ; color pale yellow with small patches and streaks 
of light colored russet ; dots numerous, very small, russet, 
obscure ; flesh whitisli, with a yellow tinge at the core, 
granular, firm but tender, juicy,- sweet, slightly aromatic ; 
quality good ; core closed, with clasping core-lines ; 
calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, 
plump, acute. 

PASSE COLMAR. This is one of the 
standard winter pears in England. The fruits 
are exceedingly sugary and mildly spiced with 
cinnamon, a flavor so unique, especially when 
compared with the piquant flavor most com- 
mon in winter pears, that the variety is worth 
growing where it succeeds for the sake of di- 
versity. On unsuitable soils and under indiffer- 
ent care, the pears are unattractive and poor 
in quality. The variety does not thrive on 
heavy cold clay but requires a light, warm soil. 
The trees are very vigorous on heavy soils, 
with the result that the fruits are many but 
small and poor; checking vigor by dwarfing 
on quince or planting on poor soil suits the 
variety. The trees are hardy and as free as 
the average pear from blight. The variety 13 
a good winter sort for home or market. This 
variety was raised in 1758 at Mons, Belgium, 
by the Abbe Hardenpont. 

Tree vigorous, upright, tall, rapid-growing, produc- 
tive ; trunk slender ; branches reddish-brown, marked 
by large, conspicuous glands. Leaves 3 inches long. H4 
inches wide, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
tipped with few small glands, finely serrate to nearly 
entire ; petiole 2 inches long, glabrous, pinkish-green. 
Flowers late, showy, 1% inches across, unusually large, 
in dense clusters, average 6 buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripe December- January ; 2^ inches long, 2Va inches 
wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, somewhat irregular ; stem 
1 inch long, very thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, 
russeted. furrowed ; calyx partly open ; lobes separated 
at the base, narrow, acute ; basin shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, gently furrowed ; skin thick, granular, tender, 
roughish ; color greenish-yellow, with reddish-brown and 
russet patches and nettings ; 
dots numerous, small, rus- 
set, obscure ; flesh tinged 
with yellow, granular, ten- 
der, buttery, very juicy, 
sweet, vinous, aromatic ; 
quality ^ery good ; core 
large, closed, with clasp- 
ing core-lines ; calyx-tnbe 
short, wide, conical ; seeds 
large, wide, plump, acute, 

P. BARRY. Fig. 
91. The fruits of P. 
Barry do not ripen 
until March or April 
and keep until late 
May. A serious de- 
fect is that they some- 
times refuse to ripen 
but shrivel and decay. 
The pears are excel- 




lent in flavor, have good flesh-characters, and 
when properly ripened are excelled in quality 
by no other winter pear. The variety should 
have a place in the collection of every pear 
fancier to extend the season for this fruit, and 
commercial pear-growers might find it a profit- 
able sort for local market. Unfortunately, the 
trees are small, fastidious, as to environment 
and somewhat uncertain in bearing. Bernard S. 
Fox, San Jose, California, raised many pears 
from seeds of Belle Lucrative; among these 
seedlings was one which fruited first in 1873 and 
was named in honor of Patrick Barry. 

Tree variable in size, lacking in vigor, spreading, 
open-topped, unusually hardy ; trunk slender ; branches 
stocky, zigzag, reddish-brown, marked with large lenti- 
cels. Leaves 1 % inches long, 1 % inches wide, leathery ; 
apex abruptly pointed ; margin finely serrate, tipped 
with few glands; petiole 1% inches long. Flowers open 
late. 1^ inches across, well distributed, averaging 7 
buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in late November and 
December; averaging 2% inches long, 2Vi inches wide, 
oblong-obtuse-pyriform, irregular, with unequal sides ; 
stem 1 inch long, thick, curved ; cavity obtuse, narrow, 
furrowed, compressed, often lipped ; calyx small, open ; 
lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, obtuse ; basin 
shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth and regular ; color rich 
yellow, almost entirely overspread with russet ; dots 
numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish- 
white, fine, melting, sweet, juicy, with a rich, vinous 
aromatic flavor ; quality good ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, conical ; seeds 
large, wide, long, plump, acute. 




P. Barry. (XV2) 



92. Pitmaston. iXVz) 

PITMASTON. Fig. 92. Pitmaston Duchess. 
Although this fine old English pear has more 
than ordinary merit, it seems to be little grown 
in America. In appearance, the pears are un- 
surpassed. On warm soils or in warm seasons, 
the flavor is choicely good, but in cold soils and 
seasons, the flavor is often austere, or even acid 
and astringent. The season prolongs that of 



POUND 



REEDER 



Bartlett, and as the fruits are flavored very dif- 
ferently, being more piquant and refreshing, and 
are ordinarily larger and handsomer, Pitmaston 
ought to make a good market sort where 
the variety thrives. The subacid flavor makes 
this one of the very best pears for cuhnary 
purposes. The fruits keep and ship well. The 
trees have fewer faults than those of most 
of the standard varieties. They are hardy, 
vigorous, fairly immune to blight, and while 
but moderately productive, bear annually, and 
the large size of the fruits make them high 
yielders. The variety should be put on pro- 
bation by those who grow for the markets, and 
is well worthy a place in all home orchards. 
Pitmaston was raised by John Williams, Pit- 
maston, England, in 1841. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, dense-topped ; trunk 
stocky, shaggy ; branches thick, slightly zigzag, reddish- 
brown, marked with numerous, large lenticels. Leaves 
2^ inches long, 1'^ inches wide, leathery ; apex abruptly 
pointed; margin finely serrate; petiole 1% inches long. 
Flowers showy, 1% inches across, well distributed, 
average 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in October ; 
large, 3^ inches long, 2\^ inches wide, oblong-obovate- 
pyriform, symmetrical ; stem 1 inch long, thick, often 
curved ; cavity very shallow and ^'ery narrow or lacking, 
the flesh drawn up in a wrinkled fold around the base 
of the stem, often lipped ; calyx closed, large ; lobes 
long, broad, acute ; basin shallow, obtuse, furrowed 
and wrinkled ; skin thin, granular, smooth, tender, dull ; 
color pale lemon-yellow, dotted and patched with light 
russet, especially around the stem, without blush ; dots 
numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; flesh tinged with 
yellow, firm, somewhat granular, melting, buttery, very 
juicy, piquant and vinous ; quality good to very good ; 
core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; seeds narrow, long, flat, acute, 
very often abortive. 

POUND, Pound is grown in collections for 
its monstrous fruits. The pears not infre- 
quently weigh three pounds, and one is noted 
weighing four pounds, nine ounces. The pears 
are coarse in form, texture and flavor — but one 
degree better in flavor than the potato-like 
fruits of Kieffer and even more sappy. The 
pears keep well, and are fairly good for culinary 
purposes. The trees are unusually satisfactory, 
because of which the variety should make a 
good parent from which to breed. This is a 
very old pear of uncertain origin, possibly dat- 
ing back to Plmy, who wTote about eighty 
years after the beginning of the Christian 
era. 

Tree upright, dense-topped, hardy, very productive ; 
trunk stocky, shaggy ; branches thick, shaggy, zigzag, 
dull reddish-brown, marked with many large lenticels. 
Leaves 3 % inches long, 1 % inches wide, ovate, thin, 
stiff ; apex taper-pointed ; margin glandular, finely ser- 
rate ; petiole 1 % inches long, slender. Flowers open 
early, 1 % inches across, large, well distributed, average 
7 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in February ; large, 
4 inches long, 2% inches wide, obovate-acute-pyri- 
form, with unequal sides ; stem long, thick, curved ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, nisseted, furrowed, drawn 
up in a fleshy ring about the stem ; calyx large, open ; 
lobes separated at the base, obtuse ; basin shallow, 
narrow, obtuse, slightly furrowed, symmetrical ; skin 
thick, tough, dull, roughened by the dots and by russet 
markings ; color golden-yellow, often marked on the 
exposed cheek with a bronze or pinkish blush ; dots 
numerous, russet, very conspicuous ; flesh yellowish, 
firm, granular, very tough, subacid, inferior in flavor ; 
quality very poor ; core large, closed, axile, with meet- 
ing core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; carpels 
pear-shaped ; seeds very large, brownish -black, wide, 
long, acuminate. 



PRESIDENT DROUARD. Fig. 93. Drou- 
ard. President Drouard is a comparatively 
new pear in America, and in its probationary 
period the fruits are making a favorable im- 
pression. The pears ripen in late autumn and 
are of the type of those of Beurre d'Anjou, a 




93. President Drouard. (Xy2) 

little yellower in color, and, all in all, more 
attractive in appearance. The quality is none 
too good for dessert. The trees are hardy and 
vigorous but blight rather badly. The variety 
is worth trying for the markets. President 
Drouard is a chance seedling found in the 
suburbs of Pont-de-Ce, France, by M. Olivier, 
about 1886. 

Tree of medium size, spreading, open-topped, hardy ; 
branches reddish-brown, marked with small lenticels. 
Lea^e.s 3 inches long, \% inches wide, oval, thick, 
leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin glandless or with 
but few glands, entire or coarsely serrate ; petiole 
glabrous, greenish, thick, 1% inches long, tinged red. 
Flowers 1% inches across, in dense clusters, 6 to 9 
buds in a cluster. Fruit in season from late November 
to December; large, averaging SVz inches long, 3 inches 
wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform, with unequal sides ; stem 
1 inch long, very thick and woody ; cavity obtuse, deep, 
irregular, furrowed, usually lipped ; calyx large, open : 
lobes separated at the base, long, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin deep, abrupt, usually smooth but sometimes gently 
furrowed ; skin thick, tough, rough, dull ; color clear 
lemon-yellow, with nettings and streaks of russet ; dots 
numerous, small, russet, obscure ; flesh tinged with 
yellow ; very granular at the core, tender and melting, 
buttery, juicy, aromatic, sweet ; quality good ; core 
large, closed, axiie, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, 
acute, occasionally abortive. 

REEDER. Reeder is another of the pears 
too good to discard, and not quite good enough 
to give an ardent recommendation. In quality 
the fruits rank but little below those of Seckel ; 
are about the same size as grown under aver- 
age conditions; but are even duller and less 
attractive in color than the modest fruits of 
Seckel. The variety has a place in the home 
and markets as a pear to follow Seckel, as the 
crop comes in season just after that of Seckel 
passes out. The trees make but a short, slender 



100 



RIEHL BEST 



SECKEL 



growth until well established in the orchard, 
after which they become of medium size but 
very vigorous. The branches droop as do 
those of Winter Nelis, although not so marked- 
ly. The variety is nearly blight-proof. Reeder 
is a seedling raised about 1855 by Dr. Henry 
Reeder, Varick, New York, from seed of 
Wmter Nelis. 

Tree spreading, becoming drooping with age, open- 
topped, productive ; trunk and branches medium in 
thickness and smoothness ; branches zigzag, reddish- 
brown, sprinkled with numerous lenticels. Leaves 2% 
inches long, 1% inches wide, leathery, apex taper- 
pointed ; margin crenate to nearly entire, petiole i 
inches long, tinged with red ; stipules few, very small, 
reddish-green. Flowers Wi inches across, in dense clus- 
ters average 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe October- 
November ; small, averaging 1% inches long, 1% inches 
wide globular-obtuse-pyriform, ribbed and irregular; 
stem 1 H inches long, slender, curved ; cavity a very 
small depression in which is inserted the base of the 
stem, symmetrical ; calyx large, open ; lobes separated 
at the base, long, narrow, retlexed, acuminate ; basin 
shallow and narrow, smooth ; skin thick, smooth, tender ; 
color dull greenish-yellow, mottled and streaked with 
russet, blushed faintly on the exposed cheek with 
brownish-red -, dots few, small, obscure, greenish or 
Tusset ; flesh white, granular toward the center but fine- 
grained near the skin, tender, somewhat stringy, very 
juicy, aromatic ; quality good ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel- 
shaped ; seeds unusually large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

RIEHL BEST. Riehl Best is as nearly 
blight-proof as any other European pear. It 
might well be tried in localities where stand- 
ard sorts cannot be raised because of blight, 
and is worth growing in breeding work as a 
parent to obtain blight-resistant varieties. The 
pears are unattractive m appearance, but are 
excellent in quality. The flesh is juicy, tender, 
vinous, free from grittiness and seldom rots at 
the core. The trees are hardy to heat and 
cold and bear annually. This pear was dis- 
covered bv Edwin H. Riehl, Godfrey, Illinois. 
It is probable that Riehl Best is an old Euro- 
pean pear renamed. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, rapid- 
growing, productive ; trunk stocky ; branches thick, light 
reddish-brown, marked with numerous large lenticels. 
Leaves 3 inches long, 1% inches wide, thick; apex 
abruptly pointed ; margin glandless, variable in serra- 
tions ; petiole 2 inches long. Flowers 1% inches across, 
in dense clusters, average 6 buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripens in October; medium in size, 2% inches long, 2 
inches wide, obovatc-conic-pyriform, irregular, with 
unequal sides; stem IVa inches long; cavity very shallow 
and narrow or lacking, the flesh drawn up in a lip on 
one side of the stem ; calyx open ; lobes separated at 
the base, broad, obtuse ; basin obtuse, furrowed ; skin 
thick, roughened with russet ; color dull yellow, overlaid 
with patches of russet, with distinct russet dots and 
with a faint trace of red on the cheek next the sun ; 
dots numerous, russet, conspicuous ; flesh tinged with 
.Yellow, granular under the skin, tender, moderately 
3uicy, vinous ; quality good ; core large, closed, axile, 
with meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; 
carpels ovate ; seeds medium in size, width, and plump- 
ness, obtuse. 

ROOSEVELT. This variety is still on 
probation in America, with the chances strongly 
against it proving worthy of general cultiva- 
tion. The fruits are too small, too poorly 
colored, and too poor in quality to compete 
with those of a score of other sorts of the 
same season. The core is remarkably small, 
and the seeds are few and small, but these 
are insuflBcient merits to count against the 



several defects named. The tree is robust and 
generally satisfactory. In Europe the variety 
was heralded as a most remarkable sort — one 
"destined to bring about a revolution in pear- 
growing." It may be worth further trial in 
this country. This pear was introduced in 
1905 by the noted French pomologist Charles 
Baltet, Troyes, France. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, very upright, dense- 
topped, rapid-growing ; trunlc slender, smooth ; branches 
slender, smooth, glossy, reddish-brown, marked with 
numerous, small, raised lenticels ; branchlets character- 
istically thick, with blunt ends. Leaves 3 inches long, 
1% inches wide, stiff; apex taper-pointed; margin 
usually glandless, finely serrate to almost entire ; petiole 
2 inches long, slender, curved. Flowers with a dis- 
agreeable odor, early, showy, 1% inches across, in dense 
clusters, average 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripens in 
late September and October ; medium in size, about 
2 '/lo inches in length and width, roundish-ohtuse- 
pvriform, symmetrical ; stem 1 inch long, thick ; cavity 
very shallow or lacking, faintly lipped ; calyx very open, 
large ; lobes separated at the base, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, wide, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; skin thick, 
tough, smooth, dull ; color pale lemon-yellow, mottled 
somewhat and netted with russet, with the faintest trace 
of a blush ; dots numerous, small, light russet, obscure ; 
flesh very light salmon, fine-grained except at the center 
which is slightly granular, tender and melting, very 
juicy, mildly sweet, without much character ; quality 
medium ; core small, closed, axile, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube long, very wide, conical ; carpels 
cordate ; seeds wide, acute. 

RUTTER. Rutter is a most excellent late 
autumn variety. The pears are good or very 
good in quality, attractive, keep well, ship 
well, and sell well to those who know the va- 
riety. The trees have a combination of good 
characters that commend them most highly. 
Thus, they are comparatively immune to 
blight; enormously productive, though they 
have a tendency to bear every other year; 
bear early, grow rapidly, live long, and are 
hardy. The fruits hang exceptionally well to 
the trees, so that the variety is a valuable one 
for exposed situations. The variety can be 
recommended for both home and market plan- 
tations. This variety was raised by John 
Rutter. West Chester, Pennsylvania, from seed 
of Leon Leclerc about sixty years ago. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, rapid- 
growing, productive; trunk stocky; branches thick, 
reddish-brown, sprinkled with very conspicuous lenticels. 
Leaves 3 % inches long, 1 % inches wide, thick, leathery ; 
apex taper-pointed ; margin nearly glandless, almost 
entire; petiole 2 inches long, glabrous, reddish-green. 
Flowers very showy, 1% inches across, almost in racemea, 
6 or 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in late October 
and early November ; large, 3 % inches long, 3 inches 
wide, roundish-obtuse-pyriform, with a very thick, blunt 
neck, with unequal sides; stem % inch long, thick, 
woody ; cavity acuminate, unusually large, deep, russeted, 
occasionally furrowed and wrinkled, slightly lipped ; 
calyx small, open ; lobes separated at the base, short, 
narrow, acute ; basin deep, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; 
skin thick, gritty, roughish, dull ; color yellow over- 
spread with light-colored russet, mottled and flecked 
with russet ; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; 
flesh whitish, granular at the center, tender and melting, 
juicy, aromatic, sweet but refreshing ; quality good to 
very good ; core small, closed, abaxile, with meeting 
core-lines ; calyx-tube long, conical ; seeds small, almost 
roundish, plump, obtuse. 

SECKEL. Fig. 94. Among the several hun- 
dred pears that are or have been grown on this 
side of the Atlantic, Seckel stands almost alone 
in vigor of tree, productiveness, and immunity 



SECKEL 



SHELDON 



to blight, and is equalled by no other variety 
in high quality of fruit. If the fruits were 
larger, Seckel would challenge the world as a 
pear for the markets as it now does as a pear 
for the home orchard. After Bartlett and the 




94. Seckel. iXVz) 

disreputable Kieffer, it is now more grown 
than any other variety in America. The fruits 
are small, not highly colored, but attractive 
because clean and trim in contour. The flesh 
is melting, juicy, perfumed and most ex- 
quisitely and delicately flavored, with the 
curious character of having much of its spicy, 
aromatic flavor in the skin which should never 
be discarded m eating. The reddish-brown 
color of the fruit is another distinguishing 
character of Seckel. Another distinctive char- 
acter is that the fruits do not lose much if any 
by ripening on the tree. Besides being nearly 
iron-clad in resistance to blight and very pro- 
ductive, the trees are as hardy as those of 
any other pear, and are remarkable for their 
large, compact, broadly pyramidal tops. The 
tree is further distinguished by its short- 
jointed, stout, olive-colored wood, and its 
habit of bearing fruits in clusters on the ends 
of the branches. Its blossoms are markedly 
self-fertile. There are several faults of fruit 
and tree: thus, the fruits are small and do 
not keep after maturity; fruit and foliage are 
susceptible to scab; the pears are too small 
for commercial canning; and the trees are late 
in coming in bearing. Notwithstandmg these 
several faults. Seckel is usually a profitable 
commercial variety, as a well-grown crop al- 
most always commands a fancy price. For 
the home orchard, it has no rival in any part 
of North America where European varieties 
are grown. Seckel is supposed to have origi- 
nated as a chance seedling soon after the 
Revolutionary War near Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Tree very larj^e, very vip:orous, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, hardy, very productive, long-lived ; trunk 
stocky ; branches thick, reddish-brown, covered with 
small lonticels. Leaves 2% inches long, I'A inches 
wide, oval, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin finely 
serrate; petiole 1^^ inches long; stipules very long 



when present. Flowers 1 Vt inches across, in dense clusters, 
7 or 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in October ; small, 
2 inches long, 1% inches wide, uniform in size and 
shape, obovate, s.vmmetrical ; stem 14 inch long, short, 
thick, often curved ; cavity obtuse, with a sliallow, nar- 
row depression, s^-mmetrical ; calyx small, partly open ; 
lobes separated at the base, short, variable in width, 
acute ; basin shallow, narrow, strongly obtuse, sjTn- 
metrical ; skin smooth, dull ; color yellowish-brown, 
lightly marked with pale russet and often with a russet- 
red cheek ; dots numerous, very small, russet or grayish ; 
flesh white, with a faint tinge of yellow, slightly 
granular, melting, buttery, very juicy, sweet, with an 
exceedingly rich, aromatic, spicy flavor ; quality very 
good to best : core small, closed, with clasping core- 
lines ; calyx-tube short, conical ; seeds small, short, not 
very plump, obtuse. 

SHELDON. Fig. 95. The fruits of Shel- 
don satisfy both the eye and the palate; no 
rival in season surpasses them in either ap- 
pearance or quality. While not large, they 
are of sufficient size to meet the demands of a 
good dessert fruit. The shape is a perfect 
turbinate, truncated at the base, and is usually 
symmetrical and uniform. In color, the pears 
are very distinctive, the whole fruit being more 
or less russeted, with a handsome ruddy cheek. 
The flesh is melting and juicy, and deserves 
more than almost any other pear the adjective 
luscious; it is sweet, vinous, and highly per- 
fumed with a pleasant musky aroma. The 




95. Sheldon. {XV2) 

fruits keep and ship well, and are esteemed 
both for dessert and culinary purposes. The 
trees, while large, vigorous, and hardy, are not 
productive, blight as badly as any pear in 
the orchard, are reluctant in coming in bearing, 
and seldom hold their crop well, so that in 
exposed positions the wind takes great toll. 
These faults of the tree keep Sheldon from 
being a commercial variety of high rank, but 
the fine fruits make it worth growing in the 
home orchard or for the markets where the 
faults of the trees are not too marked. This 
pear is a native of the town of Huron, Wayne 
County, New York. The original tree stood 
on the premises of Major Sheldon, having 
sprung from seed planted about 1815. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, rapid-growing, 
hardy, productive ; trunk stocky ; branches thick, reddish- 
brown, marked with large lenticels. Leaves 2% inches 
long, H4 inches wide, oval, leathery; apex taper- 



102 



SOUVENIR DU CONGRES 



SUDDUTH 



pointed ; margin finely serrate ; petiole 1 V^ inches long. 
Flowers 1% inches across, in dense clusters, 13 or 11 
buds in a cluster. Fruit matures in October; large, 2% 
inches long, 2 'A inches wide, uniform in size and shape, 
turbinate, symmetrical ; stem % inch long, thick, nearly 
straight ; cavity obtuse, deep, furrowed, occasionally 
lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes very broad, obtuse ; 
basin wide, obtuse, sjTnmetrical ; skin thick, granular, 
tender, roughish ; color dull greenish-yellow with a faint 
brownish-red blush overspread with russet nettings and 
streaks ; dots numerous, small, russet ; flesh whitish, some- 
what granular, tender and melting, very juicy, sweet and 
vinous, with a rich and pleasantly aromatic flavor ; 
quality very good to best ; core large, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; caljl-tube short, wide, conical ; 
seeds acute. 

SOUVENIR DU CONGRES. Fig. 96. 
Congress, Souvenir. Very similar to Clapp 
Favorite and Bartlett, and not as good as 
either in fruit, Souvenir du Congres hardly 
merits a place in American pomology. Yet 




96. Souvenir du Congres. (X%) 

since the crop ripens between those of the two 
sorts with which it has been compared, and 
because the fruits are larger and often hand- 
somer, the variety may be worthy a place in 
collections. The fruits are said to be larger 
and of better quality when the tree is double- 
worked on the quince. The tree is remarkable 
for vigor, hardihood to cold, and healthfulness; 
and bears so abundantly that the crop must 
be thinned to prevent breaking of branches. 
Souvenir du Congres owes its origin to Fran- 
gois Morel, Lyons, France. M. Morel sowed 
seeds in 1852," and one of the resultant trees 
bore fruit in 1863, and was named Souvenir 
du Congres. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, very productive; branches zigzag, dull 
reddish-brown, marked by small, raised lenticels. Leaves 
1% inches long, 1% inches wide, roundish-oval, leath- 
ery ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin tipped with very 
few glands, finely serrate; petiole IVi inches long, 
glabrous, tinged with red. Flowers with a disagreeable 
odor, IVs inches across, pinkish-white as the buds 
unfold, becoming whitish, in dense clusters, 6 to 8 Duds 
in a cluster. Fruit ripe in September ; large, 3 '/le 
inches lone 2 "An inches wide, quite uniform in size 
and shape, oblong-acute-pyriform, symmetrical, with 



unequal sides ; stem 1 inch long, short, thick, curved ; 
cavity obtuse, almost lacking, shallow, narrow, russeted, 
furrowed, often with the stem inserted beneath a pro- 
nounced irregular lip ; calyx open ; lobes separated at 
the base, narrow, acute ; basin wide, obtuse and flaring, 
furrowed, symmetrical, smooth except for the thick 
russet covering ; color yellow, with a reddish blush on 
the exposed cheek, covered with nettings of russet and 
yellow patches ; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicu- 
ous ; flesh white, tinged with yellow, firm, granular, 
tender, very juicy, sweet, musky ; quality good ; core 
closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical ; seeds long, wide, plump, acute. 

SOUVENIR D'ESPEREN. Downing in 
1869 noted this old French pear as one of the 
best for either amateur or commercial grower, 
and at that time it was rather widely planted. 
Now, growers seldom set it. The trees are 
vigorous, hardy, healthy, and productive, and 
the fruits are attractive in appearance and 
good in quality, but neither tree nor fruit rise 
much above mediocrity, and the variety has 
no outstanding character to give it individu- 
ality. The crop comes in season in December, 
after which the pears quickly decay. The va- 
riety is worth planting only for the sake of 
greater diversity. Major Esperen, Mechlin 
Belgium, raised this pear from seed about the 
middle of the nineteenth century. 

Tree medium in size, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
slow-growing, productive ; trunk and branches medium 
in thickness and smoothness ; branches reddish-brown, 
marked with very conspicuous but scattering lenticels. 
Leaves 3 inches long, 1 % inches wide ; apex abruptly 
pointed; margin uneven, finely serrate; petiole 2% 
inches long, tinged red. Flowers open late, showy, 1% 
inches across, average 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe 
the last of November and December ; above medium to 
large, 3% inches long, 2% inches wide, oblong-obovate- 
pyriform, the surface uneven; stem 1% inches long, 
slender ; cavity very obtuse and shallow or lacking, the 
flesh drawn up about the base of the stem in a lip ; 
calyx partly open, small ; lobes separated at the base, 
short, narrow, acute ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, 
wrinkled ; skin thick, roughened with russet : color 
greenish-yellow well mottled and patched with russet, 
sprinkled with many russet dots and often with russet 
overspreading nearly the entire surface ; dots numerous, 
russet, small ; flesh yellowish, very granular near the 
center, firm, crisp but tender, juicy, with a pleasant, 
aromatic, vinous flavor ; quality good to very good ; 
core large, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, wide, conical ; seeds small, short, plump, acute, 
light brown. 

SUDDUTH. Sudduth has little to recom- 
mend it for eastern pear regions, but it is a 
standard sort in parts of the Mississippi Valley. 
The characters which give it a place in the 
pear flora of the region just named are: re- 
markable freedom from blight; hardiness to 
cold and heat; capacity to withstand drought; 
early bearing; and great productiveness. The 
fruits are neither attractive in appearance nor 
high in qualitj' — hardly fit for dessert, being 
but a grade or two better than the disreputable 
Kieffer. Like those of the Kieffer, however, 
they do very well for all culinarj^ purposes. 
The pears do not keep well, as they soften at 
the center soon after becoming edible. The 
trees are nearly as hardy as those of the wild 
crab-apple. The variety is desirable only where 
hardiness and freedom from blight are prime 
requisites. Sudduth was introduced about 
1895, although the parent tree was at that time 
fully seventy years old. It originated from 



SUMMER DOYENNE 



URBANISTE 



103 



seed planted by Thomas Constant in 1820, in 
Sangamon County, Illinois. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, productive; trunk stocky, shaggy, branches 
thick, smooth, dull reddish-brown, sprinkled with nu- 
merous large, raised lenticels. Leaves 3 inches long, 1% 
inches wide, thin, velvety ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
glandless, finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches long, slender, 
tinged red, glabrous. Flowers late, 1% inches across, 
in dense clusters, average 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripe in late September-October ; medium or below in 
size, 2Vi inches long, ■!% inches wide, roundish-oblate, 
slightly conical toward the apex ; stem % inch long, 
slender ; cavity acute, deep, narrow, smooth, sometimes 
lipped ; apex "large, open ; lobes separated at the base, 
long, acute ; basin very shallow, narrow, obtuse, occa- 
sionally wrinkled ; skin thin, tough, smooth, dull ; color 
light green, without blush ; dots very small, russet or 
greenish, very obscure ; flesh greenish-white, firm, crisp, 
rather dry, subacid ; quality medium to poor ; core large, 
closed, axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx wide, 
conical ; carpels ovate ; seeds variable in size, wide, flat, 
obtuse. 

SUMMER DOYENNE. The extremely 
early and highly flavored fruits, which are 
borne in prodigious quantities, make this a 
very desirable pear for the home garden. The 
fruits have no value for the markets as they 
are small, do not keep well, and are unattrac- 
tive. The tree is of medium size, comes in 
bearing early, is hardy, and is as free as most 
of Its orchard associates from blight. Both 
fruit and foliage suffer badly from pear-scab, 
and no amount of spraying can give the fruits 
a fair cheek in season when this fungus is 
epidemic. Van Mons, the great Belgian pear- 
breeder, is supposed to have originated this 
variety ; Diel mentioned it among his best 
pears in 1812. 

Tree variable in size, upright, vigorous, productive ; 
trunk slender ; br-inches slender, zigzag, brownish, 
marked with numerous conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 
2% inches long, IVi inches wide, thin, leathery; apex 
taper-pointed ; margin finely serrate ; petiole 1 % inches 
long, tinged with pink. Flowers showy, 1% inches 
across, in dense clusters. 7 or 9 buds in a cluster. Fruit 
ripe in early August ; small, 1 ^/^ inches long, 1 % inches 
wide, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, sjTumetrical ; stem 1^ 
inches long, slender ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, 
slightly furrowed, often lipped ; calyx small, closed ; 
lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, acuminate ; 
basin shallow, obtuse, furrowed ; skin thin, smooth, 
tender, waxen, yellow, blushed with bright red, deepen- 
ing on the exposed cheek to crimson ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, obscure ; flesh tinged with yellow, fine- 
grained, tender and melting, juicy, variable in flavor 
and quality, pleasantly sprightly under favorable con- 
ditions ; quality variable, good under the best conditions ; 
core closed, axile, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube 
short, narrow, urn-shaped ; carpels roundish-ovate ; seeds 
small, narrow, fiat, acute. 



is the most nearly perfect of that of any pear 
grown in America— the Kieffer, praiseworthy 
only in its tree, not excepted. It is certainly 
as hardy as that of any other variety if not 
hardier, and resists better than that of any 
other sort the black scourge of blight. Add to 



SUPERFIN: See Beurre Superfin. 

TYSON. Fig. 97. Tyson competes with 
Clapp Favorite as the precursor of the pear 
season which is really opened by Bartlett. In 
every character of fruit and tree excepting size 
and color of fruit, Tyson excels Clapp Favorite. 
The flesh is melting and juicy with a spicy 
scented sweetness that gives the fruits the 
charm of individuality. The pears keep longer 
and ship better than those of Clapp Favorite, 
their season in New York being from the mid- 
dle of August to the middle of September. 
Unfortunately, the pears are but medium in 
size, and are often poorly colored. The tree 




97. Tyson. (XV2) 

these notable characters, large size, great vigor 
and fruitfulness, and it is seen that the trees 
are nearly flawless. Tyson is the best pear of 
its season for the home orchard, and has much 
merit for commercial orchards. Were the fruit 
larger, it would rival Bartlett for the markets. 
Tyson is a seedling found about 1794 on the 
land of Jonathan Tyson, Jenkintown, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright-spreading, tall, 
dense-topped, hardy, productive ; trunk very stocky, 
rough ; branches thick, dull reddish-brown, with few 
lenticels. Leaves 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, thin; 
apex abruptly pointed ; margin finely and shallowly 
serrate; petiole 1% inches long. Flowers medium in 
season of bloom. Fruit matures in late August ; medium 
in size although somewhat variable, 2% inches long, 
1% inches wide, roundish-acute-pyriform, with unequal 
sides; stem 1% inches long, curved; cavity very shal- 
low, obtuse, roughened, usually drawing up as a lip 
about the base of the stem ; calyx open ; small ; lobes 
separated at the base, short, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, narrow, flaring, slightly furrowed, compressed ; 
skin tough, smooth, slightly russeted, dull ; color deep 
yellow, usually without blush ; dots numerous, very 
small, obscure ; flesh tinged with yellow, granular 
around the basin, otherwise rather fine-grained, tender 
and melting, very juicy, sweet, aromatic ; quality very 
good ; core small, closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx- 
tube short, wide, conical ; seeds medium in size and 
width, plump, acute. 

URBANISTE. Urbaniste is desirable for 
home use because of its highly flavored fruits 
— so sweet, rich, perfumed, and luscious as to 
be a natural sweetmeat. The fruits are of but 
medium size and are not handsome. The flesh 
is as tender, sweet, juicy, and as delicately per- 
fumed as that of Seckel or White Doyenne, 
with a distinct flavor and scent which give the 
fruits the added charm of individuality. The 
crop ripens in October, in a season when there 
are many other pears, but the fruits stand com- 
parison with those of any other variety and 
are welcome additions to the fruit-basket. The 
trees have several defects, chief of which is 



104 



VERMONT BEAUTY 



tardiness in coming in bearing, to remedy 
which grafting on the quince is recommended. 
They are also somewhat susceptible to blight, 
and are not as hardy as might be wished. Of 
all pears, the tree of this is one of the hand- 
somest—clean and tidy, slender and graceful, 
yet robust and productive. Fruit and tree 
make this a valuable variety for home plant- 
ings. Urbaniste originated as a wilding in the 
gardens of the religious order of Urbanistes 
at Mechlin, Belgium, toward the close of the 
eighteenth century. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, slow- 
growing, productive with age ; trunk slender, shaggy ; 
branches stocky, shaggy, zigzag, reddish-brown, sprinkled 
with numerous lenticcls. Leaves 2H inches long, % 
inch wide, thin, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; margin 
finely serrate; petiole IM inches long, slender. Fruit 
ripe in late October and early November; medium in 
size, 2% inches long, 1% inches wide, obovate-obtuse- 
pyriform, with unequal sides ; stem % irn^h long, short, 
thick ; cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, faintly russeted, 
furrowed, slightly lipped ; calyx open ; lobes separated 
at the base, narrow, obtuse ; basin shallow, narrow, 
obtuse, slightly furrowed; skin thick, tough, roughened 
by the russet nettings, dull ; color pale yellow, often 
with a faint russet-red blush on the exposed cheek and 
marked with nettings and patches of russet ; dots nu- 
merous, small, russet, conspicuous ; tiesh tinged with 
yellow, granular especially around the core, tender and 
melting, buttery, juicy, sweet, pleasantly aromatic ; 
quality very good ; core closed, witli clasping core-lines ; 
calyx-tube short, wide, conical ; seeds medium in size 
and width, long, plump, acute. 

VERMONT BEAUTY. The fruits of Ver- 
mont Beauty elicit praise from all who see or 
taste them. The bright-cheeked pears are as 
alluring to the eye as those of any other va- 
riety, and they are almost as delectable as the 
fruits of Seckel which they resemble in shape, 
but are larger and handsomer. The crop ripens 
a little later and keeps longer than that of 
Seckel, and for these reasons, and because of 
the alluring appearance, should sell better. 
The pears are used to grace the table for des- 
sert, but the sprightly flavor makes them well 
suited for all culinary purposes. The trees are 
preeminent among their kind by virtue of large 
size, rapidity of growth, productivity, and 
hardiness, tlie region from which the variety 
came as a seedling bespeaking greater hardi- 
hood to cold than that possessed by the aver- 
age variety. They rejoice in vigor and health 
as do those of almost no other variety, and 
while hardly as productive as those of Seckel, 
yet because of larger fruits fill the basket nearly 
as quickly. Vermont Beauty is one of the 
best of the pears of its season, and deserves a 
place in the orchards of the country for home 
and market. The variety is supposed to have 
originated in the nursery of Benjamin Mac- 
omber. Grand Isle, Vermont, more than forty 
years ago. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive ; trunk stocky, shaggy ; branches medium in 
thickness and smoothness, zigzag, reddish-brown, with 
numerous large, very conspicuous lenticels. Leaves 2% 
inches long, 1% inches wide, leathery; apex abruptly 
or taper -pointed ; margin glandless, finely serrate ; 
petiole 2 inches long, glabrous, slender, pinkish-green. 
Flowers characteristically small, average 1 inch across, 
in dense clusters, about 6 buds in a cluster, the petals 
unusually small. Fruit ripe in late October-November ; 
medium in size, 2^ inches long, 2 inches wide, obovate- 



WHITE DOYENNE 



acute-pyriform, sj'mmetrical ; stem % inch long, curved ; 
cavity small or lacking, the flesh folded around the base 
of the stem, occasionally lipped ; calyx small, open ; 
lobes separated at the base, short, narrow, acute ; basin 
shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth, symmetrical ; skin thick, 
tough, smooth, or with slight russet markings ; color 
clear pale lemon-yellow, with a broad and brilliantly 
blushed cheek of pinkish-red, fading at the sides into 
pinkish-red dots : dots numerous, very small, light russet, 
conspicuous ; Hesh tinged with yellow, granular at the 
center but fine-grained near the skin, tender and melting, 
very juicy, with a rich vinous flavor ; quality very 
good, core closed, axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx- 
tube short, wide, conical ; seeds large, wide, plump, 
acute. 

VICAR OF WINKFIELD. Vicar. The 
pears of this variety are so variable in quality, 
often being wretchedly poor, that this sort is 
now seldom planted in America. The variety 
is not liked, also, because the trees blight 
badly. The fruits are large and handsome, 
keep well, and are excellent for all culinary 
purposes. They have a strong musky smell, 
and are more or less astringent, the quality 
depending largely on the soil, being best when 
the trees stand in a deep, warm loam. The 
pears are long-pyriform. usually one-sided, and 
are further characterized by the peculiarity 
that the calyx is not in line with the axis as 
in other pears, but is on one side, generally 
opposite to that in which the stalk is inserted. 
The trees, barring susceptibility to blight, are 
about all that could be desired — large, vigor- 
ous, handsome, and thriving both as standards 
and dwarfs. In 1760 this pear was found as 
a wilding by a French curate at Villiers-en- 
Brenne. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense- 
topped, hardy, very productive, long-lived ; trunk and 
branches stocky ; branches zigzag, greenish-brown, with 
lenticels variable in number and size. Leaves 3 inches 
long, 2% inches wide, thick, leathery; apex abruptly 
pointed ; margin lipped with minute scattering glands, 
finely serrate ; petiole variable in length, pinkish-green. 
Fruit ripe December- January ; large, 3 % inches long, 
2% inches wide, oblong-pyriform, with a long, taper- 
ing neck, with une<iual sides; stem 1% inches long, 
slender, curved ; cavity lacking with stem obliquely set 
and often with a fleshy fold around the base in the 
form of a lip ; calyx large, open ; lobes long, obtusely 
pointed ; basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth, sym- 
metrical ; skin thick, tough, smooth, dull ; color pale 
yellow, often with a faint brownish-red blush over the 
exposed cheek, marked with light russet around the 
calyx, and occasionally with russet flecks scattered over 
the surface ; dots numerous, small, conspicuous, brown- 
isli-russet ; flesh wliite. granular only near the center, 
tender and melting, juicy, astringent or with a spright- 
ly muskiness ; good only for cooking ; core small, closed, 
axile, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, nar- 
row, funnel-shaped ; carpels long-oval ; seeds large, long, 
often abortive. 

WHITE DOYENNE. Fig. 98. Virgalieu. 
This ancient and world-renowned pear, its 
fruits as delectable as any that come from the 
pear orchard, is now rarely planted in America. 
It is being discarded because the small and 
comparatively unattractive fruits fail to satisfy 
commercial demands. In the middle of the 
la.st century, when there was almost a mania 
for the best European pears, when fruits were 
judged by the palate rather than the eye as 
now. White Doyenne was one of the most 
commonly planted varieties. A more serious 
fault than small and unattractive pears is that 
the fruits and foliage are inviting prey to the 



WILDER EARLY 



WINTER NELIS 



105 



scab fungus which often cracks and scabs the 
pears and defoliates the trees. Except in sus- 
ceptibility to scab, the trees are nearly flawless 
when grown in the soil which they prefer — a 
rich clay which should be heavy rather than 
light. On such soil, tree and fruit attain per- 
fection. Grown in a light soil, and when scab 
is unchecked, the fruits are small, green, 




98. White Doyenne. 

cracked, and cankered— intolerable to sight 
and taste. Unfortunately, also, the trees are 
ravaged by blight when that disease is epi- 
demic. The faults named have made the 
variety an outcast, but it should still receive 
attention for the superb quality of its fruits 
where scab and blight can be controlled. This 
pear is one of the oldest of all varieties. So 
confused is its identity that it is impossible 
to state whether the variety originated in 
France or was brought to that country from 
Italy. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, vasiform, hardy, very 
productive ; trunk stocky, somewhat smooth ; branches 
thick, dark gray, with many large lenticels. Leaves 
2^/^ inches long, 1% inches wide, flattened, leathery; 
apex taper-pointed; margin finely serrate; petiole 1^ 
inches long, slender. Flowers early, 1% inches across, 
in dense clusters, 7 or 8 buds in a cluster. Fruit ma- 
tures in early October; medium in size, 2% inches 
long, 2% inches wide, uniform, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, 
symmetrical ; stem % inch long, thick, slightly cur\'ed ; 
cavity obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, usually sym- 
metrical ; calyx small, open or closed ; lobes short, 
narrow, obtuse ; basin shallow, obtuse, nearly smooth, 
symmetrical ; skin thick, tough, smooth, dull ; color 
clear pale yellow with a small amount of bright red 
blush on the exposed cheek ; dots numerous, small, 
russet, conspicuous ; flesh yellowish-white, granular, firm 
at first but becoming melting when fully ripe, juicy, 
sweet, with a rich, aromatic flavor ; quality very good ; 
core closed, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, 
wide, conical ; seeds wide, plump, obtuse. 

WILDER EARLY. Early Wilder. Wild- 
er. This is one of the good, early pears for 
the markets, more highly prized in the 
Mississippi Valley than in the eastern states.. 
The pears are very attractive in size, shape, 
and in the bright lemon-yellow color with a 
flaming cheek to the sun. The whole pear is 
characteristically marked with small russet 
dots set in a pinkish circle. Of all summer 
pears, the fruits of this one seems least in- 
clined to rot at the center, and usually keep 



longer and ship better, although the skin is 
tender and bruises easily. The flesh is buttery, 
moderately juicy, sweet and rich, with a faint, 
pleasant perfume. The fruits are small, but 
are edible almost to the very center, the core 
being very small. The tree is large, vigorous, 
prodigiously productive, as healthy as any, and 
is a remarkably handsome ornamental. De- 
spite this c;italog of virtues, Wilder Early is 
not largely planted, there being small demand 
for summer pears. Wilder Early is a chance 
seedling found by Charles A. Green, Rochester, 
New York, about 1884, in Chautauqua County, 
New York. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, rapid- 
growing, hardy, very productive ; trunk and branches 
medium in thickness and smoothness ; branches zigzag, 
reddish-brown, with numerous lenticels. Leaves 3^ 
inches long, 1% inches wide, leathery ; apex taper- 
pointed ; margin very finely serrate ; petiole 2 inches 
long, glabrous. Flowers 1 ^le inches across, white or 
tinned with pink, in dense clusters, average 7 buds in 
a cluster. Fruit ripe in late August; large, 2% inches 
long. 2% inches wide, oblong-pyriform, symmetrical: 
stem % inch long, very thick ; cavity acute, narrow, 
russeted and with rays of russet extending over the 
sides, slightly compressed, rarely lipped ; calyx large, 
open ; lobes separated at the base, long, narrow, acumi- 
nate ; basin very shallow, narrow, obtuse, wrinkled ; 
skin thin, tender, smooth, dull ; color pale lemon-yellow 
with a blush on the exposed cheek, often deepening to 
dark pink ; dots characteristically distinct, very numer- 
ous, small, russet or russet-red ; flesh white, stringy, 
tender and melting, buttery, moderately juicy, sweet, 
faintly aromatic ; quality good ; core small, closed, with 
clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube long, narrow, conical ; 
seeds long, narrow, acute. 

WINTER BARTLETT. Winter Bartlett 
is heralded from the Pacific Coast as a winter 
variety bearing fruits similar to those of Bart- 
lett. As the fruits grow in New York, there 
is a suggestion of Bartlett in the shape, color 
and flavor, but in size they fall far short. As 
the variety grows in the East, the name is a 
misnomer, several other sorts being more like 
Bartlett than this one. The season is Decem- 
ber and January, a time when there are a half- 
dozen other good pears, and since this one has 
no outstanding characters, it is doubtful if it 
will outlive a brief period of probation in 
eastern orchards. The westerners say that the 
tree is very resistant to blight. This pear 
originated at Eugene, Oregon, some time prior 
to 1880. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, scraggly, open-topped, 
hardy, productive ; branches stocky, smooth, light-brown, 
with few lenticels. Leaves 3% inches long, 1% inches 
wide, stiff ; apex taper-pointed ; margrin finely serrate ; 
petiole 2 hi incites long. Flowers 1 \^ inches across, in 
dense clusters, average .5 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe 
in December and January ; large, 3 inches long. 2 % 
inches wide, oblong-obovate-pyriform ; stem 1 inch long, 
thick, cun'ed ; cavity narrow, shallow, smooth, oblique ; 
calyx small, nearly closed ; lobes short ; basin small, 
shallow, irregular ;' skin uneven in surface ; color at- 
tractive yellow, splashed with russet and often blushed 
on the exposed cheek with bright red ; dots numerous, 
small, brownish-russet ; flesh yellowish -white, fine- 
grained, tender, juicy, sweet, pleasant-flavored ; quality 
good to very good ; core small, nearly closed, with 
meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide ; seeds large, 
long, plump, obtuse. 

WINTER NELIS. Fig. 99. Winter Nelis 
is the standard winter pear in the United 
States. Both fruits and trees possess several 



106 



WINTER NELIS 



WORDEN SECKEL 



serious faults, but these are outmatched by 
virtues which make the variety preeminent in 
its season. The fruits are small, and are often 
so poorly colored as to be unattractive, but 
well grown they are sufficiently large for des- 




99. Winter Nelis. {XV2) 

sert fruits, and with their russeted coat and 
a ruddy cheek are handsome. The flesh is 
tender, melting, juicy, luscious, with a rich, 
sweet, aromatic flavor. The fruits keep, ship, 
and sell well. The season is from Christmas 
to March, but the pears can be kept until late 
spring in cold storage. No variety is more 
difficult to grow well in the nursery, and in the 
orchard the trees are among the unmanage- 
ables. They are small or of but medium size 
with straggling, wayward tops with habits of 
growth so self-assertive that no art nor skill 
of the pruner can bring the branches under 
control. Notwithstanding the poorly-shaped 
tops, the trees are often enormously productive. 
They bear almost annually; come in bearing 
young; are fairly hardy; and are adapted to 
almost any soil or situation, provided that the 
soil is fertile; and are as nearly immune to 
blight as those of any other European pear. 
The trees are characterized by two marked pe- 
culiarities; the old wood is thickly set with 
small short spurs; and they are about the 
latest of all their kind in leafing out in the 
spring. There is no better winter pear for 
either the commercial pear-grower or the 
amateur. Winter Nelis was raised from seed 
by Jean Charles Nelis, Mechlin, Belgium, early 
in the nineteenth century. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, spreading, hardy, very 
productive ; trunk stocky ; branclies thick, zigzag, droop- 
ing, reddish-brown, marked with small lenticels. Leaves 
3 inches long, 1 V^ inches wide, elongated oval, leathery ; 
apex taper-pointed; margin crenate ; petiole IV^ inches 
long, slender. Flowers open late, 1% inches across, 
6 or 7 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe November to 
January; medium in size, 2^ inches long, 2^ inches 
wide, uniform in size and shape, obtuse-obovate-pyriform, 
symmetrical; stem 1% inches long, thick, curved; cavity 
obtuse, shallow, narrow, russeted, gently furrowed, oc- 
casionally lipped ; calyx large, open ; lobes separated at 
the base, short, broad, acute ; basin shallow, obtuse, 
lightly furrowed, s^Tnmetrical ; skin thick, tender, rough- 
ened with russet, dull ; color yellow, with many russet 
streaks and patches, the exposed cheek blushed with 
light red ; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; 



flesh yellowish-white, granular at the center and under- 
neath the skin, tender and melting, t)uttery. very juicy, 
sweet, aromatic ; quality vert- good ; core large, closed, 
axile, with clasping core-lines ; calyx-tube short, wide, 
conical ; seeds large, wide, long, plump, acute. 

WORDEN SECKEL. Fig. 100. Warden. 
Possibly no pear has been more widely adver- 
tised during the last quarter century than 
Worden Seekel. Nurserymen and pear-growers 
alike describe it as a better variety than 
Seekel, and say that it ought to take the place 
of that sort of which it is a seedling. But it 
falls short of Seekel in not being quite as de- 
pendable in different soils and climates; the 
trees are not as vigorous, and not as resistant to 
blight ; and the fruits are not as high in quality. 
On the other hand, the pears are larger and 
handsomer. Well grown, the fniits of Worden 
Seekel are voluptuously handsome in form and 
color. They are smooth, glos.sy, trim of con- 
tour, usually uniform, with a beautifully 




100. Worden Seekel. (XV2) 

blushed cheek on a handsome yellow back- 
ground. When the crop is thinned so that 
the fruits attain large size, no pear is hand- 
somer or will bring a higher price on the fruit- 
stands. The crop comes in with Seekel, but 
keeps longer. The tree is very hardy and 
bears young. Commercial growers should 
give this variety a thorough test, and amateurs 
everywhere will find it worth planting. Wor- 
den Seekel was raised by Sylvester Worden, 
Minetto, New York, about 1881. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, rapid-growing, 
very productive ; trunk thick ; branches reddish-brown, 
marked with numerous lenticels. Leaves 2^^ inches long, 
1 Vz inches wide, thick, leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; 
margin tipped with few minute glands, serrate ; petiole 
lYz inches long, glabrous, slender, tinged with red. 
Flowers showy, 1^/^ inches across, in dense clusters, 8 or 
10 buds in a cluster. Fruit ripe in late September- 
October ; medium in size, 2 ^ inches long, 2 Vg inches 
wide, obovate-acute-pyriform, sj'mmetrical ; stem % inch 
long, thick ; cavity very shallow and obtuse or lacking, 
the flesh folded up around the base of the stem and 
often lipped ; calyx open, large ; lobes narrow, acute ; 
basin shallow, narrow, obtuse, smooth or gently furrowed, 
symmetrical ; skin thin, tender, smooth, glossy ; color 
pale golden-yeliow, well blushed on the exposed cheek 
with solid bright red ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
obscure ; flesh yellowish, fine-grained near tlie skin, 
granular at the center, tender and melting, buttery, 
very juicy, spicy and aromatic ; quality very good ; core 
closed, axile, with meeting core-lines ; calyx-tube conical ; 
carpels ovate ; seeds wide, plump, obtuse. 



CHAPTER VI 
VARIETIES OF QUINCES 



The quince, the "golden apple" of the an- 
cients, once dedicated to deities, and looked 
upon as the emblem of love and happiness, for 
centuries the favorite pome, is now neglected 
and the least esteemed of commonly cultivated 
tree-fruits. Never represented by a great num- 
ber of named varieties, probably not more than 
a half-hundred in any country at any one time, 
the quince is now discarded from many nursery- 
men's catalogs and appears under two, three, 
or, at most, a half-dozen names in others. 
Nineteen varieties are listed in this text, but it 
is doubtful whether more than ten could be 
purchased true to name from American 
nurserj'raen or be found in the quince planta- 
tions of the country. For the most part, the 
descriptions are compiled. 

ANGERS. This variety is seldom or never 
grown in America for its fruit, but nurserymen 
import it from France as a stock upon which 
to dwarf pears. The trees are more vigorous 
and the leaves larger than those of other 
quinces. Angers is propagated from cuttings 
of young wood set in the autumn or from 
mound-layers. According to French pomolo- 
gists, the fruit is of value for culinary purposes; 
the flesh is a little harder than that of other 
varieties, but becomes tender on cooking. The 
crop ripens late and is reported to keep longer 
than that of any other variety. 

BENTLY. About 1890, a Mr. Bently, Elba, 
New York, brought cuttings of a quince from 
Connecticut, which, upon coming in fruit, bore 
especially fine quinces. Nelson Bogue, Batavia, 
New York, thereupon introduced it as a new 
variety under the name Bently. At the New 
York Agricultural Experiment Station trees 
from Mr. Bogue bore fruit identical with 
Orange. A few nurserymen still list Bently as 
distinct. 

CHAMPION. Fig. 101. CTiampion is one 
of the three or four standard varieties of 
American quinces, having to recommend it the 
following notable characters: The fruits are 
verj' large and handsome, with flesh almost as 
tender as that of an apple, delicate in taste 
and odor, which are imparted to any other 
fruit with which the quinces are cooked. The 
trees are large and vigorous, bear young, and 
are very productive. The fruit ripens late and 
keeps long. In the North, the quinces do not 
ripen in short seasons, and the color is often 



too green for best appearance. Champion is 
of American origin, its history dating back to 
about 1870. 




101. Champion. (X%) 



Tree vigorous, productive, e.lrlv in bearing. Fruit 
large or very large, obtuse-pj-riform, smooth or faintly 
ribbed ; stem set obliquely in a slight depression ; basin 
deep, narrow with deep narrow furrows ; color greenish- 
yellow ; pubescence very heavy ; core large, open : tiesh 
pale yellow, juicy, but firm, not spongy lilte that of 
Orange, slightly astringent, aromatic, mild subacid ; 
quality good. 

CHINESE QUINCE. For a description 
of this quince, offered by some nurserj'men as 
an edible fruit, see Chcenomeles h'agenaria, 
page 12. 

D'ALGER. This French sort has been listed 
in American catalogs since 1890, though it is 
but sparingly grown. In the quince-growing 
region about Geneva, New York, it has no 
especial value. 

Tree small, rather unproductive. Fruit large, or 
medium size, subject to a "spot disease," round at the 
base but drawn out into an acute pyriform neck ; faintly 
ribbed ; basin broad, furrowed ; stem inserted without 
depression ; color lemon-yellow ; much pubescence ; flesh 
light yellow, free from granules, rich, aromatic when 
cooked, very tender and deep red in color ; quality good 
to best. 



108 



DE BOURGEAT 



MEECH 



DE BOURGEAT. Borgeat. Little is 
known of this quince except that for a quarter 
of a century it has been listed in the catalogs 
of several nurserymen. It seems to have been 
introduced from France about 1885 by J. W. 
Adams & Co., Springfield, Massachusetts. The 
following brief description of the variety is 
recorded at the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station: 

Tree large, vigorous, healthy. Leaves large. Fruit 
late, medium in size, round with a short neck, ribbed, 
regular in outline ; stem set obliquely in a very shallow, 
russeted cavity ; basin very broad, abrupt, furrowed, 
deep ; calyx small, open ; color greenish-yellow ; flesh 
yellow, juicy, mild subacid ; quality good. 

DE MAHON. This variety occasionally 
appeared m American catalogs toward the close 
of the last century. It seems not to be listed 
now. In 1907, the fruit was described at 
Geneva, New York, as having the following 
characters: 

Fruit early or midseason, medium in size, nearly 
round with a short, thick neck ; surface covered with 
heavy pubescence ; bright yellow in color or sometimes 
greenish-yellow ; flesh coarse, rather dry, mild in flavor, 
aromatic; quality below the average. 

ELEPHANT. In Luther Burbank's catalog 
for 1919 this variety of what is called the 
Cathay quince is described as follows: 

"This enormous new type of fruit is produced in the 
greatest abundance even on quite young trees and will 
create a sensation in every market and every home, good 
specimens being a foot and a half around each way. 
Smooth bright orange, flesh yellow, turning to a deep 
pink when cooked. Unlike all others of its class it is 
superior in quality." 

FONTENAY. Pan's. Fontenay is another 
quince grown as stock for the pear. The tree 
is less vigorous than that of Angers and also 
dwarfs the pears grafted on it. It may be read- 
ily distinguished from Angers by its more 
glabrous shoots, lighter wood, and freedom 
from the short thorns with which Angers is 
armed. The trees are further characterized by 
their very upright growth. The variety is sel- 
dom grown for its fruit, which is poorer in qual- 
ity than that of Angers. The fruits resemble 
those of the Pear quince in shape and flesh- 
characters. The variety very readily roots 
from cuttings. 

FULLER. Fuller is probably the best of 
the early quinces. It is also characterized by 
the beauty of its fruits, which are rich golden- 
yellow. Unfortunately, the trees are a little 
more subject to blight than other varieties, 
and, since early quinces are not much in de- 
mand, are now seldom to be found in com- 
mercial plantations. Fuller was discovered 
about 1868 by A. S. Fuller, Ridgewood, New 
Jersey, and disseminated by him. The fol- 
lowing description is made from trees propa- 
gated from the original plant: 



set in a shallow cavity ; flesh light yellow, juicy, tender, 
free from granules, very aromatic, mildly subacid ; 
quality good to very good. 

JAPANESE QUINCE. This is the well- 
known flowering quince cultivated in all tem- 
perate climes for its brilliant flowers, which 
appear early in the spring. The fruits, how- 
ever, are used for culinary purposes; the jellies 
and conserves made from them are most ex- 
cellent. It belongs to a different species from 
the true quince, and the reader is referred to 
Choenomeles lagenaria, page 12, for a fuller 
description. 

JOHNSON. The Johnson quince was more 
or less grown a quarter century ago in Penn- 
sylvania, where it was thought to surpass the 
Orange, to which it is very similar but su- 
perior in vigor of tree. Also, the plants were 
said to be less susceptible to quince-blight 
than the Orange. The variety is still listed by 
a few nurserymen, but is probably not much 
grown. It originated with Jacob Johnson, 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about 1875. The 
following description of the fruit was made in 
1908 from specimens sent by the son of the 
originator to the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station: 

Fruit ripens with Orange and keeps well ; large, round- 
oblate, with a -short, blunt neck, compressed at the 
stem, faintly ribbed ; cavity broad, very shallow ; basin 
large, angular, furrowed, deep ; color pale yellow with 
small green dots ; pubescence heavy, the quince becoming 
smooth at maturity ; flesh yellow, juicy, mild, aromatic, 



ined. 



MEECH. Fig. 102. Meech's Prolific. Many 
pomologists believe Meech to be a strain of 
the better-known Champion. A review of the 
history and characters of the two varieties 




Tree of medium size, lackinp: in vigor, productive, 
subject to blight. Fruit very early, medium to large, 
apple-shaped but with a neck which gives some speci- 
mens the pear shape ; surface ridged ; heavily covered 
with pubescence ; calyx set in a deep, wide basin ; stem 



102. Meech. (XVa) 

shows that Meech is the older of the two 
quinces; ripens its crop two weeks earlier; is 
much less subject to blight; the trees are 
hardier, more vigorous, and more productive; 



MISSOURI MAMMOTH 



SMYRNA 



109 



and, all in all, the tnie Meech is a better 
variety than the true Champion. It would be 
difficult indeed to make sure now of getting 
the variety true to name. Meech seems to 
have been in cultivation in Vmeland, New 
Jersey, about the middle of the nineteenth 
century. It was not introduced until some 
years later, when, coming into the hands of 
Rev. W. W. Meech, it was disseminated in 
1883. 

Tree very vigorous, hardy, productive and compara- 
tively free from blight ; comes in bearing early. Leaves 
large, broad in proportion to their length and luxuriantly 
green. Flowers very large and attractive. Fruit mid- 
season, very large, pear-shaped or obscurely pyriforra, 
smooth or occasionally slightly ribbed ; stem set obliquely 
in a slight depression ; basin rather narrow, smootli or 
somewhat furrowed ; color bright golden-yellow ; very 
pubescent but becoming smooth at maturity ; fiesh 
yellowish- white, juicy, fine-grained, highly aromatic, 
tart ; quality good. 

MISSOURI MAMMOTH. About 1875, 

Missouri Mammoth received the commenda- 
tion of the Missouri Valley Horticultural So- 
ciety, and was rather largely planted in Mis- 
souri and neighboring states. Its cultivation 
seems never to have spread throughout the 
East, but occasionally a plant of the variety 
is to be found in New York, in which state 
it ripens with the Orange, but is not so de- 
sirable as that variety. In Missouri, the tree 
was thought to be healthier, more vigorous, 
and more productive, and to come in bearing 
earlier than the Orange. The variety seems 
to have originated in Massachusetts, nearly a 
century ago, thence it was carried to Ohio, 
thence to Missouri, where it was introduced 
soon after the Civil War. 

Fruit ripens with the Orange or a little earlier, very 
large, round or oblong-ovate, ribbed but with the sur- 
face smooth ; calyx set in a shallow, wrinkled basin ; 
stem short, inserted in a small, moderately deep cavity ; 
core small ; color bright lemon-yellow ; tlesh pale yellow, 
juicy, slightly astringent, very aromatic ; texture fine ; 
quality very good. 




103. Orange. (.XVz) 

ORANGE. Fig. 103. Apple. Orange is a 
group rather than a varietal name. Nursery- 
men and quince-growers are prone to call 
every orange- or apple-shaped quince "Orange" 



or "Apple." The type seems to come nearly 
true from seed, which fact accoimts for the 
several strains. These Orange quinces belong 
to the North, where they ripen late in the 
season in cool weather. In the South, they 
ripen too early, and are inferior in size, quality, 
and color to several other varieties. The name 
has long been used, but when or where it was 
first used is not known. Orange is the leading 
commercial quince in the United States. 

Tree very vigorous, hardy, productive, and as free as 
any from blight. Fruit early niidseasoii, nearly round 
with a very .sliort, thick neck, faintly ribbed ; cavity 
broad, very shallow with indications of a small, unde- 
veloped neck, russeted ; basin broad, abrupt, deep, 
furrowed ; calyx medium in size ; very pubescent ; color 
golden-yellow or sometimes greenish-yellow ; flesh pale 
yellow, tender, fine, juicy, mild subacid, becoming a 
beautiful dark red when thoroughly cooked ; core medium 
in size, wide open ; quality very good. 

PEAR QUINCE. Pear, like Orange, is the 
name of a group rather than of a variety. The 
fruits of the several strains are medium in size 
rather than large, pyriform, usually colored a 
duller and richer yellow than the Orange 
strains, not so well flavored, and ripen later in 
the season. The Pear quinces are better 
adapted to southern than northern localities. 

PINEAPPLE. Pineapple is a compara- 
tively new variety originated by Luther Bur- 
bank and sent out by him in 1899. The origi- 
nator says that the variety is the result of an 
effort to secure a quince which upon cooking 
would become tender as does the flesh of the 
apple. The flavor, Burbank says, is suggestive 
of the pineapple, hence the name. In appear- 
ance the quince resembles the Orange, but is 
smoother and more globular, lighter in color, 
and a little larger. The tree is described as 
a strong grower and as productive as that of 
the Orange. 

REA. Rea's Mammoth. Rea is a strain of 
the Orange characterized by very large quinces 
and a strong-growing, productive tree, with 
foliage a little darker than that of the true 
Orange. The fruit ripens a little later and 
keeps well after maturity. The history of the 
variety goes back to Coxsackie, New York, 
whence it seems to have been disseminated by 
Joseph Rea. The trees are tender to cold in 
the North and, therefore, in disfavor in the 
quince-growing regions of New York and New 
England ; they are also lacking in vigor, need 
high culture, and the crop should be thinned. 

SMYRNA. This is a new variety intro- 
duced from Smyrna in 1897 by G. C. Roeding, 
Fresno, California. It seems to have found a 
prominent place in California, but as yet is 
hardly tested in the East. The plant is a 
handsome ornamental. The variety is well 
worth trying. 

Tree a rapid and very vigorous grower with many 
large leaves. Fruit large, round-oblong ; surface lightly 
furroived, lemon-yellow ; season about that of Orange, 
the fruit keeping well ; flesh tender, very aromatic, mild 
subacid ; quality good to very good. 



110 



VAN DEMAN 



WEST MAMMOTH 




104. Van Deman. (XVz) 

VAN DEMAN. Fig. 104. Van Deman is a 

comparatively new candidate for pomological 
honors from Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, 



California. Its value remains to be deter- 
mined, although it has already found favor in 
some regions. The variety is described as 
follows, from trees on the grounds of the New 
York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York: 

Tree vigorous, hardy, prolific, coming in bearing early. 
Fruit ripens just before Orange ; very large, pear-shaped, 
with a short, obtuse neck, making the shape obtuse- 
pyriform ; surface smooth ; basin of medium width and 
depth ; stem set obliquely in a shallow calyx, sometimes 
surrounded by a short, neck-like protuberance ; calyx 
open, with leaf-like lobes ; color pale orange ; without 
much pubescence ; flesh pale yellow, rather coarse, 
slightly astringent, aromatic, pleasant, subacid, juicy, 
becomes deep red when cooked ; quality very good ; 
core large, wide open. 

WEST MAMMOTH. West Mammoth 
seems to be a strain of Orange, which it much 
resembles. It originated with a Mr. West, a 
pioneer nurseiyman of Stockton, California, 
some time previous to 1880, and is still listed 
by California nurserymen. 



PART II 
DRUPE-FRUITS 



CHAPTER VII 
BOTANY OF THE DRUPE-FRUITS 



A drupe is a fruit consisting of a fleshy or 
leathery, valveless exocarp {the pulp of the 
peach, plum, cherry and similar fruits) and a 
hard, bony endocarp (the stone of the fruits 
named) enclosing a single seed. The drupe- 
fruits, sometimes called the stone-fruits, are 
the almond, apricot, cherry, peach, and plum, 
represented by many species. All belong to 
the genus Prunus, a member of Rosaceee, to 
which family, as we have seen, belong also 
pomes, brambles, and strawberries. To be 
able to distinguish the species and their many 
horticultural varieties, the student must know 
the gross structure and the habits of growth 
of the great botanical group constituting the 
drupe-fruits. 

Size and habit of tree. 

Species of the stone-fruits have very charac- 
teristic trees, a glance usually enabling one to 
tell one species from another. So, also, many 
of the varieties of different species are readily 
told in the orchard by the size and habit of the 
plant. Size, it must be remembered, responds 
to environment — food, moisture, light, isola- 
tion, pests, and the like — but, making proper 
allowance, size of tree, or of its parts, is a 
reliable character by which to determine either 
species or varieties of the drupe-fruits. There 
are no true dwarfs in any of the cultivated 
drupes in America. As with the pomes, the 
terms large, small, and medium are used to 
designate size. Habit of growth is nearly as 
important as size, and as it is affected but little 
by environment, becomes a most important 
means of distinguishing groups. For example, 
the tree of a species or variety may be up- 
right, spreading, drooping, or round-topped; 
the top may be open or dense ; the branches 
may form a vase or pyramid ; the trunk may 
be short and stout or long and slender, straight 
or crooked, smooth or gnarled ; the trees may 
grow rapidly or slowly ; and may be long-lived 
or short-lived. These habits of growth not 
only help to distinguish varieties, but very 
largely determine whether the plant is suffi- 
ciently manageable to make a good orchard 
plant. 

Hardiness. 

The degree of hardines: is most important 
in classifying drupe-fruits. In the case of the 
sweet cherry, peach, and plum, varieties tol- 
erate widely varying degrees of cold ; in the 
case of the sour cherry, great differences in 
heat. In one of the classificatory schemes for 



the peach, that of Onderdonk and Price, hardi- 
ness is the chief determinant of groups. The 
range in hardiness of varieties falls within that 
of the wild species, as it is seemingly impossible 
to develop a variety hardier than the species 
from which it comes. Varieties of drupe-fruits 
are designated as hardy, halj-hardy, and tender. 
In North America, artificial protection is sel- 
dom given to tender drupe-fruits, as is often 
done in Europe, although peaches, apricots, 
and nectarines are occasionally grown under 
glass. 

Fruit-bearing. 

Productiveness, age of bearing, regularity in 
bearing, and certainty of bearing all count in 
classifying any of the drupe-fruits, though of 
much less importance for this purpose than 
in pome-fruits, since the drupe-fruits usually 
bear early and are productive and regular in 
bearing; otherwise they are not chosen for 
cultivation. The care given trees greatly in- 
fluences all of these characters, and in using 
them allowance must be made for culture, as 
also for soil, climate, light, pests, and other 
environmental conditions. Length of life must 
be noted in describing species and varieties, as 
a characteristic difference. 

Resistance to disease. 

Susceptibility and immunity to disease and 
insects are valuable taxonomic characters. 
There are great differences among varieties of 
peaches in resistance to the yellows, little- 
peach, and leaf-curl; in plums, to brown-rot 
and black-knot ; in cherries, to leaf-spot and 
gummosis; and in all drupe fruits to San Jose 
scale, borers, and plant-lice. Resistance to 
pests, obviously, is of great economic impor- 
tance, and the reactions of varieties to pests, 
so far as they can be determined, should al- 
ways be stated in a description of a fruit, 
whether or not they may be used in classifica- 
tion. Both insects and fungi may vary in 
destructiveness from year to year and, no 
doubt, the host-plant may acquire new rela- 
tionships to either insect or fungous pests. 

Bark. 

The thickness, smoothness, and manner of 
exfoliation of the bark have great value in 
determining species of drupe-fruits, but are of 
little use in distinguishing varieties. Any one 
of the ten or twelve species of cultivated plums 
can be recognized by the characters of the 
bark. Color of bark, both the outer and the 



114 BRANCHES AND BRANCHLETS 



LEAF-GLANDS 



inner, helps materially to identify all species 
of drupe-fruits, and is a means of recognizing 
many varieties. Bark is usually lighter in color 
in warm than in cold climates; in dry than 
in wet regions. On young trees, the bark is 
smoother and brighter than on old, as it is 
also in healthy, vigorous specimens. 

Branches and branchlets. 

The branches and branchlets of both species 
and varieties are very characteristic. The 
length, thickness, rigidity, branching angle, and 
direction are all very characteristic and change 
but little with variations in soil and climate. 
The branchlets may be short or slender; long- 
jointed or short-jointed; straight or zigzagging ; 
variously colored ; those of some species or 
varieties are pubescent at one stage or an- 
other, while those of others are glabrous at 
all stages of growth. It is of much importance 
with the drupes whether they are armed or 
unarmed with thorns or spurs, nearl.v all species 
being armed. In particular, the character of 
the spurs is important in identifying some of 
the native plums. The length of the internodes 
and the shape of the nodes are important char- 
acters. Although exceedingly variable, the 
presence and amount of pubescence, and the 
size, color and number of lenticels on young 
wood are important in distinguishing botanical 
and horticultural groups. The color of the 
wood is also of taxonomic importance. The 
presence or absence of excrescences is always 
to be noted, since some plums may be so 
identified. 

Leaf- and fruit-buds. 

Both leaf-buds and fruit-buds are of much 
value in separating species, and may often be 
used in distinguishing varieties. Thus, fruit- 
buds are borne in pairs with a leaf-bud separat- 
ing the members of the pair on peach wood; 
flower-buds are borne in triplets in Japanese 
plums; and in other species may be borne 
singly, in pairs, or in rosettes. Size, shape, 
color, position, and angle must all be taken 
into account. The outer and inner scales and 
the margins of the scales vary greatly, and so 
offer stable differences in different species. 
Vernation, or the disposition of the leaf-blade 
in the bud, is a fine mark of distinction in 
separating cherries from other drupe-fruits; 
and, while all cherries are supposed to be 
conduplicate (folded on the midrib so that 
the two halves are face to face), yet there are 
important differences as to the manner of 
conduplication in both species and varieties. 
Leaves of plums are usually convolute (rolled 
up in the bud), but in a few species they are 
conduplicate, an indication of the close re- 
lationship of cherries and plums. 

Leaves. 

After the fruits, leaves are the most useful 
organs as determinants of both species and 
varieties. Leaves vary but little and only 
under easily recognized conditions; as, in 



young plants, on water-sprouts, and in ex- 
tremes of soil, light, moisture, and temperature. 
Only leaves found on normal wood should 
be studied. Leaf-size is the most variable 
character of leaves, yet it serves to distinguish 
varieties in every species of drupe-fruits; size 
should be designated by figures. Leaf-form is 
the most stable leaf-character, hence especially 
valuable in classification. The bases and apices 
of leaves usually afford valuable distinguishing 
marks of the drupe-fruits. The time of ap- 
pearance and the time of dropping are impor- 
tant in distinguishing any of the drupes. The 
margins of leaves in all species in this group 
of fruits are very characteristic, and often serve 
to identify varieties as well. In studying mar- 
gins, both serrations and glands are most con- 
stant in the middle of the sides of leaves, those 
at the base and apex often being crowded or 
wanting. In the drupe-fruits the margins may 
be serrate, crenate, toothed, doubly or singly 
divided, glandular or glandless, never entire. 
Margins of leaves of the drupe-fruits are some- 
times more or less hairy. The color of leaves is 
very constant in species and varieties, when 
studied in individuals or taken in mass. Nearly 
all species and many varieties are given a dis- 
tinct aspect by their summer dress, which is 
chiefly dependent on the color of the leaves, 
that of both upper and lower surfaces being 
constant. Pubescence, texture, thickness, and 
the reticulation of leaves must be taken into 
account in determining species, but are of 
small value in naming varieties, although all 
are variable in accordance with age of leaf, 
and the soil and climate in which the plant 
grows. The petiole may be used to good ad- 
vantage in determining species and varieties. 
Thus, in consequence of the great length and 
slenderness of the petiole in sweet cherries, 
the leaves droop, while because of the short, 
stout leaves of sour cherries, the leaves are 
usually erect. The color of the petiole of the 
leaf in some stone-fruits is correlated with that 
of the fruit. Pubescence must be noted. 
Stipules offer little evidence of value in any 
of the drupe-fruits except in the cherry, with 
which fruit they have considerable value in 
separating even closely related varieties. 
Stipules appearing with the first leaves of the 
cherry are small and drop before the fruit 
ripens; stipules appearing with later leaves are 
large, borne in pairs, and remain until fruiting 
is past; the season of dropping depends much 
on the variety. Stipules of cherries are usually 
deeply toothed and bear glands of varying 
color and shape which are characteristic. 
Many of the distinguishing marks mentioned 
under leaves apply to stipules. 

Leaj-glands. 

Much use is made of the glands on leaf- 
stalks in classifying peaches. Their presence 
or absence, size, color, position, shape, and 
number must be noted, and whether stalked 
or sessile. Two kinds may be found; globose, 
those which are small globes; and reniform, 
those which are kidney-shaped. In studying 




Plate V. — Napoleon Cheery. 



FLOWERS 



FRUITS 



115 



glands, examination must be made several 
times during the season, the most characteristic 
ones being found toward the end of the sum- 
mer. Varieties of the peach with glandless 
leaves are reputed to be most susceptible to 
mildew; and, on the other hand, are said to 
be most resistant to leaf-curl. A century ago, 
European pomologists made several classifica- 
tory schemes for the peach founded on the 
glands; these are now discarded, the glands 
proving too variable. Glands on the leaf-stalks 
of other drupes than peach and apricot are 
of small value in classification, but should 
usually be noted. 

Flowers. 

The flowers of all drupes are very character- 
istic and help to delineate species and varieties. 
They differ in time of appearing; in length of 
season; in size and color; in length of pedicel; 
and both the floral and reproductive organs 
give distinctions to botanical and horticultural 
groups. In some species, as in the plums, the 
reproductive organs differ greatly in ability 
to perform their functions, many varieties 
being more or less self-sterile. The season of 
flowering is a fine mark of distinction with all 
drupe-fruits. A well-marked correlation be- 
tween the color of the inside of the caly.x-cup 
and the color of the flesh of the fruit is one 
of the distinguishing marks of the peach; 
yellow-fleshed peaches develop from the blos- 
soms in which the inside of the calyx-cup is 
orange ; white-fleshed peaches from those in 
which the calyx-cup is green on the inside. 
The fragrance of flowers in different species 
and varieties varies greatly and the character 
is constant. Many varieties of drupes may be 
recognized by the distribution of the flowers on 
the tree, since some bear their flowers on the 
ends of branches, while others produce them 
on spurs and branchlets well down on the 
branchlets. There are many flowers in the 
flower-clusters of some drupes; in others, few. 
In some varieties, the flowers are loosely ar- 
ranged; in others, compactly. 

Fruits. 

The best characters by which to make identi- 
fications of drupes are in the ripened fruits. 
Thus, depending upon size; upon whether 
smooth- or hairy-skinned, free- or clingstone, 
yellow-, white- or red-fleshed; as to whether 



the color is red, yellow or green; as to what 
the shape; most of the drupes may be easily 
identified. Following these major characters, 
many minor ones, as those having to do with 
quality and season, play an important part. 
The color of the juice is a certain dividing- 
line in cherries. Bloom, skin, cavity, apex, 
stem, and suture are among the minor charac- 
ters. The terms used in describing size in 
pomes are also used with drupes. The shapes 
of drupes are simpler than those of pomes, and 
the descriptive terms are so easily understood 
as to need no discussion here. The stem is 
much used in identifying all drupe-fruits. Its 
presence or absence is a definite distinguishing 
mark with some species, while length is an 
almost certain mark of identification of some 
cherries and plums. Thickness is of small 
importance, but color is often distinctive. The 
stems of some drupes are characteristically en- 
larged at the end, and in some they are more 
or less curved. The ease with which the stem 
parts from fruit or tree is sometimes charac- 
teristic. The cavity is described by the terms 
used in describing the cavity in pomes, but the 
apex, occupying the place of the basin in a 
pome-fruit, has special terms of description. 
It may be raised or sunken, rounded or tipped; 
the tip may be blunt, sharp, mucronate, or 
mammiform; the remains of the calyx may 
drop or be more or less persistent. The stones 
aid in determining species and sometimes assist 
in recognizing varieties. They differ in size, 
shape, grooves, ridges, in the pitting, and in 
the characteristics of base and apex. In plums 
and peaches, the stones of the freestones are 
more deeply furrowed and the sides are 
smoother than those of clingstones. Apricots 
may be divided into two groups; those with 
bitter kernels and those with sweet kernels. 
Still another division of apricots may be made 
from a difference in the dorsal suture ; in some 
apricots this suture is pervious, in others, im- 
pervious. What has been said of the flesh, 
flavor, and quality of pome-fruits applies also 
to drupe-fruits. Not that these characters are 
similar in the two groups, but the same method 
of characterization and much the same lan- 
guage are employed for the two. 

The accompanying description blank for the 
peach sets forth most of the characters students 
and fruit-growers will use in describing drupe- 
fruits. 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE PEACH 



Name Orchard. 

TREE 

Marked characteristics 

Large, medium, small 
Vigorous, medium, weak 
Upright, spreading, drooping 
Dense, open 

Vase-formed, round-topped 
Hardy, half-hardy, tender 
Very productive, productive 
Medium productive, unproductive 
Regular bearer, uncertain bearer 
SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 



Row. 



No. 



TRUNK 

Stocky, medium, slender 

Smooth, medium, shaggy 
BRANCHES 

Stocky, medium, slender 

Smooth, medium 

Shaggy, zigzag 

Red, brown, gray 

Green, glossy, dull 
Lenticels 

Numerous, medium, few 

Large, medium, small 
BRANCHLETS 

Thick, medium 

Slender, willowy 

Long, medium, short 
Internodes 

Long, medium, short 
Bark 

Red, brown, gray 

Green, glossy, dull 

Rough, smooth, zigzag 

Pubescent, glabrous 
Lenticels 

Numerous, medium, few 

Large, medium, small 

Raised or not 
LEAVES 

Length Width.. 

Large, medium, small 

Oval, ovate, obovate 

Acuminate, lanceolate, spatulate 

Abruptly pointed, acutely pointed 

Thick, medium, thin 

Light, medium, dark green 

Smooth, rugose 
Margin 

Glandular, crenate 

Finely serrate, coarsely serrate 
Petiole 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 
Glands 

Average number 

Opposite, alternate 

Large, medium, small 

Globose, reniform, mixed 

Red, green 

Position 

Stipules 

FLOWER-BUDS 

Hardy, half-hardy, tender 

Large, medium, small 

Long, medium, short 

Obtuse, conic, pointed, plump 

Appressed, free 

Pubescent 

REMARKS 



FLOWERS 

Date of bloom 

Early, medium, late 

Inches across 

Large, medium, small 

Pink, salmon 
PRTTIT 

Marked characteristics . . 

Early, midseason, late 
DATE OF RIPENING . 



KEEPING QUALITY 

SHIPPING QUALITY 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 

Length Greatest diameter. . 

Large, medium, small 
Regular, irregular 
Oval, ovate, roundish 
Oblate, cordate, oblong 
Truncate, conical 

Compressed long or opposite sutures 
Halves equal or unequal 
CAVITY 

Deep, medium, shallow 
Wide, medium, narrow 
Regular, irregular 
Flarin^j, abrupt 
SUTURE 

Shallow, medium, deep 
Distinct, indistinct 
A mere line, lacking 
APEX 

Prolonged tip, short tip 
Roundish, flattened, depressed 
COLOR 

Red, yellow, green 
Crimson, white 
Mottled, blushed, striped 
PUBESCENCE long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, thin 
SKIN 

Thick, medium, thin 
Tough, medium, tender 
Adherent, semi-free, free 
FLESH 

Red, white, green, yellow 
Juicy, medium, rather dry 
Coarse, fine-grained, stringy 
Tougli, medium, tender 
Firm, melting 
Ripens evenly, unevenly 
Sweet, subacid 
Sour, sprightly, aromatic 
Quality 
Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 
STONE 

Free, semi-cling, cling 

Length Greatest diameter. 

Large, medium, small 
Ovate, roundish, flattened 
Obovate, oval, plump 
Conspicuously winged, grooved 
Pointed, blunt, oblique 
Smooth, corrugated, pitted 
USE 

Dessert, kitchen 
Market, home 
DESIRABILITY 



116 



THE GENUS PRUNUS 



THE PEACH AND NECTARINE 117 



THE GENUS PRUNUS 

Here belong almonds, apricots, cherries, 
nectarines, peaches, and plums, constituting a 
genus that contains a greater number of dis- 
tinct, natural esculents than any other similar 
botanical group. There are in the genus some 
forty odd species of edible fruits, which, 
through long cultivation, have been broken 
up into many orchard-varieties. The distin- 
guishing characters of Prunus are: 

Trees or shrubs with astringent properties. Leaves 
eonduplicate or convolute in the bud, alternate, simple, 
serrate, petiolate, deciduous or persistent ; stipules free 
from the petiole, lanceolate, glandular, deciduous. Flow- 
ers solitary, in corymbs or racemes, appearing from 
separate buds before, with, or after the leaves ; calyx 
five-lobed ; tube ohconic or tubular, deciduous ; stamens 
15 to 20, inserted with the petals in three rows ; pistils 
with one carpel or rarely with two or more carpels ; 
ovary inserted in the bottom of the calyx-tube, one-celled. 
Fruit a drupe, with a glaucous or pubescent outer cov- 
ering, a pulpy, dry or leathery flesh covering, a bony, 
smooth or rugose pit or stone which is one- or rarely 
two-seeded. 

Nearly every botanist who has worked with 
Prunus has grouped the stone-fruits according 
to a plan of his own, and there are, therefore, 
many schemes of classification, and conse- 
quently much confusion in the nomenclature 
of this genus. Happily, these differences made 
by botanists need not confuse pomologists, for 
each of the stone-fruits constitutes a distinct 
pomological group. No fruit-grower could 
mistake in tree or fruit the peach, plum, cherry, 
apricot, or almond. For the purpose of this 
manual, one of the oldest, but still most com- 
monly used classifications is accepted, in which 
all of the drupe-fruits are placed in one genus. 
The lines of cleavage between the several 
groups of common culture are easily distin- 
guished, there being four distinct subgenera. 

1. Amygdalus. Peach and Nectarine. Leaves eondu- 
plicate in vernation. Flowers solitary, sessile or nearly 
so, appearing before the leaves. Fruit pubescent in the 
peach, smooth in the nectarine ; the flesh thick and 
succulent (dry and leathery in the almond which belongs 
to this group) ; the stone compressed, thick-walled, 
rugose and deeply pitted. 

2. Armeniaca. Apricot. Leaves eonduplicate in 
vernation. Flowers solitary, with short pedicels, appear- 
ing before the leaves- Fruit pubescent, with succulent 
flesh and a thick-walled conspicuously winged smooth 
or pitted stone ; peduncle separating from the mature 
fruit. 

3. Prunophora. Plum. Leaves eonduplicate or con- 
volute in vernation. Flowers with pedicels, borne in 
cymes, appearing before the leaves. Fruit smooth, suc- 
culent, often covered with a glaucous bloom ; stone com- 
pressed, smooth or slightly rugose, grooved on the dorsal 
and acute-margined on the ventral suture ; peduncle 
slender, usually remaining with the fruit. 

4. Cerasus. Cherry. Leaves eonduplicate in verna- 
tion. Flowers with pedicels, borne in fascicles or 
corymbs, appearing before or with the leaves. Fruits 
globular, not sulcate, glabrous, not glaucous, smooth, 
or rarely slightly hairy ; flesh succulent ; stones turgid, 
nearly globular, smooth or slightly rugose, ridged on 
the ventral suture. 



THE PEACH AND NECTARINE 

1. Prunus Persica, Stokes. Tree low, dil!Fuse ; bark 
dark reddish-brown, in old trees rough and scaly ; 
branches spreading, slender ; twigs slender, glabrous, 
glossy green changing to shades of red, with numerous, 
conspicuous lenticels. Leaves alternate, simple, 4-7 



inches long, 1-2 inches wide, oblong-lanceolate ; upper 
surface pale, with little or no pubescence ; apex long- 
tapering, base acute or abrupt ; margins serrate or 
crenate. tipped with glands or glandless ; petioles l^-l 
inch long, grooved, glandless or with 1-8 globose or 
reniform glands. Flowers from wood of the previous 
season ; flower-buds plump, conical, free or appressed, 
appearing before the leaves ; flowers of two sizes, the 
smaller size ranging under 1 inch in diameter, the larger, 
1^ inches: the floral color pure white, pink, or red; 
pedicels very short, glabrous, green. Fruit sub-globular ; 
suture usually distinct ; cavity well marked, abrupt ; 
apex with a mamelon or mucronate tip ; color varying 
from greenish-white to orange-yellow, usually with a red 
cheek, sometimes covered with red ; very pubescent 
except in the nectarine ; skin adherent or free from the 
pulp ; flesh greenish-white or yellowish, often stained 
with red at the pit, occasionally red, sweet or acidulous, 
aromatic ; stone free or clinging, elliptic or ovoid, 
compressed, pointed ; outer surfaces wrinkled and pitted, 
inner surfaces polished ; ventral and dorsal sutures 
grooved or furrowed, sometimes winged ; the seed almond- 
like, aromatic, bitter. 

The name of this fruit has brought about a 
misunderstanding as to its origin. The word 
"peach" and most of its equivalents in the 
countries of Europe are derived from "Persia." 
This has given rise to the supposition that the 
fruit originated in Persia; in fact, it is so 
stated by all the ancient Roman authors who 
mention the peach. The peach, however, 
comes from eastern Asia, where it is now 
found wild, and where Chinese records show 
that it was cultivated long before there were 
records of it in Persia or in southern Europe; 
it was grown in China 2000 years before its 
introduction into Europe. Some have believed 
that the peach is but a modified almond, but 
in the light of recent botanical and historical 
evidence this theory finds little support. 

The species is usually divided by botanists, 
who name several botanical varieties. Two 
of these are edible fruits, the nectarine and 
the Peento peach. But these two botanical 
varieties, originating again and again in the 
case of the nectarine as a bud or seed muta- 
tion, and in the case of the Peento peach prob- 
ably having originated as a mutation, are not 
more distinct from the parent species than 
the red-fleshed, the Snowball peach, the Yellow 
Transvaals from South Africa, the nippled 
peach, the cleft peach, the beaked peach, the 
winter peaches of China, or the pot-grown 
dwarfs from China; in fact, the nectarine and 
the flat peach are no more different from 
pubescent and globular peaches than the cling- 
stone is from the freestone, the yellow-fleshed 
from the white-fleshed variety, or the large- 
flowered from the small-flowered sorts. All 
may as well be considered pomological groups; 
all are becoming interminably confused by 
hybridization. 

Few other fniits are found under such varied 
conditions and over such extended areas aa 
the peach. Once a wild inhabitant of China, 
it is now cultivated in every part of that vast 
Empire where agriculture is an industry; the 
trees are so abundant and so at home in the 
orchards and forests of Turkestan and Persia 
as to have given rise to the belief that they 
have always grown there. Peaches thrive in all 
parts of southern Europe, and are grown in 
pots and on walls in northern. European lati' 



118 THE PEACH AND NECTARINE 



THE APRICOT 



tudes. Coining to America soon after Co- 
lumbus discovered the New World, the peach 
found such congenial surroundings that it 
spread rapidly and widely, leading botanists 
three centuries later to call it a native. In 
the fruit areas of the United States, after two 
centuries of cultivation, the peach is so plenti- 
ful that it is to be found fresh, canned, or 
evaporated in every home in the land, and 
the species is represented in American orchards 
by over 1000 varieties which have originated 
in this country. 

European settlers took the peach across the 
Equator in their migrations, and have made 
it a favorite fruit in the gardens and orchards 
of the South Temperate Zone. It is common 
in the colonies of South Africa; Danvin in 
his famous voyage to South America found 
a part of Argentina "thickly clothed with peach 
and orange trees"; it grows wild on the tem- 
perate and subtropic coasts in Chile, Peru, 
and Bolivia, where it is also an important 
orchard plant. In temperate Oceanica, New 
Zealand, and Australia, the peach plays an 
important part in horticulture. 

In its world-wide wanderings, the peach in 
tree and fruit has taken on most interesting 
combinations of characters not found in the 
original. Round, fiat, beaked; free or cling- 
stone peaches ; with smooth or downy skin ; 
having red, yellow or white flesh; sweet, sour 
or bitter; — all combinations of these characters 
are known to American growers of this fruit, 
but there are varieties of less well-known char- 
acters. Thus, the peach in China bears fruits 
weighing a pound apiece and having extraordi- 
nary keeping and shipping qualities ; a Chinese 
peach of the Honey type has a tree with a 
maximum height of only seven or eight feet; 
still another Chinese variety has extraordi- 
narily long leaves; another variety from China 
is a white-stoned sort; a well-known peach in 
the French West Indies has fruits that peel 
easily and withstand a continued temperature 
in the ripening season of 76 to 90 degrees; in 
Kashgar, a peach is reported that will keep 
for several months ; in Chinese Turkestan there 
is a nectarine said to keep for several weeks 
after fully ripe ; even more remarkable is the 
Feichen peach from China which ripens in 
late September, and can be kept wrapped in 
paper until February ; as remarkable as any 
is the Transvaal Yellow of South Africa which 
grows among granite boulders, as a hedge 
around homesteads, or beside water furrows 
and dams with the roots in water; the fragrant 
peach and the firm peach from China are not 
yet known in America ; nor is the Chinese 
dwarf peach, grown in pots indoors, which 
fruits at the height of fifteen inches and bears 
peaches on the main trunk, though the stem 
is scarcely larger than a lead pencil. 

The facts just stated imply two important 
things to peach-growers. First, the peach is 
an exceedingly variable fruit which is capable 
of being moulded to fit many conditions of en- 
vironment; and which, under cultivation in 
unlike regions, soils, and climates, may still 
be greatly improved by crossing and selecting. 



Second, the peach has seemingly, in centuries 
of cultivation by the Orientals, taken on suffi- 
cient immutability to make it one of the most 
stable of species. The many races and thou- 
sands of varieties are all best put in one 
species. Many varieties come true to seed; 
peaches from seed seldom revert to worthless 
forms, as so many seedling fruits habitually do. 
American poraologists loosely divide peaches 
into four groups or races. First, the Persian 
race brought to America by the early settlers, 
best represented by the Crawfords. Second, the 
North China race made up of varieties char- 
acterized by fruits of large size, great beauty, 
tender skin and flesh, and vigorous trees which 
bear abundantly and regularly; Chinese cling 
and Chinese free, early varieties of this race, 
are still as good representatives of it as any. 
Third, the South China race represented by 
varieties which bear small, oval, yellow fleshed 
fruits with a peculiar honey-sweet flavor; from 
the flavor, this race is sometimes called the 
Honey peach. It is adapted only to subtropical 
parts of America. Fourth, the Peento race, rep- 
resented by trees which are inclined to be ever- 
green and by fruits which are sub-globose or 
much flattened endwise, skin white and mot- 
tled with carmine, flesh white or yellow, and 
the flavor sweet with a peculiar almond taste; 
the stone in the flattened peaches is also flat- 
tened endwise and is either free or cling. The 
Peentos grow only in subtropical regions. It 
is now useless to try to keep these several races 
distinct. All have been and are being freely 
hybridized, producing offspring which connect 
the groups. 

Nectarines. 

The nectarine is a hairless peach. The trees 
differ in no respect from those of the peach, 
and, apart from the absence of pubescence, 
the only distinguishing marks between the 
fruits are smaller size, firmer flesh, greater 
aroma, and a distinct and richer flavor in 
nectarines. The varieties of the two fruits 
correspond in characters. In both the peach 
and the nectarine there are clingstone and 
freestone sorts; both have varieties with red, 
yellow, or white flesh ; the flowers of both may 
be large or small ; nectarine leaves in one 
variety or another show all the variations in 
glands and serrations known to the peach ; 
the stone and kernels are indistinguishable in 
the two fruits ; peaches and nectarines are 
adapted to the same soils and climatic condi- 
tions, and, wherever the peach is grown, the 
nectarine is found. The history of the nec- 
tarine goes back over 2000 years, merging into 
that of the peach. 

THE APRICOT 

Three species of Prunus are known as apri- 
cots: Armeniaca, the common apricot; Mume, 
the Japanese apricot ; and dasycarpa, the black 
apricot. The apricot-plum, Simonii, is more 
closely allied to the plums and is classified with, 
plums. 



THE APRICOT 



THE APRICOT 



119 



1. Prunus Armeniaca, Linn. Common Apricot. Tree 
small, with a round, spreading top and in color of 
bark resembling the peach. Leaves round-ovate, thin ; 
margins finely serrate ; teeth obtuse ; upper surface 
smooth, briglit green ; lower surface sniootli or nearly 
so ; petioles ^-1 inch long, with one to several glands. 
Flowers light pink. 1 inch across, borne singly, nearly 
sessile, opening before the leaves. Fruits earlier than 
those of the peach or plum ; variable in size and shape, 
smaller than those of the peach, usually compressed ; 
pubescence fine and short or nearly lacking ; yellow with 
more or less red ; flesh yellow, sometimes tinged with 
red, firm, drj', sweet and rich ; stone clinging or free, 
obovate, flat, smooth, ridged or sulcate on one suture. 

This apricot is an intermediate between the 
peach and the plum. The three fruits may 
be readily intergrafted, and the apricot and 
plum have been hybridized, the hybrid being 
called the plumcot, while a supposed hybrid 
between the peach and apricot is called the 
peach-apricot. Evolution in the fruit seems 
to progress from the plum, a smooth fruit, to 
the woolly apricot and then to the still more 
velvety peach. The flowers of the apricot are 
more like those of the plum, being usually 
white or whitish; and the stone, like that of 
the plum, is smooth or nearly so. The dorsal 
suture of the stone in some apricots is soft and 
pervious, a character not found in peaches or 
plums. The blossoms appear earlier than 
those of either peach or plum, and the fruits 
ripen earlier. The apricot is like the peach 
in shape and color of the fruits, but has a 
richer, yellower flesh, somewhat too lacking in 
juice for most palates. The trees have the 
round-headed, spreading tops of the peach, 
and bark like that of the peach. The leaves 
are broad, almost circular, more or less cordate, 
smooth and shining, easily distinguished from 
those of the peach or plum. The kernels of 
some apricots are sweet, of others bitter. 

The apricot is popular in America only in 
California, and in a few favored spots in the 
Rocky Mountains and westward. Farther east, 
the crop is destroyed by spring frosts too fre- 
quently to make apricot-growing a safe ven- 
ture. Moreover, the curculio takes too great 
toll unless combated by rather expensive treat- 
ments. Also, the fruit and its requirements 
are little known in the East. California has 
a monopoly of commercial apricot-growing 
for the world, at least nowhere else does the 
industry attain so great importance. The fruits 
are preeminently well adapted to canning and 
evaporating, and California seems to have 
captured the trade in apricots so conserved, 
an industry which requires more than three 
million trees. Apricots are grown in a small 
way, however, wherever peaches thrive. 

The common apricot grows spontaneously 
over a wide area in western and central Asia 
and as far eastward as Pekin, China. Alex- 
ander the Great is said to have brought the 
apricot from Asia to Greece, from which coun- 
try it was carried to Italy, being first men- 
tioned as a Roman fruit by Pliny in the time 
of Christ. From Italy, its culture spread 
slowly northward in Europe, reaching England 
about the middle of the fourteenth century. 
There seems to be no mention of the apricot 
in North America earlier than 1720, when it 



was said to be growing abundantly in Virginia. 
In 1792, Vancouver saw apricots growing in 
the mission orchards of California. Commer- 
cial plantations were not made in this state 
until the early part of the last half of the 
last century. There are many varieties. 

The Russian apricot is a strain of the com- 
mon apricot, although it is thought by some 
to be a distinct species to which the name 
sibirica has been given. This race differs from 
the type apricots in having a narrower and 
darker colored fruit, and in bearing smaller 
and poorer fruits. They are supposed to be 
hardier than the common apricots, but on the 
grounds of the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station, Geneva, New York, they 
have not proved hardier. The blossoms come 
out quite as early as do those of other apricots 
and are as often caught by frost. The Rus- 
sian sorts are unique in manner of fruit- 
bearing — the small, round, handsome fruits 
hang in clusters or ropes on the fruit-bearing 
branches. This race was introduced in the 
Middle West by the Russian Mennonites soon 
after the middle of the last century. 

2. Prunus Mume, Sieb. & Zucc. Japanese Apricot. 
Tree small, round, spreading, in shape and size re- 
sembling the common apricot, but with bark grayish 
green and green branchlets. Leaves smaller and duller 
than those of the common apricot, duller in color, 
narrower and long-pointed ; lower surface pubescent on 
the veins ; petiole short, ^^ inch, pubescent, glandular ; 
margin finely serrate ; teeth obtuse. Flowers large, 
handsome, fragrant, sessile. Fruits small, roimd, yellow 
or greenish ; flesh firm, dry ; poor in quality ; stone 
clinging tightly to the flesh, small, ovate, pitted. 

The Japanese apricot is grown as an orna- 
mental rather than for its fruit. Two or three 
varieties are cultivated in the United States 
for their small yellow fruits, which are so 
poor in qualit.v, however, that they have little 
value except as they add variety. This species 
is more tender to cold than the other two, 
and the blossoms open so early that there is 
not much certainty of success in its culture 
north of citrus-fruit regions, though occasional 
crops are produced as far north as Geneva, 
New York. The Japanese grow many varie- 
ties, gathering the fruits while green for 
pickling in a salt solution. But even in Japan, 
these apricots are grown for their flowers, the 
fruits being of secondary importance. 

3. Prunus dasycarpa, Ehrh. Black Apricot. Tree 
a little larger and more upright than that of the com- 
mon apricot or of the peach. Leaves long-ovate, thin, 
dull green ; margins finely serrate ; petiole usually gland- 
less. Flowers large, showy ; pedicel long. Fruit small, 
round, smooth, plum-like ; stem adhering, dark purple or 
nearly black ; flesh soft, subacid ; juicy, poor ; stone 
small, ovate, fuzzy, clinging to the flesh ; kernel sweet. 

The black apricot is wild and cultivated in 
Manchuria, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Be- 
luchistan. The tree has long been cultivated 
in Europe and the United States, but the fruit 
is small, unattractive in color, and poor in 
quality. The species is grown only in horti- 
cultural collections. In tree and fruit, the 
black apricot shows close relationship to the 
plum, its fruits being easily mistaken for dark- 
colored, round plums. The tree is rather 



THE PLUM 



DOMESTICA PLUMS 



hardier than that of the peach. There are no 
named varieties. 



THE PLUM 



Cultivated varieties of thirteen species of 
plums are found in American orchards. The 
names and relationships of these species are 
shown in the following conspectus. 



OF PLUMS 

A. Flowers in clusters of 1 or 2. (Three in P. satidna.) 
Old World plums. 
B. Leaves drooping. 
C. Shoots and pedicels pubescent. 
D. Flowers mostly in twos. 
E. Fruit large, more than I inch in diameter, 

variable in shape 1. P. domestica. 

E.E. Fruits small, less than 1 inch in diameter, 

oval or ovoid 2. P. insititia, 

CO. Shoots glabrous or soon becoming so, pedicels 
glabrous. 
D. Flowers single ; leaves hairy along the midrib on 

the under side 3. P. cerasifera. 

D.D. Flowers in threes; leaves glabrous. 

4. P. salicina. 
B.B. Leaves upright, peach-like, glabrous, veins very 
conspicuous, under side barbate at axils of veins ; 
separated from other plums by the large, flattened, 

brick-red fruits 5. P. Simonii. 

A.A. Flowers in clusters of 3 or more. American plums. 
B. Plants trees. (P. angiisHjolia rarely a tree.) 
C. Leaves broad, mostly ovate or obovate. 
D. Leaves long-ovate or long-obovate. 
E. Flowers white. 
F. Leaf-serrations glandless, acute ; petiole usually 
glandless ; stone turgid, large, pointed at the 

apex 6. P. americana. 

F.F. Leaf-serrations, glandular, wavy-crenate ; peti- 
oles glandular ; stone turgid, small, prolonged 

at the ends 7. P. hortulana. 

E.E. Flowers fading to pink. Leaf-serrations coarse, 
rounded, glandular only when young ; petioles 
bi-glandular ; stone flat, large. 

8. P. nigra. 
D.D. Leaves round-ovate, obtusely, sometimes doubly 

serrate ; stone turgid, pointed at both ends. 

9. P. subcordata. 
O.C. Leaves narrow. Lanceolate-ovate, folded upward. 

D. Fruits small, ^ inch in diameter, cherry-like ; 
petiole bi-glandular ; stone small, ovoid, turgid, 
cherry-like ; rarely a tree : tender. 

10. P. angu^tifotia. 
D.D. Fruits large, 1 inch in diameter, plum-like ; 
petioles with from 1 to 6 glands ; stone com- 
pressed and pointed at both ends ; usually a 

tree ; hardy 11. P. Mun^oniana. 

B.B. Plants shrubs. 
C Fruits dark purple ; stones pointed at both ends. 
12. P. maritima. 
C.C. Fruits red, orange or yellow but never purple ; 
stone oval, flattened 13. P. orthosepala. 

Domestica Plums 

1. Prunus domestica, Linn. Tree vigorous, open- 
headed, round-topped ; trunk attaining 1 foot or more 
in diameter ; bark thick, ashy-gray with a tinge of red, 
nearly smooth or roughened with transverse lines. Leaves 
large, obovate, elliptical, thick and firm in texture ; 
upper surface dull green, rugose, glabrous or nearly so, 
the lower one paler with little or much tomentum, much 
reticulated ; margins coarsely and irregularly crenate 
or serrate, often doubly so ; teeth usually glandular ; 
petioles V2 inch in length, stout, pubescent, tinged with 
red ; glands usually 2, often lacking, sometimes several, 
globose, greenish-yellow. Flowers appearing after or 
with the leaves, showy, 1 inch or more across, white ; 
borne on lateral spurs or sometimes from lateral buds 
on one-year-old wood, 1 or 2 from a bud in a more 
or less fascicled umbel ; pedicels ^/i inch or more in 
length, stout, green. Fruit globular or sulcate, often 
necked, blue, red or yellow ; stem ^ inch or more 
long, stout, pubescent ; cavity shallow and narrow ; apex 
variable, usually rounded ; suture prominent, a line or 
indistinct ; dots small, numerous, inconspicuous ; flesh 



yellowish, firm, sweet or acid and of many flavors ; stone 
free or clinging, oval, flattened, blunt, pointed or 
necked, roughened or pitted ; walls thick ; one suture 
ridged, the other grooved. 

This is the plum in which fruit-growers are 
chiefly interested. The Domestica plums not 
only are the best known of the cultivated 
plums, having been cultivated longest and 
being most widely distributed, but also far 
surpass all other species, both in the quality 
of the product and in the characters which 
make a tree a desirable orchard plant. Al- 
though records are vague, it is probable that 
the Domestica plums came from the region 
about the Caucasus Mountains and the Cas- 
pian Sea. What seems to be the wild form 
of this species has been found by several 
botanists in this great region. Here the Huns, 
Turks, Mongols, and Tartars, flowing back 
and forth in tides of war-like migration, main- 
tained in times of peace a crude agriculture 
long before the Greeks and Romans tilled the 
soil. The plum was one of their fruits and 
the dried prune a staple product. Here, still, 
to the east, west, and north toward central 
Asia, plums are among the common fruits, 
and prunes are common articles of trade. 
Even in the fertile oases of the great central 
Asian desert, plums are cultivated, but whether 
domesticated here or brought from elsewhere 
is unknown. At about the time of Christ, or 
somewhat before, communication had been 
opened between the Romans and the countries 
about the Caspian Sea, and a few centuries 
later hordes of Asiatics came westward and 
for several centuries continued to pour into 
eastern Europe. What more probable than 
that they should have carried dried prunes as 
an article of food in the invasions, and eventu- 
ally, as they made settlements here and there, 
have introduced the trees in Europe? It is 
certain, at any rate, that several of the groups 
of cultivated plums trace back to the Balkan 
countries of Europe and the region eastward. 

The Domestica plums are valuable food- 
producing trees in America, but have not at- 
tained the relative importance among fruits 
that they hold in Europe. From the earliest 
records of fruit-growing in the New World, 
the plum has been grown less than the apple, 
pear, peach, or cherry, while in Europe it is a 
question if it does not rank fir.st or second 
among the tree-fruits. The comparatively re- 
stricted area which the Domestica plums now 
occupy in America is due to the fact that they 
do not possess in so high degree as the fruits 
named the power of adaptation to the trans- 
Atlantic environment. Without question, the 
feature of environment most uncongenial to 
plums in America is the climate. The plum 
thrives best in an equable climate like that 
of eastern and southern Europe and of western 
America, and cannot endure such extremes of 
heat and cold, wet and dry, as are found in 
parts of eastern America and in the Mississippi 
Valley. This fruit lacks ability to withstand 
adverse conditions of any kind, whether of 
climate, culture, insects, or fungi. Thus, in 
America, this plum suffers severely, not only 



INSITITIA PLUMS 



INSITITIA PLUMS 



121 



from climate but from several parasites, as 
curculio, black-knot, leaf-blight, plum-pockets 
and other pests. 

In North America, therefore, the Domestica 
plums are confined to favored localities on the 
Atlantic seaboard, the Great Lakes regions, and 
the Pacific coast. In the first-named area they 
are to be found thriving to a limited degree 
in Nova Scotia and parts of Quebec, somewhat 
in central New England, and particularly well 
in the fruit-growing sections of New York, 
especially in the parts of this state where 
the climate is made equable by large bodies 
of water. South of New York, excepting in 
a few localities in Pennsylvania, but few plums 
of this species are grown. The Domestica 
plums are grown with indifferent success in 
southern Ontario and in Michigan, and now 
and then an orchard is found to the south 
almost to the Gulf. In the great Valley of 
the Mississippi and in the States of the Plains, 
this plum is hardly known. Westward in the 
irrigated valleys of the Rocky Mountains and 
the Great Basin, the climate is favorable and 
the European plums are nearly as well-known 
as in any other portion of the continent ex- 
cepting the Pacific coast. 

It is in the last-named region that the for- 
eign plum reaches its highest development in 
the New World. The trees in California, 
Oregon, and Washington are very thrifty, and 
the plums are of large size, handsome appear- 
ance, and high quality. Both tree and fruit in 
this favored region are free from most of the 
insect and fungous troubles with which eastern 
plum-growers must contend. Curculio and 
black-knot, scourges of eastern orchards, are 
not troublesome on the western coast. In 
this region the Domesticas, practically the 
only plums cultivated, succeed on either irri- 
gated or naturally watered lands. 

It is probable that some of these plums were 
introduced into America by the first colonists, 
but if so, the early records do not show that 
the fniit was much grown in this country until 
toward the end of the eighteenth century. 
Certainly, during the first two centuries of 
colonization in the New World there were no 
such plantations of the plum as there were 
of the apple, pear, and cherry. Among the 
first importations of plums were those made 
by the French in Canada, more particularly 
in Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward 
Island, and in favored situations such as the 
L'Islet County and the Island of Montreal 
on the St. Lawrence River. In Massachusetts 
some plums were planted by the Pilgrims, 
according to Francis Higginson, writing in 
1629. The plum was early introduced in sev- 
eral of the southern colonies; so say Beverly, 
writing in 1722 of Virginia, and Lawson in 
his history of North Carolina, written in 1714. 

Insititia Plums 

2. Prunus insititia, Linn. Damson Plums. Tree 
dwarfish ; trunk reaching 8 inches in diameter and 
bearing its head 3-3 feet from the ground ; bark gray 
with a tinge of red, smooth, with transverse cracks. 
Leaves small, obovate ; apex obtuse or abruptly pointed ; 



base cuneate or narrowed and rounded ; margins finely 
and closely, sometimes doubly serrate or crenate, usually 
glandular ; texture thin and firm ; upper surface rugose, 
dark green, slightly hairy ; lower surface paler and soft, 
pubescent ; petioles ^ inch long, slender, pubescent, 
tinged with red ; glands few or glandless. Flowers ex- 
panding with or after the leaves, 1 inch or less in size ; 
borne in lateral, umbel-like clusters, 1, 2 or rarely 3 
from a bud, on slender pedicels, whicli are pubescent 
and ^ii inch in length ; calyx-tube campanulate, glabrous 
or nearly so, green or tinged with red. Fruit globular 
or oval, often necked, less than 1 inch in diameter, 
variously colored but usually bluish-black or amber- 
yellow, with a heavy bloom ; skin thin, tough ; stem 
slender, ^ inch long, more or less pubescent ; cavity 
shallow, narrow ; apex roundish or flattened ; suture 
indistinct or a line ; flesh firm, yellow, juicy, sweet or 
acid ; stone clinging or free, turgid, ovoid, smooth, 
ridged on one edge and grooved on the other. 

The trees of the Damson plums are readily 
distinguished from the Domestica sorts in 
having a dwarfer and more compact habit; 
much smaller and more ovate leaves, with 
more closely serrate margins; branches more 
finely divided, more slender, with shorter 
joints, and bearing spines or spinescent spurs; 
having a more abundant and a more clustered 
inflorescence, with smaller flowers; a glabrous 
instead of a pubescent pistil and calyx-tube; 
reflexed calyx-lobes, whereas in Domestica 
they are often erect; and flowers appearing 
nearly a week later. The fruit-characters of 
the Damson plums are even more distinctive. 
The fruits are smaller, being less than an inch 
in diameter; more nearly round or oval; more 
uniform in shape, never strongly compressed 
as in Domestica; with a less distinct suture; 
and more often with a pronounced neck. The 
color is usually the Damson purple or the 
Mirabelle yellow, with no intermediate colors 
as in Domestica, and with few or but slight 
variations as compared with the other species. 
The plums are sweet or sour, and have a very 
much smaller range in flavor in the case of 
the Insititias. The stones are smaller, more 
oval, and much more swollen. 

In variability the Insititia plums are quite 
the reverse of the Domesticas, almost wholly 
lacking this quality. These plums have been 
cultivated over two thousand years, yet thei'e 
is seemingly little difference between the sorts 
described by the Greeks and Romans at the 
beginning of the Christian Era and those we 
are now growing. So, too, one often finds 
half-wild chance seedlings with fruit indistin- 
guishable from varieties under the highest 
cultivation. This pronounced immutability of 
the species is one of its chief characteristics. 

The hardiness, thriftiness, and productiveness 
of all the varieties of this species commend 
them to those who cannot give the care re- 
quired for the less easily grown Domesticas. 
In America, as in Europe, these plums are to 
be found in almost every orchard, and in many 
communities half-wild, thriving with little or 
no care. The fact that they are easily propa- 
gated, growing readily from suckers, and com- 
ing true to seed, is an added reason for their 
general distribution. The Insititia plums do 
not seem to hybridize freely with other species 
— at least there are no recorded offspring of 
such hybrids, though some believe the Reine 



122 



CHERRY PLUMS 



JAPANESE PLUMS 



Claudes to be a hybrid group between this 
species and the Domesticas, and there is much 
evidence in the fruit to show that the French 
Damson is part Domestica. The tree-characters 
of the Insititia plums, especially as regards 
vigor, hardiness, productiveness, and freedom 
from disease are such as seemingly to make 
hybrids with them very desirable. That this 
species can be hybridized with Domestica, at 
least, is certain from work done at the Geneva, 
New York, Station, where a number of crosses 
between them have been made. Four groups 
of plums, the Damsons, Bullaces, Mirabelles, 
and St. Juliens, comprising nearly a hundred 
varieties, may be referred to this species. 

The Cherry or Myrobalan Plums 

3. Hnmus cerasi/era, Ehrh. Tree 2.5 feet in height; 
branches upright, slender, twiggy, unarmed or sometimes 
thorny ; branchlets soon glabrous, becoming yellow or 
chestnut-brown. Leaves small, short-ovate ; apex acute ; 
base cuneate or rounded, thin, membranaceous ; texture 
firm, light green, glabrous on both surfaces at maturity, 
though hairy along the rib on the lower surface, margins 
finely and closely serrate ; petiole ^ or % inch long, 
slender, glandless, glabrous. Flowers large, % inch in 
diameter, expanding with the leaves. Fruit small, ly^ inch 
in diameter, cherry-like, red or yellow ; skin thin and 
tender ; flesh soft, juicy, sweet, pleasantly flavored ; stone 
oval, short-pointed at both ends, turgid, ridged on one 
suture and grooved on the other. 

The Cherry plum first came to notice in 
pomological literature as the Myrobalan plum, 
a name used as early as the last half of the 
sixteenth century, but why applied to this 
plum is not known. Myrobalan had long be- 
fore been used, and is still used, as the name 
of several plum-like fruits of the East Indies, 
not of the genus Prunus, which are used in 
tanning, dyeing, ink-making, and embalming. 

There are few cultivated Cerasiferas. but the 
species is generally distributed wherever plums 
are grown, because of the use to which it has 
been put as stocks for other species. For this 
purpose it is held in high esteem the world 
over. It is now used more than any other 
stock, and may commonly be found fruiting 
here and there from plants set for or used as 
stocks. In fact, practically all the cultivated 
varieties have arisen as survivals of plants 
meant for stocks. It is almost certain that 
Cerasifera, or Myrobalan stock, as it is uni- 
versally known b}' horticulturists, dwarfs the 
cion, and that it is not equally well suited 
to all varieties; but it does not "sprout" as 
badly as some other stocks, is adapted to many 
soils, and the young trees grow well and are 
readily budded, giving at the start a strong 
and vigorous orchard tree. 

Japanese Plums 

4. Prvmis salicina^ Lindl. Japanese Plum. Tree 
20-30 feet in height; trunk 6-12 inches in diameter, 
straight ; bark thick, rough, numerous corky elevations 
especially on the branches, reddish or cinnamon-brown, 
peach-like. Leaves borne abundantly, small or but 
medium size, oblong-obovate ; point acuminate or abrupt, 
prominent ; base rounded, firm, thin ; margins finely and 
closely serrated, sometimes in two series ; teeth usually 
glandular ; upper surface bright green, glabrous ; lower 
surface dull, whitish, glabrous or slightly pubescent on 
the veins; veins pronounced; petioles ^ inch in length, 
stoutish. tinged with red ; glands few or several, 
usually globose, greenish. Flowers expanding before, 



with or sometimes after the leaves, first of the plum 
blossoms to appear, very abundant, % inch in diameter ; 
3 springing from each flower-bud, often in dense clusters 
on lateral spurs and lateral buds on one-year-old wood. 
Fruit varying from very early to late ; large, 1-2 inches 
in diameter, globular, heart-shaped or conical ; cavity 
deep ; apex pointed ; suture prominent ; color bright 
red or yellow, never blue or purple, lustrous, with 
little or no bloom ; dots small, numerous, conspicuous ; 
skin thin, tough, astringent ; stem 14 inch in length ; 
flesh red or yellow, firm, fibrous, juicy ; stone clinging 
tenaciously or free, small, rough or lightly pitted, oval 
to ovate, one edge grooved, the other ridged. 

The Japanese plums are now cultivated in 
all parts of the world where plums are grown; 
yet, outside of Japan and China, they have 
been grown for their fruit less than "half a 
century. Despite the fact that these plums 
have been grown in Asia for several centuries, 
the wild form is not known. It is, however, 
almost certainly a native of China, though it 
is likely that the habitat of the species cannot 
be accurately determined until western and 
southwestern China have been explored by 
botanists, these regions as yet being almost 
unknown to foreign scientists. 

This fruit is a most valuable addition to 
pomology, no less than ninety-two varieties 
now being under cultivation in America. At 
first it was thought desirable only for the 
southern states, but it proves to be nearly as 
hardy as the Domestica plums in the north- 
em states, and is now widely distributed 
north and south. The plums of this species 
possess several striking features that commend 
them to fruit-growers. Undoubtedly the most 
valuable attribute of the Japanese plums is 
their wide range of adaptability, adapted as 
they are to a much wider range of country and 
of conditions than the Domesticas. But even 
where both types of plums succeed, the newer 
plum introduces several very desirable fea- 
tures, quite aside from additional variety 
which the many distinct sorts furnish. Thus, 
as a species, the Japanese are more vigorous 
and productive than the Domestica plums, 
earlier in coming in bearing, and freer from 
diseases, especially black-knot and leaf-blight. 
They are also less subject to curculio than 
most of the native and European species ; the 
fruits keep longer than those of the better- 
known Europeans, and ship as well. As com- 
pared with native varieties, the plums from 
Japan are larger, handscmer, and better fla- 
vored, and keep and ship better. Some dis- 
advantages are that they blossom so early as to 
be often caught by spring frosts; they are 
rather subject to brown-rot; for most part they 
are tenacious cling-stones; the species, all in 
all, is less hardy to cold than the Domestica 
plums; lastly, they are inferior in quality to 
the varieties from Europe. The last fault is so 
serious that, though the average for the Jap- 
anese plums is high, making them unquestion- 
ably more desirable inhabitants of the orchard 
than any of the native species, they cannot 
compete with the Domesticas where the two 
types can be equally well grown. 

The botanical differences between these 
Asiatic plums and those from Europe and 
America are most interesting. In general as- 



SIMON'S PLUM 



AMERICANA PLUMS 



pect, the trees of the Japanese plums in sum- 
mer or winter are much more like those of the 
American species than those from Europe or 
West Asia; so, too, the fruits are more alike in 
appearance and in quality, and the peach-like 
foliage of the Japanese might easily be mistaken 
for that of our native varieties of Hortiilana or 
Munsoniana. In the manner in which the buds 
are borne and in vernation, the resemblance 
of the oriental species to the Americanas, 
Hortulanas, and Munsonianas is again most 
striking. In Asiatic and American species the 
buds are borne in twos and threes, while in 
the European species they are more often 
single or double. As might be expected from 
their nearness of kin, the Japanese plums 
hybridize readily with the American species 
and especially with the Hortulanas and Mun- 
sonianas, species which they most resemble. 

Simon's Plum 

5. FruniM Simonii, Carriere. Tree small upright, 
dense, hardy, unproductive. Leaves folded upward, 
oblong-lanceolate to obovate. peach-like, narrow, long, 
of medium thickness ; upper surface dark green, smooth, 
shining ; lower surface pale green, not pubescent, with 
prominent midrib ; margin slightly crenate ; petiole 
short, thick, faintly tinged red, with 4 large globose 
glands on the stalk. Flowers numerous on one-year 
wood although found on spurs on the older wood ; 
appearing very early, small, pinkish-white ; borne singly 
or in pairs, often defective in pollen. Fruit early; 1% 
by 2 inches in size, oblate, compressed ; cavity deep, 
wide, flaring, regular, russeted ; suture swollen near 
the apex which is flattened or strongly depressed ; dark 
red or purplish-red, overspread with waxy bloom ; dots 
numerous, dark colored, with russet center, inconspicu- 
ous ; stem thick, characteristically short ; skin tough, 
bitter, adhering to the pulp ; tlesh rich yellow, juicy, 
tough, firm, very mild subacid with a peculiar aromatic 
flavor ; of fair quality ; stone clinging, about % inch 
in diameter, round, turgid, truncate at the base, 
tapering abruptly to a short point at the apex, with 
characteristic rough surfaces ; ventral suture narrow, 
acute or with distinct wing ; dorsal suture very blunt 
or acute, not grooved. 

All that is known of the history and habitat 
of this species is that it came from China in 
1867, having been sent to the Pans Museum of 
Natural History by Eugene Simon, a French 
consul in China. The spontaneous form has 
not been found. The general aspect of the 
tree is more that of the peach than of the 
plum, and the drupes are as much like apricots 
or nectarines as plums; but, when all characters 
are considered, the fruit can better be classed 
with the plums than with any of the other 
stone-fruits named. Simonii is widely grown 
in America for its fruits, but it cannot be said 
that it has become popular, only one variety 
of the species being now under cultivation. 
The plums lack palatability, and the trees are 
subject to too many pests. Primus Simonii 
has been successfully hybridized with P. 
salicina, and, as secondary crosses, its blood has 
been mingled with that of some of the native 
species as well. Most of its hybrid offspring 
have more value than the parent, for nearly 
all of them are free from its disagreeable taste. 

The Americana Plums 

6. Prunus americfina. Marsh. Red Plum, Yellow 
Plum, Horse Plum, Hog Plum, Sloe. Tree attaining a 
height of 30 feet ; trunk short ; bark % inch thick, 



dark grayish-brown, outer surface rough, shaggy with 
large scales giving a characteristic aspect ; branches 
spreading, crooked, long, rigid, but often pendulous 
at the extremities, more or less thorny, with lateral, 
spinescent branchlets ; branchlets light green, usually 
glabrous, sometimes much or little tomentose, at first 
brownisn, later tinged with red ; lenticels numerous, 
large and distinct. Leaves oblong-obovate, acuminate 
at the apex and rounded at the base, firm in texture, 
becoming coriaceous ; margins sharply serrate, often 
doubly serrate, the coarse and double serrations char- 
acteristic ; glabrous or sliglitly pubescent, coarsely 
veined ; midrib grooved on tlie upper side ; petioles 
slender, % inch in length, usually glandless. Flowers 
expanding after •the* leaves, large, 1 inch in diameter, 
borne in lateral umbels, two- to five-flowered, mostly 
on one-year-old wood ; pedicels i/^ incli long, slender, 
glabrous. Fruit variable in ripening period ; globose, 
conical, oval, or oblique-truncate, 1 inch in diameter, 
red or yellowish, dull, with or without bloom ; dots 
pale, numerous, conspicuous ; cavity shallow or lacking ; 
suture a line ; skin thick, tough, astringent ; flesh 
golden-yellow, juicy, fibrous, sweet, acid ; stone clinging 
or free", turgid or flattened, the apex pointed, ridged 
on the ventral and grooved on the dorsal suture ; surfaces 
smooth. 

This is the predominating native plum. It 
is the most widely distributed of all the native 
species, is most abundant in individual speci- 
mens, and has yielded the largest number 
of horticultural varieties. Because of its 
prominence and comparatively high degree of 
permanency of characters, it may well be con- 
sidered the type from which has sprung not 
only its botanical varieties but several others 
of the American species. Its variability, also, 
is shown in its many diverse horticultural 
varieties; and of its adaptability, it may be 
said that it flourishes in nearly all soils and 
exposures, and is found wild or cultivated from 
Maine to Florida, and northward from Mexico 
along the eastern slope of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, well into Canada. 

The plums of this species in the Mississippi 
Valley are distinguished from the eastern and 
typical form by fruits having a length greater 
than the diameter, by different aspect of tree, 
and by flatter seeds, which are usually con- 
spicuously longer than they are broad. All 
the cultivated varieties come from the western 
form. The plant of P. amcricana in the dry 
plain regions of Kansas and Nebraska becomes 
shrubby in character, while on the alluvial 
bottom lands along the streams in this region 
it retains the character of a tree. In the 
southern limit of its range, the leaves are more 
or less pubescent on the lower surface. As the 
species occurs throughout western New Mex- 
ico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and 
Manitoba, it differs enough from the eastern 
types to be considered a sub-species, having a 
wholly different aspect of tree, silvery and 
somewhat scurfy twigs, smaller, thinner, and 
lighter-colored leaves, and smaller fruits with 
more roundish stones. 

The domestication of Americana plums is 
due to the fact that the plums of Europe will 
not thrive in the Mississippi Valley, the prairie 
states, nor, for the most part, in the South. 
The European species are tender both to cold 
and heat in these regions, and they are at- 
tacked by those scourges of plum-culture, 
black-knot, leaf-blight, and curculio. If, then, 
the people in the West and South were to 



124 



AMERICANA PLUMS 



HORTULANA PLUMS 



have plums at hand when wanted, the wild 
species had to be brought under cultivation. 
Where the two will grow side by side, it is 
doubtful whether any one would choose to 
grow the Amencanas in preference to the Eurc^- 
peans even for the sake of variety. 

The fruit is reddish or yellowish, or a blend- 
ing of the two, with the red varieties predomi- 
nating. Often the color is more nearly orange 
than red or yellow — in fact, pure yellow fruits 
cannot be found. Wild or cultivated, the 
fruits of the Americana plums vary greatly in 
season, size, shape, and flavor. In the orchard, 
the period of maturity covers a range of sev- 
eral weeks, beginning in August and ending in 
October; in the wild, trees in the same thicket 
may vary as much as three weeks in ripening 
their fruit. The size of the cultivated sorts 
ranges from that of a Damson to that of some 
of the Gages; the shape is round-oval, or quite 
oval, sometimes oblique and sometimes trun- 
cate at one or both ends, and often more or 
less compressed. The wild fruits have a pleas- 
ant flavor, and this is much improved under 
cultivation, so that when fully ripe the flesh of 
some sorts is sweet and luscious, hardly sur- 
passed, if the skin be rejected, by the best 
Domesticas. The skin is usually thick, coriace- 
ous, acerb or astringent ; this with the tena- 
ciously clinging stones is the chief defect of 
these fruits. In some varieties skin and stones 
are far less objectionable than in others. 

The trees are not very manageable in the 
orchard. They make a very slow growth and 
are hard to control, producing at maturity 
many leaning trunks that are often crooked, as 
are also the branches, which, with the unkempt 
heads, give an impression of waywardness and 
wildness. Nearly all of the varieties over-bear, 
and, unless thinned, the fruits are so small as 
to be hardly worth harvesting; not infrequently 
trees die from over-bearing. A few varieties 
are unfruitful, but usually because of defective 
pollination. Nearly all sucker badly on their 
own roots, and, e.xcept in cold regions, should 
be grown on other stocks. In general, there 
are fewer pests to combat with these than 
with the European plums, yet they are far 
from being exempt and require quite as much 
spraying as do other plums. 

The Americana plums are all hardy, and 
some of the varieties can be grown as far 
north as general agriculture is practiced. This, 
with the Nigras, will probably always be the 
chief group for dry, cold regions between the 
great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains. It 
may also be relied upon in the colder parts 
of New York and New England. The flower- 
buds as well as the trees are hardy, having 
been known to withstand a temperature of 
forty degrees below zero. Since the blossoms 
open comparatively late, there is less damage 
from spring frosts in this than in most other 
species, even of the natives. 

Pninus americana mollis^ Torrey and Gray. Woolly- 
leaved Plum. This is a western and southwestern form 
of P. americana, the sub-species being distinguished from 
the species by the amount and character of the 
pubescence on the leaves and shoots. The leaves, 



petioles and shoots of this plum are soft-pubescent, 
almost tomentose, the tomentum being pale in color 
and usually very dense ; the calyx-lobes are pubescent 
on both sides and the pedicels are appressed and densely 
pubescent. 

It is impossible to give the range of the 
group, as the woolly-leaved plum of the West 
gradually passes into the smooth-leaved species 
of the East, and the two forms are not in- 
frequently mixed in the South and Southwest. 
It can only be said that the sub-species is to 
be found in the greatest abundance in the 
region extending from southern Iowa through 
Missouri. Only two varieties of this plum, 
Wolf and Van Buren, are in general cultiva- 
tion. In neither fruit- nor tree-characters do 
these differ greatly from the Americana plums. 

The Horlulana Plums 

7. Fnmus hortulana, Bailey. Tree 30 feet or more 
in height ; trunk and branches rough and shaggy ; bark 
gray-brown, thick and containing deposits of red cells 
when the bark is sectioned ; branches very spreading 
and open, twiggy, slender, thorny ; branchlets light 
green at first, becoming reddisli-brown, glabrous and 
glossy ; lenticels few, large, very coarse, raised. Leaves 
1%, inches wide, 3 to 5 inches long, long-oval with a 
tapering, pointed, acuminate apex, peach-like, thin» 
becoming leathery; margins serrate, sometimes in a 
double series, glandular ; upper surface smooth, glossy, 
glabrous ; lower surface light green, glabrous except 
on ribs and veins which are very pubescent, with 
characteristic orange color ; midrib groo^'ed above, 
rountled below, very prominent ; petioles slender, 1 inch 
in lengtli, tinged with red ; glands 2-8, small, globose. 
Flowers expanding after the leaves, blooming later than 
any other cultivated plum, % inch across ; odor dis- 
agreeable ; clusters borne from lateral buds on one- 
year-old wood only, characterizing the species, the 
fruit-spurs making a very long growth ; 2-6 flowers from 
a bud : pedicels % inch long, very slender, glabrous. 
Fruit very late, globose, oval, 1 inch in diameter ; color 
red or yellow ; dots numerous, small, conspicuous ; 
suture very siiallow or only a line ; skin thick, tough, 
astringent ; tiesh golden-yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, 
firm, mildly sweet, astringent at the pit, aromatic; 
stone clinging to the flesh, turgid, long-oval, small, 
prolonged at the ends, the surfaces rough and reticulated. 

This species gives to American pomology a 
very distinct and valuable group of plums 
which are adapted to a wide range of condi- 
tions, especially of climate. The Hortulanas 
are particularly well-suited to the Mississippi 
Valley and southern states, and fruit well as 
far north and east as New York. The product 
of Wayland, Kanawha, and Golden Beauty, 
best known of the score of plums belonging to 
this species, is especially suitable for preserves, 
spicing, and jelly, being unsurpassed for these 
purposes by any other plums excepting Dam- 
sons. They are quite too acid, and the flesh 
clings too tenaciously to the stone for dessert 
plums or even for ordinary culinary purposes. 
These plums, having firm flesh and tough skins, 
ship and keep well, and, since they are the 
latest of the native plums in ripening, extend 
the season for this fruit very materially. The 
Hortulana plums hybridize freely with other 
native species, and their hybrids are such as to 
commend this species very highly to plum- 
breeders for hybridization. 

Prunus hortulana Mineri, Bailey. The sub-species 
differs from the species in having shorter, stiffer, less 
graceful branches ; leaves smaller, thicker, rougher and 
of a bluish-green cast ; the blossoms of the two are 
much the same, but those of the sub-species open a few 



NIGRA PLUMS 



SUBCORDATA PLUMS 



125 



days earlier; the fruits of the sub-species are larger 
than those of the species, lighter red, have more bloom, 
are less firm in texture, ripen earlier, yet later than 
those of anv other species, and are quite different in 
flavor, having more nearly the taste of the fruit of 
P. aviericana ; the stones, as well as the fruits, are very 
different, being in the sub-species larger, broader, flatter, 
smoother and less pointed. The chief representatives 
of the Miner-like plums under cultivation are Miner, 
Forest Rose, Prairie Flower and Clinton. 

In the orchard, the Miner-like plums behave 
much like the Americana plums. In some re- 
spects the fruits are an improvement upon 
those of the Americana varieties. Thus, the 
skin is usually less tough and brighter in color ; 
and the flavor is a little better. These plums 
seem to be nearly or quite as hardy as the 
Americanas, and are adapted to quite as wide 
a range of soils. The trees of the Miner-like 
plums are more amenable to domestication 
than those of P. amcricana, having as orchard 
plants straighter trunks, more symmetrical 
and less unkempt tops, and making larger 
trees. The fruits ripen so late as to make the 
varieties of this group especially valuable in 
prolonging the season for plums in regions 
where native varieties are grown exclusively. 

The Nigra Plums 

8. Prunus nigra. Ait. Canada Plum. Tree small, 
seldom exceeding 20 feet in height ; bark thin, *^ inch 
thick, dark red or light gray-brown, rough, but not 
shaggy, with thick scales : branches upright, stout, 
rigid, armed with stout, spiny spurs ; brancidets more 
or less zigzag, glabrous or tomentose, green, later 
becoming reddish-brown. Leaves large, broad-oval, obo- 
vate, with a long-acuminate apex and cuneate or sub- 
cordate base ; margins doubly creiiate-serrate, with 
teeth tipped with glands which disappear as the leaves 
mature ; thin and firm in texture ; upper surface light 
green, glabrous, the under surface pale, pubescent when 
young ; petioles % inch long, stout, with two large, 
dark red glands near the blade. Flowers expanding 
before or with the leaves, large, sometimes 1 Vi inches 
across; borne in three- or four- flowered lateral umbels 
on slender, glabrous, red pedicels ^ inch or more in 
length. Fruit early ; round-oblong, 1 inch in diameter, 
red, orange or yellowish in color, with little or no 
bloom ; skin thick, tough and astringent ; flesh yellow, 
firm, often acid or astringent ; stone clinging, large, 
oval, compressed, thick-walled, with a sharp ridge on 
the ventral and a slight groove on the dorsal suture. 

The Nigra is the most northern of the 
American plums, being an inhabitant of a 
region bounded on the north by a line passing 
from southern Newfoundland westward to the 
Strait of Mackinac, thence southward to Lan- 
sing, Michigan. The species is common in 
New England, northern New York, where it 
is sometimes cultivated about houses, and 
westward at least as far as the eastern shore 
of Lake Michigan. In the great region out- 
lined above, it is distributed in more or less 
scattered localities, being found usually in the 
valleys of rivers and streams, though often 
on high lands and in open w'oods. 

The Nigra plums are important horticul- 
turally because they can be grown in colder 
regions than the Americanas. They not only 
endure more cold than the last-named group, 
but their tough wood enables them to stand 
better the weight of snows and the stress of 
winds. Earliness in ripening, also, prolongs 
the season for this type of fruit; and, in re- 
gions where the season is short, the Nigras 



may be grown with more certainty than other 
groups. About forty varieties of this species 
are under cultivation. 

The Subcordata Plums 

9. Prunus subcordata, Benth. Western Plum. Tree 
small, rarely attaining a height of 25 feet, sometimes a 
shrub 10 or 12 feet high, often a bush but 3 or 4 feet 
in height ; bark gray-brown and deeply fissured ; 
branches stout and spreading ; branchlets glabrous or 
pubescent, bright red becoming darker red and finally 
a dark brown or gray ; lenticels minute, white. 
Leaves round-ovate, sub-cordate, truncate, or cuneate 
at the base ; margins sharply or obtusely serrate, some- 
times doubly serrate ; young leaves pubescent, at ma- 
turity nearly glabrous, coriaceous, with very conspicuous 
midribs and veins. Flowers white, fading to rose, 1 
inch across ; appearing before the leaves ; usually bortie 
in threes on short, pubescent pedicels. Fruit ripens in 
late summer or early autumn ; round-oblong, 1 inch in 
length, borne on a short, stout stem ; flesh subacid, 
clinging to the flat or turgid stone which varies greatly 
in size, pointed at both ends, crested on the ventral edge 
and grooved on the other. 

The Subcordata plums are inhabitants of 
the region east of the Coast Range from south- 
ern Oregon to central California. The species 
is so rarely found on the seacoast as to have es- 
caped the attention of the early botanists and 
remained unknown until the middle of the 
nineteenth century. This plum is one of the 
standard food products of the aborigines in 
the region in which it grows ; and is sometimes 
dried at the harvesting places and carried 
considerable distances to the Indian villages. 
The trappers, the first men to enter the habitat 
of this plum, followed by the gold-seekers and 
ranchers, all knew and esteemed the fruit. 
The early settlers regarded it as the most use- 
ful of all the wild fruits of the Coast, and 
attempts were made at an early date to do- 
mesticate it. 

In its typical form, P. subcordata is a shrub, 
but under favorable conditions attains the di- 
mension and shape of a small tree. In its 
roundish, roughish leaves it so closely re- 
sembles the Old World type of plums that it 
becomes the nearest approach to them to be 
found among American species. But in the 
globular, red or purple sub-acid fruit, it be- 
trays its affinity to the American plums, as it 
does also in the flat, turgid, smooth stones to 
which the flesh tenaciously clings. The fruit 
is sometimes so poor in quality as to be in- 
edible; but, on the other hand, is sometimes 
quite equal to some of the cultivated plums, 
especially in its botanical variety, Kellogii. 

Prunus subcordata Kellogii, Lem. Sisson Plum, Gray- 
branch Plum. Prunus subcordata Kellogii is distin- 
guished from tlie species in being a somewhat taller 
and more slender plant. The branches and bark are of 
a characteristic ash-gray, so distinct in color from 
P. subcordata that this is often called the "Gray- 
laranch" plum. The leaves are orbicular or elliptical, 
not cordate, cuneate at the base and nearly glabrous. 
The fruit is bright yellow instead of red, and is larger 
than that of the species, being an inch or more in 
diameter with a more nearly free stone. This plum 
inhabits the regiori of Mount Sltasta. where it has been 
known since the time of the early gold diggers ; it 
attracts more attention as a food, antl promises more 
for the cultivator tlian the species. Locally, it is known 
as the Sisson plum, after a Mr. Sisson living near 
Mount Shasta who brought it to notice. At present, 
this plum seems to be the branch of promise for the 
improvtraent of the wild plums of the western coast. 



126 



ANGUSTIFOLIA PLUMS 



MUNSONIANA PLUMS 



The AngustijoUa Plums 

10. Prunus angustifolia. Marsh. Mountain Cherry. 
Plant seldom a true tree, usually, however, forming a 
distinct trunk with a twiggy, bushy top ; bark thin, 
dark reddish-brown, slightly furrowed or roughened, 
scaly ; branches slender, zigzag with long, thin thorns 
or epine-like branchlets ; branchlets slender, zigzag, 
glabrous, glossy, bright red. Leaves folded upward, 
oblong-lanceolate, pointed at both ends, thin, mem- 
branaceous ; margins closely and finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with glands ; upper surface glabrous, lustrous, 
bright green ; lower surface glabrous or pubescent in 
the axils of the veins, dull, % inch wide and 1-2 inches 
long ; petioles ^ inch long, slender, glabrous or 
tomentose, bright red with two red glands near or on 
the base of the leaf. Flowers appearing with or before 
the leaves, small, less than ^ inch across, very nu- 
merous ; umbels sub- sessile, 2- to 4-tlo\vered. from 
lateral spurs or buds ; pedicels glabrous, slender, */^ inch 
in length. Fruit ripening early ; ovoid, % inch in 
diameter, bright red, sometimes yellow, glossy, with 
little or no bloom ; dots numerous, very conspicuous ; 
skin thin ; flesh tender, juicy, yellow, subacid ; stone 
small, clinging, ovoid, turgid, roughened, cherry-like, 
edges rounded, the dorsal one grooved. 

This plum is found in the wild state from 
southern Delaware to Florida and westward 
to the Panhandle of Texas and southern Okla- 
homa. It usually grows in rich soils, but is 
found as well in worn-out fields and pastures, 
most often in thickets of small trees or thorny 
shrubs or scraggly bushes, producing under the 
latter conditions small fruits so like cherries 
as to give it the name in some localities of 
*' Mountain Cherry" (Maryland), and in others 
of "Wild Cherry" (Louisiana). 

Since the species has been long known, and 
is so near at hand to fruit-growers, without 
more of its offspring coming under cultivation, 
it is not likely that it may be counted upon 
to furnish much for the orchard. Neither 
trees nor fruits are promising for the cultivator. 

Prunus angustifotia Watsoni, Waugh. Sand Plum. 
Shrub 4-10 feet high ; branches slender, short- jointed, 
zigzag, reddish-brown ; branchlets at first bright red 
and lustrous, later becoming brownish-red or sometimes 
ashy-gray. Leaves small, ovate ; apex acute ; base 
rounded or cuneate ; margins finely crenulate ; upper 
surface glabrous, shining ; lower surface paler, glabrous ; 
petioles reddish, ^ inch in length, bi-glandular at the 
apex. Flowers in fascicles of 2-4, borne with or before 
the leaves and in great abundance. Fruit % inch in 
diameter, globose, sometimes oblong, orange-red, bloom- 
less ; skin thin, tender ; flesh yellow, juicy, tender, 
pleasant flavor ; stone turgid, compressed at the apex, 
thick- walled, round on the ventral and sometimes on 
the dorsal suture. 

This is the sand plum of the plains, an 
inhabitant of southern and southeastern Ne- 
braska, central and western Kansas, and pos- 
sibly passing into western Oklahoma. It is 
usually found along the banks of streams and 
rivers, where it often forms shrubby thickets. 
The wild plums are held in high esteem for 
dessert and cuiinar>' purposes, and are oc- 
casionally transplanted to the garden or or- 
chard. From such transplantings a half dozen 
varieties have arisen. The productiveness, 
hardiness to heat and cold, and the size and 
quality of the fniits should attract plum- 
growers in the region of its habitat and ex- 
perimenters elsewhere as well. The Sand plum 
differs from Angustifolia in its dwarfer habit; 
shorter-jointed, zigzag, ashy-gray branches; 
smaller but thicker leaves; large, thicker- 



skinned, and better-flavored fruit, which ripena 
later; and in a smaller and somewhat differ- 
ently marked stone. 

Prunus angustifolia rarians, Wight and Hedrick. 
Plant a small tree, attaining a height of 25 feet ; trunk 
small but well-defined ; branches spreading, bushy, 
armed with spinescent branchlets ; young wood slender, 
zigzag, glabrous, glossy, reddish but approaching a 
chestnut-brown. Leaves oval-lanceolate, 1-2 inches long, 
1 inch wide, narrowed at the base, acute at the apex ; 
margins very minutely glandular-serrate ; upper surface 
glabrous and lustrous ; lower surface paler, glabrous ; 
petioles slender, reddish, about ^/^ inch long, pubescent 
along the upper side, eglandular or with 1 or 2 glands 
at the apex. Flowers appearing before the leaves in 
the South and with tlie leaves in the North ; ^ inch 
broad ; pedicels % inch long, glabrous. Fruit globose, 
red or yellow, with light bloom ; stone about % inch 
long. % inch broad, turgid, ovoid to elliptic-oblong, 
obscurely pointed at the apex or sometimes slightly 
obtuse, truncate or obliquely truncate at the base, 
grooved on the dorsal edge ; ventral edge with a narrow, 
thickened and sli-;htly grooved wing, the surfaces ir- 
regularly roughened. 

In the wild. P. angustifolia varians forms 
dense thickets, the larger specimens attaining 
a height of ten or twelve feet. When budded 
and grown in the orchard, the plant is a small 
tree with well defined trunk and spreading 
branches, sometimes armed with slender 
spmescent branchlets. The sub-species is dis- 
tinguished from the species by more robust 
habit; the young twigs less reddish; by pedi- 
celed flowers ; and by the stone in most cases 
being more pointed at the apex. It occurs 
locally from southern Oklahoma through east- 
ern Texas southward possibly to the Colorado 
River, and probably westward to the Pan- 
handle region. The fruit of the sub-species 
appears to be superior to that of the species. 
Hybrids between this form and P. Munsoniana 
occur freely both in the wild state and under 
cultivation. The varieties Eagle and El Paso 
have probably originated in this way. Nearly 
all of the plums belonging to this species, 
some twenty in all, are tender to cold, and 
none succeeds in the North. African, Cluck, 
Jennie Lucas, and Yellow Transparent may be 
named as representative varieties. 

Munsonmna Plums 

11. Prunus Munsoniana, Wight and Hedrick. Tree 
medium to large, from 20-30 feet in height ; bark 
grayish-brown, shaggy, furrowed ; branches spreading, 
slender, zigzag, little or not at all thorny ; branchlets 
slender, zigzag, reddish, lustrous, glabrous. Leaves 1% 
inch wide, 4 inches long, oblong-lanceolate ; apex acute 
or tapering, rounded at the base, texture thin ; margins 
closely and finely serrate ; teeth with small, dark red 
glands ; upper surface bright green, glabrous, lustrous ; 
lower surface dull green, pubescence sparse along the 
midrib and veins or sometimes tufted in the axils ; 
petioles slender, about % inch long, reddish, usually 
with two glands at the base of the leaf-blade. Flowers 
appearing before or with the leaves ; season of blooming 
late ; about % inch across ; odor disagreeable ; 2 or 4 
flowers in a cluster ; pedicels \^ inch long, slender, 
glabrous. Fruit early ; globose. 1 inch in diameter, 
bright currant-red, rarely yellow ; bloom thin ; dots 
conspicuous ; cavity shallow, narrow ; suture a line ; 
apex rounded ; flesh light yellow, juicy, soft, fibrous, 
sweet; aromatic; stone clinging, prolonged at the apex, 
obliquely truncate at the base, roughened, grooved on 
the dorsal edge, thick- ma i^ined and grooved on the 
ventral one. 

Horticulturally, this is the most important 
group of native plums for the South; it con- 



MARITIMA PLUMS 



THE SOUR CHERRY 



127 



tains a greater number of cultivated varieties 
than any other native species excepting P. 
americana, no less than sixty sorts, some of 
which are deservedly the best known of the 
native plums for either home or market use. 
For dessert or the kitchen the fruits are par- 
ticularly valuable, having a sprightly vinous 
flavor which makes them pleasant to eat out 
of hand or when cooked. Their bright colors, 
semi-transparent skins, and well-turned forms 
make them very attractive in appearance. Un- 
fortunately, nearly all of the varieties of this 
species are clingstones. This group h.ybridizes 
more freely than any other of the plums, and 
there are a great number of promising hybrids. 
Of all plums, these are most in need of cross- 
pollination, some of the varieties being nearly, 
or, as in the case of Wild Goose, wholly self- 
sterile. While these plums are especially 
valuable in the southern states, some of them 
are desirable in the North as well, where all 
will grow at least as far north as central New 
York. The leading varieties under cultivation 
are Arkansas, Pottawattamie, Robinson, New- 
man, Wild Goose, and Downing. 

Maritima Plums 

12. Prunus maritima. Marsh. Beach Plum. Shrub 
4-10 feet high ; main i)ranches decumbent and strag- 
gling or upright and stout ; bark dark brown or reddish, 
more or less spiny, often warty ; branchlets pubescent 
at first, dark reddish-brown, slender ; lenticels few, 
small, dark. Leaves obo\ate, short-acute, rounded at 
the base ; margins closely and evenly serrate, thin and 
somewhat leathery ; petioles less than ^ inch long, 
stout, tomentose or glabrous ; glands two, sometimes 
more, at the base of the leaves. Flowers small, appear- 
ing before the leaves; borne in 3-Howered umbels closely 
set along the rigid branches. Fruit maturing in late 
summer ; % inch in diameter, globose, flattened at the 
ends ; cavity shallow, borne on a slender pedicel % inch 
in length, dark purple with a heavy bloom, sometimes 
red, less frequently yellow ; skin ' thick, tough and 
acrid ; flesh crisp, juicy, sweet ; stone free from the 
flesh, small, turgid, pointed at both ends, cherry-like, 
acutely ridged on one and grooved on the other edge. 

This species, in its typical form, is an in- 
habitant of the sea beaches and sand dunes 
from New Brunswick to the Carolinas, or pos- 
sibly farther south, growing inland usually as 
far as ocean soil formations extend. As it 
leaves the seaboard, marked variations make 
their appearance, chief of which are smaller, 
more oval, smoother, and thinner leaves and 
smaller fruit. In the region where it is found 
wild, the Maritima plum is a rather common 
article of trade. The fruit is used for both 
dessert and culinary purposes, chiefly for the 
latter. 

This plum has a number of qualities that 
commend it to the fruit-grower. Since in 
the wild it grows on sandy soils, it is not likely 
under cultivation to make great demands on 
either the moisture or the fertility of soils. The 
plant is very hardy, very productive, seldom 
fails to bear, and seems to be free or nearly so 
from some of the pests of cultivated varieties. 
Two objections to the wild fruits are that 
when the fruit is harvested the juice often 
exudes from the wound made by the parting 
from the stem ; and the secretions of some 
dark-colored substance form a hard core in 



the pulp, which gives a bitter taste to the 
fruit. The last defect is common in the wild 
plums, and is probably due to the sting of 
an insect. 

Orthosepala Plums 

13. Prunus orthosepala, Koehne. Shrub 4 or 5 feet 
high : branches dense and twiggy ; stems armed with 
slender spines ; bark separating in large loose scales ; 
branchlets stout, reddish-brown. Leaves oblong-ovate, 
thin, acuminate, long-pointed, ly^-Z inches long, % inch 
wide, unequally rounded at the base ; margins closely 
serrate with incurved, calloused teeth ; upper surface 
glabrous, light green ; lower surface paler and pilose ; 
petioles slender, grooved, puberulous, ^ inch long ; 
glands 2, large, at the ape.x of the petiole. Flowers 
appearing after the leaves ; borne in 3- or 4-flowered 
fascicles on stout pedicels Vz incli long. Fruit globose, 
1 inch in diameter, deep red with a heavy bloom ; skin 
thick ; flesh yellow, juicy ; stone flattened, oval, slightly 
rugose, deeply grooved on the dorsal and ridged on 
the ventral edge. 

Prunus orthosepala is a true plum, closely 
related to P. hortulana, from which it can be 
distinguished by the smaller number of glands 
of the petioles, by the eglandular calyx-lobes, 
the dark colored fruit and smoother stone. A 
cultivated plum, taken from the wild, locally 
known as the Laire, in Rooks and neighoring 
counties in Kansas, is the only variety of P. 
orthosepala. 



Botanists enumerate about 120 wild cherries, 
of which but five are cultivated for their fruits, 
and but two have given pomological varieties 
of value in the fruit industry of the world. 
The sour cherrj-, P. Cerasus, is the most impor- 
tant species in America. 

The Sour Cherry 

1. Prunus Cerasus, Linn. Tree reaching a height of 
20 to 30 feet, diffuse, open-headed, round-topped ; bark 
reddish-brown overlaid with ashy-gray, smooth ; branches 
spreading, slender ; branchlets willowy, glabrous, reddish- 
brown overspread with ashy-gray. Leaves resinous at 
opening, very numerous, 3-4 inches long and %-2 inches 
wide, obovate, thick and firm in texiure ; upper surface 
dark green, smooth ; lower surface paler, pubescent : 
apex acute ; base abrupt ; margins finely serrate, often 
doubly so ; teeth tipped with small, dark glands ; petioles 
from"%-2 inches long, slender, grooved; glands 1-4. 
Flowers appearing with or after the leaves, showy, 1 
inch across, white ; borne in scaly clusters on one-year- 
old wood; pedicels Vi-1% inches in length, slender. 
Fruit round-oblate or cordate, sides compressed ; suture 
indistinct ; cavity well marked ; apex depressed ; color 
light to dark red ; dots numerous, small, russet ; stem 
slender, %-2 inches in length ; flesh dark red, with 
dark colored juice or pale yellow with colorless juice, 
tender, melting, sprightly, acidulous, sometimes astrin- 
gent ; stone free or clinging, round, smooth, less than 
% inch in diameter ; ventral suture usually ridged. 

The sour cherry is grown and esteemed in 
temperate climates the world over. The 
species is found truly wild in southwestern 
Asia and southeastern Europe. It is a fre- 
quent escape from cultivation, multiplying 
from seed distributed by birds or human 
agencies, or growing from suckers which spring 
so freely from the roots as to make the species 
unfit for a stock in orchard work. The number 
of cultivated varieties of P. Cerasus is about 
300. Sour cherries cultivated for their fruits 
constitute two distinct groups, each of which 



THE SOUR CHERRY 



THE SWEET CHERRY 



is again divided into many varieties, while a 
third group is grown for the manufacture of 
a liqueur. The two groups vary more or less 
in both tree and fruit, but have a constant 
difference only in a single, very easily distin- 
guished character— the juice in the fruits of one 
is red, in the other it is colorless. 

Cherries with colorless juice are the Ama- 
relles. from the Latin amarus, bitter, a name 
probably first used by the Germans but now 
in general use wherever cherries are grown. 
These Araarelles are pale red fruits, more or 
less flattened at the ends. Despite the deriva- 
tion of the name Amarelle, they have less 
bitterness than the other group of varieties of 
the sour cherry. They are also less acid than 
the darker colored cherries, and are therefore 
more suitable for eating out of hand, the dark- 
colored cherries being almost exclusively culi- 
nary fruits. The common representatives of 
this group are Early Richmond, Montmorency, 
and the various cherries to which the word 
Amarelle is affixed, as the King Amarelle and 
the Spiite Amarelle. 

The second group, varieties with reddish 
juice and usually with very dark fruits, which 
are more spherical or cordate in shape than 
the Amarelles, comprises the Morellos of sev- 
eral languages or the Griottes of the French. 
The first of these terms has reference to the 
color, the word Morello coming from the 
Italian, meaning blackish; while Griotte, from 
the French, probably is derived through 
agriotte from aigre, meaning sharp, in reference 
to the acidity of the fruits. Weichsel is the Ger- 
man group name for these cherries, rather less 
commonly used than the other two terms. 
The trees of the Morello-like varieties are 
usually smaller, bushier, and more compact 
than those of the Araarelles. The branches, as 
a rule, are more horizontal, often drooping, 
are less regularly arranged and more slender. 
The leaves, in typical varieties, are of a darker 
green, smaller, thinner, and pendent; while 
those of the Amarelles are either horizontal or 
inclined to be upright; the leaves are also 
toothed less deeply and more regularly. The 
typical varieties of this group are English 
Morello, Ostheim, Olivet, Brusseler Braune, 
Vladimir, and Riga. 

A third division of the species is the Marasca 
cherry from which is made maraschino, a dis- 
tilled liqueur much used in Europe as a drink, 
and in Europe and America in the manufacture 
of maraschino cherries. The Marasca cherry 
is a native of the province of Dalmatia, Aus- 
tria, where the trees grow wild, and are now 
sparingly cultivated. Botanists include this 
cherry in the species under discussion, P. 
Cerasus marasca. Marasca cherries differ from 
the other cultivated forms chiefly in the greater 
vigor of the trees, relatively finer serrations of 
the leaves, longer stipules, and a more com- 
pact inflorescence. The fruits are much smaller 
than in the common sour cherries, are deep 
red or almost black in color, and have intensely 
red flesh and juice. The cherries are very 
acid, with a bitter taste that gives flavor to 
the maraschino made from them. 



The Sweet Cherry 

2. Prun-us avium, Linn. Tree reaching a height of 
30-40 feet, upright-spreading, open-topped, usually with 
a central leaiier ; branches stocky, smooth, dull ash-gray ; 
branchlets thick, long, grayish-brown, smooth, with 
small lenticels. Leaves resinous at opening, more or 
less drooping, 4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide, oblong- 
ovate, thin ; upper surface dark green, rugose ; lower 
surface dull green, pubescent ; apex acute ; base abrupt ; 
margin coarsely and doubly serrate, glandular ; petiole 
1% inches long, slender, dull red, with 1-3 small, 
globose, reddish glands on the stalk. Flowers with or 
after tlie leaves; white, xy^ inches across; in clusters 
of 2 or 3 ; pedicels 1 inch long, slender, glabrous. 
Fruit early ; 1 inch in diameter, cordate ; cavity deep, 
wide, abrupt ; suture a line ; apex round or pointed ; 
yellow, red or purplish-black ; dots numerous, small, 
russet ; stem 1 */^ inches long, adherent to the fruit ; 
skin tough, adherent to the pidp ; flesh yellow, red, or 
dark purple with colorless or colored juice, sweet ; stone 
semi-clinging, % inch long, elliptical, flattened, blunt, 
with smooth surfaces. 

Through its cultivated varieties, P. avium is 
everywhere known in temperate climates as the 
sweet cherry. Wild forms are variously called 
Mazzard, Bird, Wild, Crab, and Gean cher- 
ries. It is not so hardy a species as P. Cerasus 
and is, therefore, less generally grown, but still 
is a favorite orchard, dooryard, and roadside 
plant in all mid-temperate regions. It refuses 
to grow, however, in the warmest and coldest 
parts of the temperate zones. Wherever the 
species thrives as an orchard plant, it is to 
be found growing spontaneously along fences 
and roadsides and in open woods, from seeds 
distributed by birds. The fruits of these wild 
sweet cherries are usually small, and the flesh 
is thin and dry, often unpalatable; but, on 
the other hand, trees are sometimes found as 
escapes from cultivation which rival in their 
products the orchard-grown cherries. The 
number of cultivated varieties of P. avium is 
about 600. 

The habitat of the species is in southern and 
central Europe and Asia Minor, where it is to 
be found in moderately dry soils and seldom in 
the shade, preferring always warm, sunny sites, 
such as gravelly or stony hillsides; these 
predilections cling to the species in its culti- 
vated varieties. P. avium differs from P. 
Cerasus in an important horticultural character 
as the two species grow spontaneously; the 
former suckers from the root little or not at all, 
and hence is a suitable plant for a stock in 
orchard work; while the latter suckeij so much 
as to make it unfit for use as a stock. 

The sweet cherry is variously divided by 
botanists and pomologists; but whatever dis- 
tinct forms of the species may exist in the 
wild state, they are now interminably confused 
by hybridization under cultivation. It is im- 
possible to group pomological varieties into 
botanical varieties, as many botanists have 
attempted to do. The species can be roughly 
divided into two pomological groups, the dis- 
tinguishing character being the texture of the 
flesh. 

Sweet cherries with soft tender flesh form 
one group, known by pomologists under the 
French group-name Guigne or the English 
Gean. These are also the Heart cherries of 
common parlance. These soft-fruited cherries 
may again be divided into dark-colored varie- 



THE DUKE CHERRIES 



SAND CHERRY 



ties with reddish juice and hght-colored sorts 
with colorless juice. Typical light-colored 
Geans are Coe, Ida, Elton, and Waterloo; 
dark-colored ones are Black Tartarian, Early 
Purple, and Eagle. The second group is dis- 
tinguished by the firm, breaking flesh of the 
fruits, the Bigarreaus of several languages, the 
name originally having reference to the di- 
verse colors of the fruits. (French bigarrer 
means to streak.) This group is further di- 
visible in accordance with color of fruit and 
juice into black Bigarreaus and light Bigar- 
reaus. Chief of the black cherries falling into 
this division are Windsor, Schmidt, and Mezel; 
of the light ones, which are much more nu- 
merous, Yellow Spanish and Napoleon are 
representative sorts. 

The Duke Cherries 

The Duke cherries, long placed by most 
pomologists and botanists in a botanical va- 
riety of P. avium, are unquestionably hybrids 
between the sweet cherry and the sour cherry. 
A study of the characters of the varieties of 
Duke cherries shows all gradations between 
P. Cerasiis and P. avium, though, in the main, 
they resemble the latter more than the former, 
differing from the sweet cherries most notice- 
ably in having acid flesh. Sterility is a com- 
mon attribute of hybridism. In this respect, 
the Dukes behave like hybrids; most of the 
seeds being sterile, and in none are the seeds 
so fertile as in varieties known to be pure-bred 
as to species. So, too, shrunken pollen-grains 
indicate hybridity. A study of the pollen of 
Duke cherries shows many grains, the greater 
proportion, to be abnormal, a condition not 
found in the pollen of varieties true to species. 
Crosses between sweet and sour cherries at the 
New York Experiment Station have given 
many Dukes. May Duke, Reine Hortense, 
and Late Duke are the leading hybrid varieties. 

There are dark-colored Duke cherries with 
reddish juice and light-colored sorts with un- 
colored juice, just as in the two parent species. 
May Duke is a typical variety with colored 
juice, while Reine Hortense is probably the 
best-known cherry among these hybrids with 
uncolored juice. There are about 65 cherries 
listed as "Dukes." The name Duke comes 
from the variety May Duke, which is a cor- 
ruption of Medoc, a district in France, whence 
this variety came. The cherries of this group 
are known as Dukes only in England and the 
United States; in France, the name Royale is 
similarly used. 

The Mahaleb Cherries 

3. Prunus Mahaleb, Linn. St. Lucie Cherry. Per- 
fumed Clierry. Tree smaU, slender, vigorous, open- 
topped ; branches roughened, ash-gray over reddish- 
brown ; branchlets numerous, slender and firm-wooded, 
dull gray, glabrous, with many large, raised lenticels. 
Leaves numerous, 1 inch in length, 1^ inches wide, 
obovate, thick, leathery ; upper surface glossy, smooth ; 
lower surface light green ; pubescent along the midrib ; 
apex and base abrupt ; margin finely crenate, with 
reddish-brown glands; petiole % inch long, slender, 
greenish, with 1-3 small, globose, greenish glands. 
Flowers appearing after the leaves, small, ^ inch 
across, white, fragrant; 6-8 scattered on a stem 1 inch 



in length ; terminal pedicels % inch long and basal 
pedicels ^ inch long. Fruit very small, round-ovate ; 
suture a line ; apex pointed, with stigma adherent ; 
color black ; flesh reddish-black, very astringent, sour, 
not edible ; stone free, very small, ovate, with pointed 
apex : ventral suture prominent. 

P. Mahaleb is a wild inhabitant of all south- 
ern Europe as far north as central France, 
southern Germany, Austria-Hungary ; and east- 
ward through Asia Minor and Caucasia to 
and within the borders of Turkestan. Wild or 
cultivated, the Mahaleb is a shallow-rooted 
plant, a fact that must be taken into consid- 
eration in its use as a stock. P. Mahaleb is a 
common escape from cultivation in eastern 
North America, especially about the nursery 
centers of central New York. The Mahaleb 
is of no importance to fruit-growers for its 
fruit, but as a consort with nearly all of the 
sweet and sour cherries now being propagated 
in North America, it becomes of prime im- 
portance and so receives consideration here. 
Mahaleb stocks are usually grown as seedlings, 
but may also be propagated from root-cuttings. 

The Tomentose Cherry 

4. Prumuf tomentosa, Thunb. A dwarfish bush-like 
plant, vigorous, dense-topped, hardy ; trunk and branches 
stocky ; branches smooth, grayish-brown ; branchlets 
many, thickly overspread with short pubescence, with 
short internodes. Leaves numerous, 2% inches long, 
IV^ inches wide, obovate, velvety; upper surface dull, 
dark green, rugose ; lower surface thickly pubescent, 
with a prominent midrib and veins ; apex abruptly 
pointed ; margin serrate ; petiole ^le inch across ; borne 
singly or in pairs ; pedicels short, thick, glabrous. 
Fruit ^ inch in diameter, round ; cavity deep, narrow, 
abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex depressed, with adherent 
stigma ; color currant-red ; dots numerous, small, gray, 
obscure ; stem thick, Vi inch in length, pubescent ; 
skin thick, tender, covered with light pubescence ; flesh 
light red, with light red juice, stringy, sprightly, sour; 
stone clinging, pointed, with smooth surfaces. 

The habitat of P. tomentosa is central Asia, 
though it is now to be found growing spon- 
taneously in East Tibet and eastern China. 
This shrub-like cherry is ven,- generally culti- 
vated in central, eastern, and northern China 
and in Japan for its fruit and as an ornamental. 
It has been introduced in many widely sepa- 
rated places in North America, and appears to 
be promising for cold regions. The plant is 
twiggy, close-jointed, usually with many stems 
springing from the ground which bear branches 
quite to the base. Frequently these low- 
growing branches bend to the ground and take 
root, forming new plants. The bushes are 
thickly clothed with leaves densely tomentose 
on the underside— in this respect and in shape 
very unlike the foliage of common cultivated 
cherries. The fruit ripens in midseason, set- 
ting profusely from the many blossoms. The 
cherries are a half-inch in "diameter, bright 
currant-red, covered with inconspicuous hairs, 
are pleasantly acid, very juicy, and a great 
addition to cultivated cherries. P. tomentosa 
seems a most promising plant for domestica- 
tion and of particular merit for small gardens. 

Sand Cherry 

5. Prunus pumila, Linn. Plant a shrub 5-8 feet in 
height, decumbent; trunk slender, smooth except lor 
the raised lenticels; branches slender, smooth, twiggy, 



130 



SAND CHERRY 



WESTERN SAND CHERRY 



dark, dull reddish-black with a tinge of gray ; branch- 
lets Blender, twiggy, dull grayish-brown, glabrous, with 
small, raised lenticels. Leaves hanging late in the 
season, small, 1% inches long, 1 inch wide, flat, pointed, 
narrowly oblanceolate, thin ; lower surface thinly 
pubescent on the midrib and veins ; midrib small, 
straight ; veins very minute ; margin serrate, with teeth 
tipped with very small glands; petiole short, 1^/i inches 
in length, glandless. Flowers small, in 2- to 5-flowered 
umbels, white, appearing with the leaves ; pedicels slen- 
der, ^ inch in length. Fruit round, pendulous, purple- 
black, without bloom, ^ inch in diameter ; flesh thin, 
sour and astringent ; season late ; stone turgid, round. 

The sand cherry, or dwarf cherry, of eastern 
America, is found on sandy and rocky inland 
shores from Maine to the District of Columbia 
and northwestward to the Lake of the Woods 
in Canada. It grows in light sands, — a fact 
which suggests its use in arid soils and espe- 
cially on poor soils in cold climates. As yet 
there seem to be no named varieties of this 
cherry, since its nearly related species, P. 
Besseyi, offers greater opportunities to the 
fruit-grower. Both plants and fruits are so 
variable, the size, color, and quality of the 
crop on some plants being quite attractive, 
that it is certain that an opportunity is being 
overlooked to domesticate a worthy native 
plant. The species ought to have value, too, 
as a stock on which to work other cherries 
for sandy soils, dwarf trees, and exacting 
climates. 

Western Sand Cherry 

6. Prunus Besseyt, Bailey. Rocky Mountain Cherry. 
Plant a small spreading shrub, 1-4 feet in height ; 
trunk slender, smooth ; branches slender, smooth, very 
dark brownish-black, with numerous lenticels ; branchlets 
slender, short, dull grayish-brown, smooth, glabrous, 
with small, raised lenticels. Leaves hanging late, 
numerous, small, 2% inches long, 1 inch wide, thick, 
stiff ; apex with a short taper-point, broadly lanceolate ; 
upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth ; lower surface 
light green ; midrib distinct, glabrous ; margin serrate, 
with teeth tipped with indistinct glands ; petiole thick, 
% inch in length, glandless or with from one to two 
small, globose glands ; stipules very prominent, almost 
leaf-like. Flowers appearing with the leaves in sessile 
umbels, small, less than % inch across, white. Fruit 
*/^ inch in diameter, globose, oblong-pointed, yellow, 
mottled or purple-black ; variable in flavor but always 
more or less astringent ; stone large, globose, flattened. 

This species is found on the prairies from 
Manitoba and Minnesota to southern Kansas 



and westward into Montana. In its natural 
range, it undoubtedly runs into that of P. 
pumila to the east, and some botanists believe 
that the two species grade into each other; 
but the two are as distinct as are many other 
of the more or less indefinite species of this 
genus. Although P. Besseyi has received at- 
tention from horticulturists for less than a 
quarter-century, it has aroused much interest, 
best indicated by the fact that now a con- 
siderable number of varieties of the species 
are under cultivation; and there are more than 
a score of hybrids disseminated in which it is 
one of the parents. The flesh is tender and 
juicy, and, while it is generally astringent, 
plants bearing aromatic and very palatable 
cherries are often found growing wild, and 
some of the domesticated plants bear very 
well-flavored fruits. The sand cherry is re- 
markably productive, and has remarkable ca- 
pacity to withstand the vicissitudes of the 
exacting climate in which it grows. Fruits 
from different plants vary in size, color, and 
flavor, — a fact which suggests that, under cul- 
tivation, amelioration will proceed rapidly. 
The plants of this species root freely from 
layers or root-cuttings, and are, therefore, 
easily propagated and multiplied. 

But it is in its hybrids that this cherry has 
proved most valuable in horticulture. There 
are now hybrids under cultivation between 
this species and the sand plum (P. angustifolia 
Watsonii), the Hortulana plum (P. hortulana), 
the Simonii plum (P. Simonii), the Japanese 
plum (P. salicirm), the American plum (P. 
amcricana), the cherry plum (P. cerasijera), 
the sweet cherry (P. avium), the peach (P. 
Persica), the apricots (P. Armeniaca and P. 
Mume), and the common plum (P. domcstica). 
This species seems to be the "go-between" of 
the many varied types of the genus Prunus. 

The sand cherry makes a good stock for 
peaches, apricots, Japanese and native plums; 
and, while it does not so readily consort with 
the true cherries, yet it can be used as a stock 
for them. On the other hand, larger fruits of 
the sand cherry can be grown when it is 
budded on stocks of the American plum, P. 
americana. 



CHAPTER VIII 
VARIETIES OF APRICOTS 



In America, the apricot is distinctly a Cali- 
fornian fruit; more than four miUion trees 
have been planted in that state. Indeed, it 
may be said that California has a monopoly of 
the apricot industry, furnishing America with 
fresh fruits and the whole world with the cured 
and canned product. Elsewhere in the United 
States, the apricot is grown for the occasional 
crop the trees may produce, but chiefly as an 
ornamental, for few other trees are handsomer 
than an apricot-tree with its dark-green, 
luxuriant, heart-shaped leaves and large white 
blossoms. Apricot-culture is confined to Cali- 
fornia on this continent for the reason that 
the blossoms appear so early — first of all tree- 
fruits — that elsewhere they are usually caught 
by spring frosts, so that the industry is pre- 
carious, indeed, except in favored California. 
The Russian apricots are not so often injured 
by frosts at bloommg-time, but the fruits are 
hardly worth having after they are in hand. 
There is a great field for the development of 
late-blooming apricots for America. But 
thirty-three varieties of this fruit are de- 
scribed, and these less satisfactorily to the 
author than the varieties of any other fruits, 
since opportunities to study this fruit have 
been comparatively few. 

ALBERGE. This is an old French sort so 
vigorous in growth that the tree is commonly 
used as a stock for other French apricots. For 
this purpose it is grown from seed, and since 
it comes nearly true to seed, there are many 
strains of the variet_v. The trees of all types 
are noted as prolific producers, and for their 
large size. The product of Alberge is very 
popular in Europe for drying and preserving. 
One of the strains is remarkable in France for 
its sweet kernels, which are said to be nearly 
as good as those of the best sweet almonds. 

Tree large, vigorous, productive, hardy. Flowers mid- 
season, ly^ inches in diameter, white. Fruit l^^ inches 
in diameter, round-oblate ; suture very shallow ; yellow 
or pale orange which is marked in the sun with many 
red spots ; skin adherent, thick and rough ; pubescence 
short, thin, fine ; stem inserted in a deep, narrow cavity ; 
flesh orange colored, firm, vinous, brisk subacid, per- 
fumed ; good in quality ; stone large, flat, clinging to 
the flesh ; kernel bitter. 

ALEXANDER. Alexander is a Russian 
apricot recommended for the Middle West. 
It is not worth growing where better sorts 
thrive. Alexander is often confused with 
Nicholas. The history of the variety is un- 
known, but it has been grown in the United 
States for at least a generation. 

Tree vigorous, upright, hardy, healthy, very produc- 
tive, new growth marltedly red ; leaves large ; petiole 1 
inch in length, bearing several globose glands. Flowers 
large, white, very early. Fruit ripening in New York 



about August 1st ; small, oblong, flattened ; suture 
marked but not prominent ; color liglit orange-yellow 
with a light flush ; flesh orange-yellow, firm, coarse, juicy, 
sweet ; poor in quality ; stone large, free. 

BARRY. This variety is listed by Wickson 
as desirable for the central coast valleys of 
California. As grown in some parts of Cali- 
fornia, Barry is identical with Royal. The 
fruit is described as follows by Lloyd Austin, 
a student in the University of California: 

Fruit midseason ; large, round, sides but little com- 
pressed ; cavity medium deep ; suture shallow ; color 
pale orange, sometimes with a red cheek ; flesh orange ; 
quality good ; stone large, round-oval, free ; kernel bitter. 

BERGETTI. This apricot is said by Wick- 
son of California to be "an undetermined 
variety introduced by Mr. Bergetti and widely 
distributed under his name in the San Joa- 
quin." 

BLACK. This is the only variety of Prunus 
dasycarpa. It has little horticultural value, 
though it might be grown for the sake of va- 
riety in regions too cold for the apricots of 
commerce, since this sort is as hardy as an 
apple. It reproduces from seed. For a full 
description, see the discussion of the species 
on page 119. 

BLENHEIM. Fig. 105. Shipley. Blenheim 
is one of the popular apricots in California for 
canning, standing in popularity next to Royal, 
which it closely resembles. It is grown in 




105. Blenheim. (XVs) 

every part of the state where the apricot is 
grown. This is an old sort raised by a Miss 
Shipley, Blenheim, England. Shipley is no 
doubt the proper name, but the variety is so 
well established as Blenheim in the great apri- 
cot regions of California that it is not advisable 
to attempt a correction. Loose and Knobel 
are selected strains growing in Santa Clara 
Valley, California. 

Tree vigorous, a regular and productive bearer, hardy. 
Flowers early, large, white. Fruit midseason ; 2 inches 
in diameter, round-oblong or round-oblate, sidea com- 



131 



132 



BONGOUME 



HEMSKIRKE 



suture well marked, deep at cavity ; apex 
rounded ; color golden-orange with a deep red blush ; 
pubescence short, fine, obscure ; Ftem very short ; skin 
thin, tender, free ; flesh dei-p yellow or orange, juicy, 
mild, sweet but not rich ; stone of medium size, flat, 
ovate, free or clinging somewhat ; pervious channel ; 
kernel bitter. 

BONGOUME. This is one of the few Jap- 
anese apricots grown in America for its fruits, 
but because of small size and poor flavor the 
fruits are hardly worth having. Its only merit 
is to add variety. It is more tender to cold 
than the peach or other apricots. The variety 
is recommended for the Gulf states. 

Tree small, vigorous, productive, tender to cold. 
Fruit early ; small or medium in size, round-oblong with 
a distinct point at the apex ; cavity irregular, narrow, 
deep ; suture distinct, halves unequal ; skin greenish- 
yellow with a blush, finely pubescent or nearly smooth ; 
flesh light yellow, melting, juicy, strongly subacid, sour 
at the pit and skin ; fair in quality ; stone large, cling- 
ing, thick, round-ovate, with point at the apex. 

BREDA. The name has been used to desig- 
nate several apricots during the last two cen- 
turies. The one here described is the variety 
now listed by English nurserymen, distin- 
guished as an early sort of excellent quality. 
It is to be found in eastern American orchards, 
but seems not to be known on the Pacific 
.slope. The origin of Breda does not appear 
in any available pomology. 

Tree very vigorous, with strong-growing shoots, pro- 
ductive. Flowers early, large, white. Fruit early; IVz 
inches in diameter ; round-oblate, compressed, halves 
equal ; cavity deep, flaring ; suture shallow, becoming 
deep at cavity ; apex small, flattened ; color light 
orange-yellow with a handsome blush deepening about 
the cavity ; pubescence obscure ; many red dots ; skin 
thick, tough, free ; flesh rich orange, juicy, coarse, 
stringy, sweet ; good ; stone free, small, round-ovate, 
winged, smooth ; kernel sweet. 

BUDD. Budd has the doubtful recom- 
mendation of producing the best fruits of all 
the Russian apricots. The crop ripens very 
early, and the fruits have a sweet peach-like 
flavor that recommends them to those who 
.are looking for variety. Budd is grown only 
in the Middle West, where it was introduced 
a generation ago by J. L. Budd, the noted 
authority on Russian fruits. The variety is not 
gaining in popularity. 

Tree vigorous, upright, hardy, productive. Leaves 
glandular. Fruit very early ; small, oval, flattened ; 
.suture deep ; halves unequal ; skin golden-yellow, tinged 
with red on exposed sides ; flesh bright orange, coarse, 
stringy, juicy, firm, sweet, peach-like in flavor ; good ; 
stone cling or half-cling, rather large. 

EARLY GOLDEN. Wickson reports on 
this variety in California as follows: 

"Origin unknown ; small, roundish oval, with suture 
well marked and extending half way round ; skin smooth, 
pale orange ; flesh yellow, moderately juicy and sweet, 
with very good flavor ; separates from the stone. This 
variety is reported favorably from some counties, but 
generally otlierwise, and is not largely grown. Ripens 
before Royal." 

EARLY MOORPARK. Fig. 106. Early 
Moorpark is one of the standard early apricots 
East and West, and is very popular with the 
apricot-growers in southern California. The 
fruits resemble those of Moorpark, best known 
of all apricots, in shape, color, and quality, but 



are smaller and appear three weeks earlier; 
they are choicely good in quality but are a 
little too small for the market. The crop 
ripens soon after the middle of July at Geneva, 




106. Early Moorpark. (XVs) 

New York. The trees are very productive, but 
are tender to cold, and the crop ripens un- 
evenly in some situations. This is a good 
variety to try in the East because of extreme 
earliness. Early Moorpark is an old English 
variety. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive, with strong, 
luxuriant shoots. Fruit very early ; small, round-oval, 
with a well-marked or deep suture extending from base 
to apex ; skin lemon-yellow flushed and dotted with 
bright reddish-orange ; very juicy, sweet and rich ; of 
best quality ; stone free from the flesh, round-oblong, 
rough ; kernel bitter. 

GIBB. Gibb is another of the compara- 
tively worthless Russian sorts, but may be of 
value in the Middle West. The fruit is some- 
what larger than that of other Russians, ripens 
about the latest of the Russians, and is fair 
in quality. But few nurserymen offer the 
variety, and it is likely soon to be a fruit of 
the past. Gibb has been grown for a genera- 
tion, but when, where, and by whom originated 
does not appear, although it was evidently 
named after the great Canadian authority on 
Russian fruits. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, hardy, productive. 
Leaves very large with a long gland-bearing stem. 
Fruit ripening -August 1st at Geneva, New York ; small, 
round ; apex acute ; suture well-marked but not deep ; 
skin light yellow, with a trace of color in the cheek 
to the sun ; flesh yellow, juicy, subacid ; rather poor ; 
stone medium to large, free, oval. 




107. Hemskirke. (XVa) 

HEMSKIRKE. Fig. 107. This variety is a 
strain of Moorpark, which it surpasses in hardi- 
ness of tree. The tree resembles that of Moor- 
park in wood and foliage, but is a more regular 




Plate VI. — Elberta Peach. 



JAPAN 



MONTGAMET 



133 



bearer; unfortunately it does not hold the crop 
well. The fruit, also, resembles that of Moor- 
park, but ripens evenly on both sides, as Moor- 
park often does not. The variety is widely 
grown in California under the name Hemskirke. 
It is an old English sort. 

Tree large. spre.iding, very hardy and healthy, regular 
and productive bearer. Flowers large, nearly pure white. 
Fruits midseason ; large, nearly 2 inches in diameter, 
round or round-oblate, sides compressed, bulged on one 
side of suture near the apex ; suture distinct ; apex 
mucronate ; color orange with brown spots, blushed 
toward the sun ; skin thick, adhering ; tiesli golden- 
orange, tender, juicy, rich ; very good in quality ; stone 
oval, small, free ; with a pervious channel ; kernel bitter. 

JAPAN. Under this name the Japanese 
apricot, Prunus Mume, is offered by several 
southern nurserymen. One of these catalog 
descriptions runs as follows: 

"This is the earliest, largest, and best apricot in 
cultivation, and the only apricot that is a success 
here in central Louisiana ; fruit clear bright yellow, 
fine flavor ; tree a straggling grower and an abundant 
bearer. It was imported by ex-Governor Hubbard, of 
Texas, while minister at Japan." 

KAISHA. This interesting sort with red 
flesh was mtroduced from Syria in 1842 into 
England, where it has been grown more or 
less since. Toward the close of the century 
it was imported to America, and is to be found 
sparingly in eastern plantations. Apricot- 
growers in California have either not tried 
Kaisha, or else discarded ''it as unworthy — 
probably the latter. The tree is somewhat 
unsatisfactory, being tender to cold, blooming 
early, and bearing lightly and unevenly. As 
grown at Geneva, New York, the fruit is de- 
scribed as follows: 

Fruit early ; small, round-dblong ; cavity small ; suture 
distinct ; skin rich yellow with a few red dots ; flesh 
deep red. stringy, juicy, sweet ; poor in quality ; stone 
large, free, rough, obo\ate, base terminating in a flat, 
broad point. 

LARGE EARLY. Fig. 108. This is an 
especially valuable variety because of the 
earliness, large size, attractive appearance, and 




108. Large Early. (XVa) 



high quality of its fruits. The variety is a 
favorite in nearly all apricot-growing regions. 
A fault is that the tree is sometimes an un- 
certain bearer. Large Early is an old French 
variety. 

Tree vigorous, spreading", hardy, productive but some- 
times uncertain in bearing. Leaf large, broader than 



long ; margin coarsely serrate ; petiole % inch long, 
with 1 to several globose glands. Flowers white, often 
with 6 petals. Fruit very early ; nearly 2 inches in 
diameter, oblong-oval, compressed, often oblique ; suture 
well marked ; apex terminating in a sharp point ; color 
light orange, darker orange next to the sun with some 
red ; fine obscure pubescence; flesh orange, firm, juicy, 
sweet, rich ; very good to best ; stone free, oval, flat 
with sharp point ; kernel bitter. 

LARGE EARLY MONTGAMET. This 
is probably a European sort renamed. It is 
offered for sale by California nurserymen, and 
is to be found occasionally in eastern America. 
As grown at Geneva, New York, the fruit is 
described as follows: 

Fruit early ; large, 2 inches or more in diameter, 
round-oval, sides compressed, irregular, ribbed, truncate ; 
cavity large and deep ; suture distinct, dividing a promi- 
nent swollen ridge ; color rich yellow or orange, mottled 
or blushed with red ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, firm, 
sweet, rich ; quality very good ; stone large, free, nearly 
as broad as long, thick, rough, very dark in color ; 
kernel sweet. 

LATE ENGLEHARDT. This apricot, 
grown only in California, is described by 
Wickson as follows: 

"Chance seedling originated at La Crescenta. Propa- 
gated and introduced by W, B. Thome of Tropico. 
Large as Moorpark, ripening evenly and twenty-eight 
days later than Royal. Claimed to be a very late 
bloomer, and thus escaping frosts which caught all other 
varieties at similar elevations. Planted chiefly in Los 
Angeles County." 




109. Luizet. {XV2) 

LUIZET. Fig. 109. Luizet is an old French 
sort little grown in America, but offered 
by several American nurserj-men. Wickson 
says it is approved in the upper San Joaquin 
Valley, California. The fruit is a fine, early 
apricot at Geneva, New York, as the following 
description shows: 

Fruit early ; very large, round-ovate, sides a little 
compressed toward the apex ; suture prominent, dividing 
a swollen ridge ; halves of the fruit unequal ; cavity 
broad, deep ; color a deep rich yellow with a crimson 
blush and dots of crimson ; flesh deep yellow, firm, juicy, 
aromatic, sweet, rich ; very good in quality : stone large, 
round-ovate, free, rough, variable in thickness ; kernel 
bitter. 

MONTGAMET. Albcrge de Montgamet. 
This is an old French sort which seems not to 
be known in eastern America. Wickson says 
it is grown in the Vacaville district of Cali- 
fornia. Hogg, the English pomologist, de- 
scribes it as follows: 

"Fruit of small size, oval, somewhat compressed on 
the sides, and marked with a shallow suture ; skin pale 
yellow, with a slight tinge of red on the side next to 
the sun ; flesh yellowish, firm, adhering to the stone, 



MOORPARK 



ROYAL 



juicy and agreeably acid, but when well ripened it is 
higiily perfumed ; stone impervious, roundish ; kernel 
bitter." 

MOORPARK. Fig. 110. Moorpark is 
probably the most widely and the most fre- 
quently grown of all apricots. Some English 
horticulturists say that Peach and Moorpark 
are identical, but the majority believe that 
there are two distinct varieties under these 
names. The merits of the variety are chiefly 
to be found in the fruits, which are of largest 




110. Moorpark. {XV2) 

size, handsome appearance, and best quality; 
they have long been the standard of excellence 
in "both appearance and quality. The trees 
have several faults: they are a little tender 
to cold; are uncertain and irregular bearers; 
and the crop ripens unevenly. This is a favor- 
ite variety in some of the California apricot 
regions, but is not popular in southern Cali- 
fornia. Moorpark is an old English variety, 
but is said to have been introduced from 
France to England at an early date. 

Tree very large, with long, strong s'.ioots, tender to 
cold, sometimes very productive, but often shy and 
uncertain and not always hcaUhy. Fruit large, more 
than 2 inches in diameter, round with truncate base 
and compressed sides; cavity small; suture shallow, 
dividing the fruit into unetiual l-.ahes; color pale orange, 
deeper orange and a distinct blush on side next to sun, 
with brown and red dots ; tiesh deep orange, firm, juicy, 
sweet, rich; best in quali y ; sto-ie free, large, rough, 
thick ; kernel slightly bitter. 

NEWCASTLE. Several valuable apricots 
have originated in California which meet local 
conditions rather better than foreign sorts. 
One of the best of these is Newcastle, which 
sprang up in Newcastle, Placer County, in 
1881. Its especial value is in the earliness of 
its fruits, which are three to four weeks earlier 
than Royal, although the trees have the merits 
of being productive and regular bearers. New- 
castle grows as follows in New York: 

Tree of medium vigor ; upright in growth, produc- 
tive. Fruit very early ; round-oblate, smaller than 
Royal : cavity deep, narrow ; suture shallow or a line, 
deep at the" cavity ; color lemon yellow, darker on 
the side to the sun with a blush of red ; pubescence 
fine, obscure ; skin thick, tough ; flesh deep yellow, 
juicv, firm, tender, sweet, rich ; quality very good but 
not " as good as Royal ; stone free, large, flat, ovate, 
pitted. 

OULLINS EARLY. Oullins Early was 
introduced from Oullins, France, but Le Roy, 
one of the best French pomologists, says it is 
identical with Moorpark. Hogg, the English 



pomologist, says it is an early form of the 
Peach apricot, a variety very similar to Moor- 
park. Wiekson, a Californian authority, agrees 
with Hogg, and says it "ripens in Amador 
county four weeks earlier than Peach." On 
the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, three 
distinct peaches have grown under this name. 
With this confusion, the author hesitates to 
describe the variety. 

PEACH. This is one of the oldest and best- 
known apricots, having been grown m France 
for at least three centuries. As might be ex- 
pected with so old a variety, and a name so 
likely to be used, there is much confusion in 
the apricots passing under this name. The 
one here described is the apricot accepted for 
this name by Hogg, who says it is very similar 
to Moorpark but not identical. This is prob- 
ably the apricot grown under this name in 
California, where the fruit has been a favorite 
in the Sacramento Valley for canning and 
drj'ing, but is being discarded because the crop 
ripens too rapidly, and the conserved product 
is inferior in appearance. The following is 
Hogg's description: 

"Fruit large, oval, and flattened, marked with a deep 
suture at the base, which gradually diminishes towards 
the apex ; skin pale yellow on the shaded side, and with 
a slight tinge of red next the sun ; flesh reddish yellow, 
very delicate, juicy, and sugary, with a rich and some- 
what musky tiavor; stone large, flat, rugged, and 
pervious along the back ; kernel bitter." 

ROUTIER PEACH. Apricot-growers of 
California speak very highly of this variety, 
which seems to be especially valuable in Sacra- 
mento and San Joaquin valleys. A notable 
characteristic is that the tree blooms a week 
later than that of Peach, which was probably 
its parent. The variety originated near Sacra- 
mento, California, with Joseph Routier nearly 
a generation ago. The fruit is described by 
Wiekson as follows: 

"Large, yellow in the shade ; deep orange, mottled 
and splashed with red in the sun ; flesh juicy and rich, 
high flavor and a good market variety." The tree is 
reported as being especially satisfactory in the regions 
in which the variety is grown. 




HI. Royal. (XVa) 



ROYAL. Fig. 111. Royal is now the lead- 
ing apricot in the great apricot-growmg re- 
gions of California. In quality of fruit, it is 
somewhat inferior to Moorpark, but the trees 
do not have the several serious faults of 



SHENSE 



WIGGIN 



135 



Moorpark. Besides furnishing an excellent 
product for shipping as a fresh fruit, Royal 
supplies canners and dryers with a favorite 
product. In addition to the variety, there seem 
to be two quite distinct strains of Royal in 
California. The Derby Ro3'al is like the tj'pe 
variety, but is two weeks earlier. White Royal 
is lighter in color and flesh; this strain is not 
liked by canners. Royal and Blenheim are 
almost indistinguishable, though the latter is 
larger. The variety is an old European sort. 

Tree large, vigorous, regular in bearing large crops 
which ripen uniformly. Fruit midseason ; large, oval, 
sides compressed ; suture shallow but distinct ; color 
pale yellow or orange with orange cheek tinged with 
red with a few red dots ; fiesh rich, dull, yellow, firm, 
juicy, vinous ; very good in quality ; stone large, free, 
round-oblong, thick, rough ; kernel bitter. 

SHENSE. Fig. 112. Acme. A letter on 
file at the New York Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York, from Professor 
J. L. Budd, Ames, Iowa, noted as an authority 
on Russian fruits, says that Shense is by far 




112. SI 



the hardiest Russian apricot; that the tree is 
vigorous, handsome, productive, and the fruit 
large and of good quality in Iowa and Ne- 
braska. In the last-named state, the variety 
is grown under the name Acme. Shense origi- 
nated from a stone brought from China about 
1883. The fruit appears as follows in New 
York: 

Fruit early ; large, 2 inches in diameter, round, 
compressed ; suture distinct ; color pale yellow, the lialf 
exposed to the sun overspread with intense red deepening 
to purple ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, mild subacid, 
pleasant ; good in quality ; stone large, free, ovate. 

SMYRNA. Smyrna is grown on the grounds 
of the Experiment Station, Davis, California. 
The following description of the fruit is sent 
by Lloyd Austin, a student specialist in apri- 
cots: 

Fruit midseason ; large, round-oval, slightly conical, 
sides compressed ; cavity shallow ; suture medium to 
deep ; color yellow or pale orange ; flavor distinctive 
and very pleasing ; stone free, medium in size, oval, 
plump ; kernel sweet. 

SPARK MAMMOTH. In the sixth edi- 
tion of Calijornia Fruits, Wickson says of this 
variety : 



"Popular in Ventura County. Largest size, even 
larger than Moorpark ; pale yellow, very tender, juicy 
and sweet ; abandoned for shy bearing." 

ST. AMBROISE. Fig, 113. The tree of 
St. Ambroise is accredited as being most pro- 
ductive and very good in other characters as 
well, but the fruits are a little coarse, lacking in 




St. Ambroise. (XV2) 



richness of flavor, and not well adapted for 
either canning or drying, although they ship 
well in the fresh state. The variety is grown 
more or less in the interior valleys of Cali- 
fornia, but is not liked near the coast. St. 
Ambroise is an old European variety. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, healthy, very productive. Fruit 
early ; large, more than 2 inches in diameter, oblong- 
elliptical, sides compressed, suture side swollen, ribbed 
at base ; suture distinct ; color deep, rich yellow, blushed 
next the sun ; a few reddish dots ; flesh rich yellow, firm, 
a little stringy, melting, juicy, perfumed ; very good in 
quality ; stone free, very large, rough, elliptical, flat, 
winged. 

TILTON. Wickson, pomological authority 
of California, says of this variety: 

"Cliance seeding first noticed about 188.5 on place of 
J. E. Tilton, near Hanford, Kings County, and distin- 
guished by regular bearing. Propagated and introduced 
by J. W. Bairstow, of Hanford. Fruit large ; freestone ; 
symmetrical, prolific. Widely planted recently and 
very promising, though condemned for shy bearing in 
some places. Colors in advance of ripening and is 
often piclced too green for best quality in drying." 

TOYAHVALE. This is a Russian apricot 
recently introduced by the Texas Nursery 
Company, Sherman, Texas. It was grown from 
seed planted by C. W. Gifiin, Toyahvale, 
Texas, in 1899. The introducer describes the 
variety as follows: 

"Blooms very late, hence sure ; very prolific. Medium 
size, yellow, fine fla\-or. The original tree stands 2 feet 
in diametrr of trunk, 50 feet spread of limbs, bearing 
enormously." 

WIGGIN. Wickson, wTiting of this variety 
in California, says it is favored in the Winter's 
district as the best of early apricots. He char- 
acterizes the fruits as of "good size, fine color, 
solid red cheek, ten days earlier than Royal." 
The trees. Wickson says, are "good bearers." 
The origin of the variety is not given. 



CHAPTER IX 
VARIETIES OF CHERRIES 



Although the cherry seems to have been 
domesticated as early as any other of the 
tree-fruits, the cultivated cherry is now more 
like its wild progenitor than any other in- 
habitant of the orchard. The cherry, of all 
hardy fruits, excepting, perhaps, the Insititia 
plums, is also most fixed in its characters: as 
a consequence, the differences between tree and 
fruit in the varieties are less marked, and the 
varieties come more nearly true to seed. In 
spite of these facts, there are a great number 
of varieties;— the author described 1145 in The 
Cherries of New York. The sorts included in 
this chapter are varieties now under cultiva- 
tion, for most part those on sale by nursery- 
men in 1920. All the full descriptions have 
been made from trees growing on the grounds 
of the New York Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York. 

ABBESSE D'OIGNIES. Fig. 114. P. 
Avium XP- Cerasus. Abbesse d'Oignies has 
so many good characters that it is well worth 
trying commercially wherever good cherries 
are grown in the United 
States. It seems so far 
to have been tried only 
in the Middle West, 
where Professor Budd 
introduced it in Iowa 
from Russia in 1883. 
Here in the unfavor- 
able soil and climatic 
conditions of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, Abbesse 
d'Oignies grows as well 
as any cherry of its 
class. The trees are 
large, vigorous, hardy, 
fruitful, and free from 
fungous diseases. The 
cherries are large, dark 
red, of most excellent 
quality, combining the 
flavor of the Dukes 
with a firmer and ten- 
derer flesh. The high 
quality, handsome ap- 
pearance, and good 
shipping qualities of 
the fruit, combined with 
the excellent characters of the trees, ought to 
make Abbesse d'Oignies a very good commer- 
cial variety. This cherry originated in Belgium 
about the middle of the nineteenth century. 

Tree characteristically large and vigorous, upright- 
spreading, round-topped but with drooping branches, 




114. Abbesse d'Oig- 
nies. (XI) 



hardy, productive. Leaves 2^ inches wide, 5% inches 
long, obovate, thick ; margin with small black glands, 
coarsely and doubly serrate ; petiole 1 Vi inches long, 
thick, lightly tinged with red, grooved, with one or 
two small, globose, reddish-orange glands. Flowers mid- 
season, white, 1^/4 inches across; borne in dense clusters 
at the end of spurs or spur-like branches, varying from 
one to three. Fruit late ; % inch long, 1 inch thick, 
round-oblate, slightly compressed ; cavity wide, regular ; 
suture a line ; apex rounded, slightly depressed ; color 
dark red ; dots numerous, liglit russet, conspicuous ; 
stem slender ; colorless juice, stringy, tender and soft, 
sprightly subacid ; of very good quality ; stone free, 
round, turgid, slightly pointed, with smooth surface ; 
ridged along the suture. 

ABUNDANCE. P. avium. Abundance is 
a seedling of the well-known Napoleon, or 
Royal Ann, as it is called in the Pacific states. 
The seedling closely resembles the parent in 
fruit and tree. The variety is grown only in 
California and Oregon, and in these states 
growers maintain that the fruit is larger than 
that of Napoleon and the tree a stronger 
grower and more productive. The season is 
about the same. (Dn the grounds of the New 
York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, it is difficult to tell the fruit of the 
seedling from that of the parent. The de- 
scription of Napoleon will answer for that 
of Abundance. The variety originated with 
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, California, and 
was first mentioned in his catalog for 1911-12. 

BALDWIN. P. Cerasus. On the grounds 
of the New York Experiment Station, Baldwin 
trees which came direct from the originator 
turned out to be Olivet. The published de- 
scriptions are so scant and fragmentary that 
it cannot be made out whether the variety is 
distinct or is Olivet renamed. The variety has 
been widely disseminated in the Middle West, 
but has not shown much merit either for home 
or for commercial orchards in the rather 
lengthy probational period it has had in the 
East. Baldwin is supposed to have grown on 
the farm of S. J. Baldwin, Seneca, Kansas, 
from a sprout of a stock on which Early Rich- 
mond had been budded, and first fruited in 
1891. The description is a compilation. 

Tree vigorous, round-topped ; leaves large, broad ; 
flowers white, changing to pink. Fruit ripens early ; 
usually borne in pairs ; large, round ; stem of medium 
length, rather thick : color very dark red. yet almost 
transparent; flavor slightly acid, yet considered one 
of tlie sweetest and richest of the Morello class. 

BELLE DE CHOISY. P. aviumXP- 
Cerasm. Choisy. The fruits of Choisy are 
handsome and delicious — about the best of all 
dessert cherries, delicately combining the rich- 
ness of the sweet and the sprightliness of the 



136 



BESSARABIAN 



BLACK EAGLE 



137 



sour cherry. Unfortunately, while the trees 
bear early and regularly, they are seldom fruit- 
ful; to offset this fault, however, they are 
vigorous, hardy, and healthy. The cherries 
keep and stand the wear and tear of marketing 
as well as those of any other Duke. All char- 
acters of Choisy commend it for the home 
orchard and for a local market. In particular, 
it may be recommended for cold climates 
where a true sweet cherry is not quite hardy, 
as this hybrid is nearly as hardy as the other 
parent, a sour cherry. Choisy was cultivated 
in France as early as 1628. It was first de- 
scribed in America in 1832. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open, hardy, but 
moderately productive. Lea^-es numerous, very broad, 
obovate, rather abruptly pointed ; margin deeply and 
regularly serrate to rather dentate. Flowers early, white, 
large, numerous, borne in large clusters. Fruit mid- 
Beason ; usually attached in pairs, large, round-oval, 
flattened toward the base ; cavity shallow, wide ; suture 
shallow, indistinct ; apex depressed ; color bright red 
mottled with yellow and amber ; stem thick at the base, 
H^-2 inches long, generally forking at about J^ inch 
from the base ; skin thin, firm, semi-transparent, showing 
the netted texture of the pulp beneath ; flesh pale amber, 
with abundant colorless juice, tender, melting, sweet ; 
very good in quality ; stone small, round, pointed at 
the apex ; surfaces nearly smooth. 

BESSARABIAN. P. Cerasus. Bessarabian 
has a place in home orchards in the colder 
parts of the Mississippi Valley and the Great 
Plains. It is very hardy and is said to thrive 
even under neglect, standing as much abuse 
as a forest tree. As compared with standard 
commercial cherries of the East, the fruit is 
distinctly inferior in size and quality, hardly 
fit to eat out of hand, and is sour and 
astringent even when cooked. The trees are 
hardy and healthy, but dwarfish and not pro- 
ductive because of the smallness of the cher- 
ries. It is an early cherry, but the fruit hangs 
long. The variety is said to root well from 
cuttings. If this is true, it might be worth 
trj'ing as a stock. Bessarabian is a variant of 
English Morello, brought to America from 
Russia about 1883 by Professor J. L. Budd, 
Ames, Iowa. 

Tree of medium size, upright, becoming somewhat 
spreading, compact, healthy, unproductive, very hardy : 
branches drooping, long, slender. Leaves abundant, 
medium to small, oval, coarsely serrate, dark green, 
broad, flat ; glands few, on the stalk at the base of 
the leaf. Fruit early, remaining on the tree a long 
time in good condition ; medium in size, round-oblate 
to cordate, irregular, bright red becoming dark red ; 
stem long, varying from 1% to 2 inches in length, 
slender, curved ; skin tender ; flesh light to dark red, 
with abundant colored juice, variable in firmness, 
sprightly subacid, becoming milder when fully ripe ; 
fair in quality ; stone round-oval, semi-clinging. 

BING. Fig. 115. P. avium. Bing is one of 
the best of the several very good cherries from 
the Pacific Northwest. The fruits are almost 
unequalled in size, attractiveness, and quality. 
Other characters commending the variety are 
that the crop hangs well on the trees and ripens 
at one time, so that the harvest consists of but 
one picking. Unfortunately, in the East the 
trees are not so vigorous, healthy, or produc- 
tive as they should be in a commercial variety 
of first rank. The variety, though compara- 



tively new, is no longer on probation. It de- 
serves a place in the collection of every ama- 
teur, by virtue of its excellent fruit; and, 
where it is happy in soil and climate, is bound 
to become one of the leading commercial cher- 
ries. Seth Lewelling, Milwaukee, Oregon, 
grew Bing from the seed of Republican in 1875. 




115. Bing. (XI) 

Tree large, vigorous, erect, becoming upright-spreading, 
open, productive. Leaves abundant, large, obovate ; 
margin slightly serrate, glandular ; petiole long, pubes- 
cent, thick, tinged with red, with 1-3 large, reniform, 
reddish glands on the stalk. Fruit midseason or later ; 
1 inch in diameter, broadly cordate, somewhat com- 
pressed, slightly angular ; cavity deep, of medium width, 
abrupt, regular ; suture a dark line ; apex rounded or 
slightly depressed ; color very dark red, almost black ; 
dots small, russet, inconspicuous: stem IH inches long; 
skin tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh purplish-red 
with dark purple juice, rather coarse, firm, very meaty, 
brittle, sweet ; of very good quality ; stone semi-free, 
large, oval, blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

BLACK EAGLE. P. avium. In many re- 
spects. Black Eagle is one of the best varieties 
of its species. The trees are usually fruitful; 
ripen their crop at a good time in the cherry 
season, just after Black Tartarian; and are 
as hardy, healthy, and vigorous as those of 
any sweet cherry. But it is high quality of 
fruit that gives Black Eagle such merit that it 
ought not to be forgotten; makes it worthy 
a place in every home orchard, and commends 
it highly to commercial growers of cherries 
who want a finely finished product for either 
local or general market. The fruit-stems of 
this variety are characteristically long. Black 
Eagle was grown about 1806 by Thomas An- 
drew Knight, Downton Castle, Wiltshire, Eng- 
land, from seed of Yellow Spamsh fertilized 
with pollen of May Duke. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, unpro- 
ductive at first but improving with age. Leaves numer- 
ous, 5 inches long, 2^ inches wide, elliptical, thin; 
margin coarsely and doubly serrate, with dark glands j 



BLACK HEART 



BRUSSELER BRAUNE 



petiole nearly 2 inches lon^, tinged with red, with a 
few hairs, with 2-4 reniform, brownish glands on the 
stalk. Flowers midseason ; white, 1^ inches across ; 
borne in scattered clusters in twos and threes. Fruit 
midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, oblate, somewhat 
cordate, compressed ; cavity re^ar, flaring ; suture 
a faint groove ; apex pointed or slightly depressed ; color 
dark red almost black ; dots small, russet, medium in 
number, obscure ; stem slender, 2 inches long ; skin 
thin, tender ; flesh dark red, with wine-colored juice, 
meaty, tender, crisp, pleasantly flavored, mild, sweet ; 
very good to best in quality ; stone free except along the 
ventral suture, small, ovate, slightly flattened, blunt, 
with smooth surfaces. 

BLACK HEART. P. avium. Although 
one of the oldest cherries under cultivation, 
Black Heart is still largely grown the world 
over. Prince, in 1832, said that it was more 
widely known than any other cherry in the 
country. While this statement would not hold 
for Black Heart now, it is still, because of 
the fruitfulness of the tree and the high qual- 
ity and beauty of the fruit, a variety of much 
merit. Black Heart fails in commercial fruit- 
growing since the fruit does not meet mar- 
ket demands because of two defects: it does 
not ship well ; and, when brown-rot is rife, it 
quickly succumbs to this fungus. This cherry 
was mentioned by John Rea in 1676, but with- 
out doubt it originated many years previous 
to that date. 

Tree large, very vigorous, tall, wide-spreading, pro- 
ductive. Leaves very large, oblong, waved, acuminate, 
nearly flat ; petiole of medium length, lightly tinged 
with red, with greenish glands. Flowers very early, 
medium in size. Fruit early, season long ; large, obtuse- 
cordate, somewhat compressed ; cavity broad ; suture 
deep; surface somewhat irregular; color dark purple 
becoming black ; stem 1 % inches long, slender ; skin 
slightly shrivelled ; flesh dark red, firm to very firm 
becoming tender at full maturity, with abundant, colored 
juice, sweet ; good in quality ; stone large, round-ovate ; 
dorsal suture deep. 

BLACK TARTARIAN. 

Fig. 116. P. avium. Tarta- 
rian. Black Tartarian is a fa- 
vorite dooryard and roadside 
sweet cherry, and ranks sec- 
ond or third among com- 
mercial cherries for the 
whole region east of the 
Mississippi. The pre- 
eminently meritorious char- 
acters which give it so high 
a place in cherry culture 
are : the elasticity of its 
constitution, whereby it 
adapts itself to widely dif- 
ferent soils and climates; 
the fruitfulness, healthful- 
ness, and robustness of the 
trees, which also bear regu- 
larly, live to an old age, and 
grow to a prodigious size; 
comparative freedom from 
the worst of cherry diseases, 
brown-rot ; lastly, the cher- 
ries, though not large, are tempting to the eye, 
and are a delight to the palate, the handsome 
purplish-red flesh being firm and crisp, yet 
juicy, with a sweet, rich flavor which gives the 
quality the rank of "very good to best." Un- 




fortunately, this cherry is a little too soft to 
handle well in harvesting and marketing, or 
to hold its shape as a canned product; the 
small size is also against it for the canner's 
trade. The several defects noted prevent Black 
Tartarian from taking first rank in commercial 
orchards, but for the home plantation it is one 
of the best. Black Tartarian was introduced 
into England in 1794 from Circassia. It owes 
its introduction into this country to William 
Prince, Flushing, Long Island, probably in the 
early part of the nineteenth century. 

Tree characteristically large, vigorous, upright, vasi- 
form, productive. Leaves numerous. b% inches long, 
2y2 inches wide, obovate to elliptical, thin; margin 
varies from serrate to crenate ; petiole 2 inches long, 
thick, tinged with red, with a few hairs, with 1-3 
reniform, reddish glands on the stalk. Flowers white, 
IVi inches across, borne in clusters in twos and threes. 
Fruit early ; 1 inch in diameter, cordate, compressed ; 
cavity intermediate in depth and width, flaring ; suture 
indistinct ; apex pointed and slightly depressed ; color 
purplish-black ; dots numerous, small, russet, obscure ; 
stem slender, 1 V^ inches long, adherent to the fruit ; 
slcin thin, separating readily from tiie pulp ; flesh 
purplish-red, with dark-colored juice, firm, meaty, 
crisp, pleasant flavored, mild, sweet ; of very good 
qualit.v ; stone free, ovate, slightly flattened and oblique, 
with smooth surfaces. 

BOURGUEIL. P. Cerasus. Bourgueil is 
of the Montmorency type, hardly differing 
enough in fruit from Large Montmorency to 
be distinguished from it; and yet, since the 
tree seems to be more productive, Bourgueil 
is possibly worth adding to the cherry flora 
of the country. The variety is still on proba- 
tion, but if trees true to name can be obtained, 
it is worth planting where growers want a 
cherry of the Montmorency type. The United 
States Department of Agriculture received thia 
variety from France in 1905, and, in turn, for- 
warded it to several experiment stations, at 
which it has been fruiting for the past few 
seasons. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, vasiform, productive. 
Leaves numerous, 4 inches long, 2 inclies wide, ovate, 
thick ; margin doubly crenate ; petiole 1 inch long, 
thick, with a dull tinge of red, pubescent, with 1-3 
globose, yellow or brownish glands on the base of the 
blade. Flowers late, white, 1 H inches across ; borne 
in clusters, usually in threes. Fruit midseason ; % inch 
longj 1 inch wide, oblate, somewhat compressed ; cavity 
deep, wide, medium flaring, regular ; suture indistinct ; 
apex roundish to flattened ; color bright red ; dots 
small, russet, incoiispicuous ; stem stout, 1^ inches 
long, adherent to the fruit ; skin tender, free ; flesh 
yellowish-white, with colorless juice, tender and melting, 
sprightly, sour ; of good quality ; stone free, large, 
round-ovate, pointed, with smooth surfaces, tinged with 
red, with a prominent ventral suture. 

BRUSSELER BRAUNE. Fig. 117. P. 
Cerasus. Brusseler Braune has little value for 
commercial plantings. The trees are uncertain 
in bearing; the cherries are small, sour, and 
astringent; and the crop ripens very unevenly. 
It is of the English Morello type, but is far 
inferior to this well-known sort. Brusseler 
Braune has been much advertised for cold 
climates, but there are many better cherries 
that stand cold quite as well, and are better 
in both tree- and fruit-characters. The variety 
has two marked peculiarities: the leaves on 



BUNTE AMARELLE 



CENTENNIAL 



139 




117. Brusseler 

Braune. 

(XI) 



the two-year-old wood are very small, and 
the fruit-stems bear a small leaflet at their 
base. These leaflets on the fruit-stem would 
have to be removed in mar- 
keting the crop — another 
serious defect. No doubt 
Brusseler Braune originated 
more than a hundred years 
ago in Holland. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, 
upright-spreading but with droop- 
ing branchlets, dense, round- 
topped, unproductive. Leaves 'SVz 
inches lori^, 1% inclies wide, obo- 
vate, thick, grooved along the 
midrib ; margin finely and doubly 
serrate ; petiole 1 inch long, with 
1-4 small, globose, yellowish- 
green glands. Flowers late, 1 
inch across, white ; borne in scat- 
tering clusters in threes and fours. 
Fruit very late ; 1 inch in diam- 
eter, variable in size, round-cor- 
date, compressed ; cavity of medi- 
um depth, marrow, abrupt ; suture 
very shallow, indistinct ; apex 
rounded, with a small depression 
at the center ; color light red 
changing to dark red as the sea- 
son advances ; dots numerous, 
small, dark russet, inconspicuous ; 
stem 2^/4 inches long, with small 
leaHets at the base, strongly ad- 
herent to the fruit ; skin thin, ten- 
der, separates readily from the 
pulp ; flesh dark red. with dark- 
colored juice, tender and melting, 
somewhat astringent, sour; of fair 
quality ; stone nearly free when 

fully mature, round-oval, plump, blunt-pointed ; surfaces 

smooth. 

BUNTE AMARELLE. P. Ccrasus. So 
far, Bunte Amarelle has found a place only 
in the trj'ing climate of Iowa and neighboring 
states. The fruit is not attractive enough in 
appearance nor good enough in quality; nor 
is the tree certain and fruitful enough in bear- 
ing to compete with other Araarelles. The 
saving grace of Bunte Amarelle is extreme 
hardiness of tree ; this with vigor and health, 
makes it desirable in the cold prairie regions 
of the Great Plains, where cherry-growing is 
more or less precarious. The variety probably 
originated in Germany in the latter part of 
the eighteenth century. 

Tree vigorous, hardy ; foliage large, coarse. Fruit 
matures the second week in June ; medium to large, 
roundish, flattened at the base ; cavity variable in 
depth ; suture shallow, indistinct ; apex depreLsed ; color 
yellow overspread with light red ; stem green, straight, 
slender, li^-2 inches long; flesh slightly colored, juicy, 
firm but tender, pleasantly subacid ; very good in qual- 
ity ; stone variable in size, broad. 

BURBANK. P. avium. Burbank Early. 
This is a comparatively new cherry from 
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, California. The 
variety has been generally tested in California, 
and all agree that it has some commercial 
value. As yet. Burbank is on probation in 
the East. The large leaves protect the fruit 
from birds, and keep it from cracking in late 
spring rains. Burbank was introduced by its 
originator in 1911. 

The variety is described as having vigorous trees, 
which are certain in bearing, erect in habit and bear 




very large leaves. The fruit is said to be very early, 
large, yellow with red cheek in the sun ; flesh yellow, 
firm, ver>- sweet ; quality good to best ; pit very small 
and clinging somewhat. 

CARNATION. Fig. 118. P. Cerasus. Car- 
nation is one of the Araarelles, similar to 
Montmorency except in color of fruit, in which 
character it is more pleasing 
than the better-known sort. 
The stone separates from 
the pulp very readily, leav- 
ing the flesh unusually 
bright and clean. Because of 
their sprightly refreshing 
flavor, the cherries are 
pleasing to the palate, as 
well as attractive to the 
eye. Unfortunately the trees 
are but moderately vigorous 
and fruitful, and these qual- 
ities count so heavily 
against it as a commercial 
cherry that Carnation can- 
not be more than a fruit 
for amateurs unless under 
exceptional conditions. Car- 
nation is another of the 
choicely good, old chciTies, ,,„ „ 
being "first mentioned in /.^°- ,^J^?-' 
England by John Rea in "°°- ^X^' 
1676. 

Tree medium in size, spreading, becoming drooping, 
not very productive. Leaves very numerous, 4 inches 
long, 2 inches wide, folded upward, oval to obo^■ate, 
thin ; apex acute ; margin finely and doubly serrate, 
glandular ; petiole 2 inches long, slender, dull red on 
the upper surface, with two large, reniform, reddish 
glands on the stalk. Flowers white, 1^ inches across; 
borne in scattered clusters in twos and threes. Fruit 
matures in midseason ; % inch long, 1 inch thick, 
round-oblate, compressed ; cavity deep, abrupt ; suture 
indistinct ; apex flattened ; color medium to dark red ; 
dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous ; stem 1 ^ 
inches long, adlierent to tlie fruit ; skin tender, separat- 
ing readily from the pulp ; tiesh yellowish-white, with 
abundant colorless juice, tender and melting, sprightly ; 
quality very good ; stone free, round, blunt, with smooth 
surfaces. 

CENTENNIAL. P. ariutn. In California, 
Centennial is passing from the period of pro- 
bation to one of general acceptance as a stand- 
ard variety. It has not been well tested in 
the East, but trees growing in a commercial 
orchard at Geneva, New York, show the va- 
riety to be a close competitor with its parent. 
Napoleon. In some respects the fruits surpass 
those of Napoleon. The cherries are larger, 
sweeter, better-flavored, and have smaller pits. 
The trees fall short, however, of those of its 
well-known parent, in being less fruitful. The 
two varieties under comparison may be fur- 
ther distinguished by the more oblate fruits 
of Centennial, by a more mottled color, and 
by the pits, which are longer and more pointed 
in the newer variety. The variety is recom- 
mended for home orchards and experimentally 
for commercial plantations. Centennial was 
grown by Henry Chapman, Napa, California; 
it came in fruit in 1876. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
productive. Leaves numerou.s, large, flattened, long-oval. 



140 



CHAPMAN 



thick ; margin coarsely serrate, with small and incon- 
epicuous glands; petiole I'A inches long, pubescent, 
tin"-ed with red, 2-4 large, reniform, greenish-red, flat- 
tened glands, usually on the stalk. Flowers l'/4 inches 
across, usually arranged in twos and threes. Fruit 
midseason, length of season short ; very large, short- 
cordate, compressed ; cavity deep, wide ; suture distinct, 
broad, shallow ; apex roundish or slightly depressed ; 
color amber-yellow, speckled and overlaid with crim- 
son; dots white, inconspicuous; stem thick, IVt inches 
long, adherent to the pulp ; skin thin, tender, cracks 
badly adherent to the pulp ; flesh white, with colorless 
juice, meaty, crackling, sprightly, sweet; of very good 
quality ; stone semi-clinging, ovate, plump, oblique, 
with smooth surfaces. 

CHAPMAN. P. avium. Chapman is a 
sweet cherry, one of the "Hearts" of common 
parlance, its fruits distinguished and worth 
producing only because they are extra early, 
although when fully ripe they are of very 
good quality. The cherries run small, so that 
the variety requires good care and a choice 
cherry soil for a finely finished product. Tree 
and fruit are preeminently free from fungus 
diseases, but the robin and other birds take 
greater toll than from almost any other cherry, 
beginning their harvest long before the fruit 
is fit for human fare. Chapman might well 
be planted in a small way for a local market, 
but it has no place in large numbers in the 
East; it is more at home in California. Chap- 
man came from a seed of Black Tartarian 
sown bv W. H. Chapman, Napa, California, 
about 1890. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, pro- 
ductive. Leaves numerous, S'/i inches long, 2Vi inches 
wide, long-obovate, thin, slightly rugose ; margin ser- 
rate, glandular ; petiole nearly 2 inches long, slender, 
tinged with red, pubescent along the upper side and 
with a shallow groove, with from 2-4 large, reniform, 
reddish glands. Flowers early, 1 inch across. Fruit 
very early, season averaging 11 days ; about % inch 
in diameter, round-cordate, compressed ; color purplish- 
black ; stem thin, tender, separates from the pulp ; flesh 
reddish, with dark juice, meaty, tender, mild, sweet ; 
of very good quality : stone semi-clinging, oval, com- 
pressed, oblique, with smooth surfaces. 

CLEVELAND. P. avium. Qeveland is a 
Bigarreau which falls so far short of its near 
kin as not to be worth planting except as an 
early cherry of its type, earliness being its one 
saving asset. The cherries closely resemble 
those of Rockport in size, color, shape, and 
flavor; they are in no way better, and are even 
more subject to brown-rot. The crop ripens 
with that of Black Tartarian, a sort with which 
it can never compete in orchard or market. 
Possibly Cleveland has too much merit to be 
wholly neglected, yet it is not worth planting, 
unless it be in a locality in which it does ex- 
ceptionally well and in which an early cherry 
of its kind is wanted. Cleveland is said by 
its introducer. Professor J. P. Kirtland, Cleve- 
land, Ohio, who brought it out in 1842, to be 
a seedling from Yellow Spanish. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open, very productive. Leaves numerous, 5 inches long, 
2% inches wide, long-elliptical, thin; margin coarsely 
and doubly serrate, glandular ; petiole often 2 inches 
long, red, slender, hairy, grooved, glandless or with 
1-4 reniform, reddish glands on the stalk. Flowers 
white, IVi inches across; borne in scattered clusters, 
usually in twos. Fruit early ; about % inch in diame- 
ter, cordate, compressed, with an irregular surface ; 



DIKEMAN 

cavity wide, flaring, irregular ; suture shallow, indistinct ; 
apex obtusely-pointed; color light red overspreading 
yellow ; dots numerous, small, yellowish, obscure ; stem 
slender, 1% inches long, adherent to the fruit; skin 
thin, tender, separating readily from the pulp ; flesh 
light yellow, with colorless juice, tender and melting, 
sweet ; good in quality ; stone clinging, large. % inch 
long, oval, flattened at the base, plump, with smooth 
surfaces. 

COE. Fig. 119. P. avium. Coc's Trans- 
parent. Coe, long known as Coe's Transparent, 
is the first of the light-colored cherries to 
ripen, and is an excellent fruit in quality and 
appearance. One 
defect is variability 
in color of fruit, 
the variant usually 
being very light- 
colored ; and an- 
other, that the 
cherries run small. 
The tree-characters 
are in the main 
very good. The 
variety can be dis- 
tinguished by the 
large, spreading 
tree; by hardiness, 
vigor, healthful- 
ness, and fruitful- 
ness. Coe is worthy 
of a place in every 
home plantation 
and in orchards for 
local markets. Cur- 
tis Coe, Middle- 
town, Connecticut, 
grew this variety 
early in the nine- 
teenth century 
from a pit of Ox 
Heart. 119. Coe. (XD 

Tree large, vigorous, upright- spreading, open, very 
productive. Leaves numerous, 4 y^ inches long, 2 ^ 
inches wide ; margin coarsely serrate, with small, black 
glands; petiole 1% inches long, thick, tinged with red, 
grooved, hairy, with 2-3 large, reniform, greenish -yellow 
or reddish glands on the stalk. Flowers midseason, 1^4 
inches across, white ; borne in dense clusters, thickly 
distributed over the tree in twos and threes. Fruit 
early ; 1 inch in diameter, round -cordate, slightly com- 
pressed ; cavity regular, abrupt ; suture indistinct ; apex 
blunt-pointed or slightly depressed ; color pale amber 
faintly mottled with red ; dots small, light yellow, in- 
conspicuous ; stem slender, 1 Vs inches long, adherent 
to the pulp ; flesh pale yellow, with colorless juice, 
tender, meaty, mild, sweet ; good to very good in qual- 
ity ; stone semi-free or free, somewhat flattened, blunt, 
with smooth surfaces. 

DIKEMAN. P. avium. Dikeman has some 
merit as a very late sweet cherry, but here its 
usefulness ends. The cherries are too small 
and the pits too large for the variety to have 
great worth. The tree is somewhat remarkable 
for its spreading habit and stout branches. 
Two very similar cherries, with a variation in 
the spelling, pass under this name. Late in 
the eighteenth century there appeared a cherry 
on the Dyckman farm near New York City. 
Some thought it to be identical with Black 
Tartarian ; others said it was distinct and called 
it Dyckman. It was never more than of local 




DOUBLE GLASS 



DYEHOUSE 



note. About 1890, the late S. D. Willard, 
Geneva, New York, introduced the Dikeman 
cherry from the farm of George B. Dikeman, 
Oceana County, Michigan. 

Tree large, vigorous, broadly-spreading, open-topped, 
productive. Leaves numerous. 4% indies long, 2Vi 
inches wide, folded upward, long-elliptical, thin ; mar- 
gin coarsely and doubly serrate; petiole about 1% inches 
long, tinged with red, with a few hairs, with 1-4 
reniform, reddish glands on the stalk. Flowers mid- 
season, white, 1% inches across; borne in scattering 
clusters, in ones, twos or threes. Fruit late ; % inch 
in diameter, cordate ; cavity wide, flaring ; suture shal- 
low, indistinct : apex slightly pointed, with a small 
depression at tlie center ; color purplish-black ; dots 
numerous, small, dark russet, inconspicuous ; stem slender, 
1^ inclies long, adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, 
adherent to the pulp ; flesh dark red, with dark-colored 
juice, very meaty, crisp, mild, aromatic, sweet ; of good 
quality ; stone clinging, longer than wide, ovate, flat- 
tened, with smooth surfaces, marked with a reddish tinge. 

DOUBLE GLASS. P. avium X P- Cerasus. 
Great Cornelian. Glass. Double Glass is a 
Duke, a hybrid more nearly resembling the 
sweet than the sour cherry. The trees grow re- 
markably well in nursery and orchard, and 
their behavior so pleased growers when the 
variety was brought to notice that it became 
for a time quite the vogue. But the trees 
turned out to be unproductive and the cher- 
ries so mediocre that the variety rapidly passed 
through its heyday of popularity. The fruits 
are curiously marked, the suture being so deep 
as to make them appear double — hence the 
name. The variety has no value where sweet 
sorts are hardy, but might find a niche some- 
where in regions where the more tender sweet 
cherry cannot be grown. This variety dates 
back in Germany to 1792. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading becoming di- 
vergent with age, usually hardy, rather unproductive ; 
leaves healthy, small to medium, ovate, with serrated 
margins. Fruit midseason ; usually large, round-oblate, 
with a very deep suture ; color liglit red becoming nmch 
darker at maturity ; stem long, thick ; skin tiiin. toU'.cli, 
translucent ; flesh yellowish, with abundant uncolored 
juice, firm, tender, sprightly ; good in quality ; stone 
medium in size, round. 

DOUBLE NATTE. P. Cerasus. Riga. 
Double Natte is a cherry of the Morello group 
hardly equal to English Morello except when 
earliness is a requisite, for this sort is one 
of the earliest of the Morellos. From the 
eulogistic reports of its behavior in the Middle 
West, it would seem that Double Natte is 
better adapted to the Mississippi Valley than 
elsewhere in this country. The variety was 
first mentioned by Knoop, the Dutch po- 
mologist, in 1771. Some years ago J. L. Budd 
imported from Russia a cherry under the name 
Riga No. 18. This cherry has been grown 
under the name Riga, but the descriptions of 
Riga are identical with those of Double Natte. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
somewhat vasiform. productive. Leaves numerous, 3% 
inclies long, 1% inches wide, short-obovate. thick, stiff; 
margin coarsely serrate, glandular; petiole thick, dull 
red, 1 inch long, glandless or witli 1 or 2 small glands 
at the base of the blade. Flowers midseason, white. Hi 
inches across ; borne in scattering clusters in twos 
and threes. Fruit early ; % inch in diameter, cordate 
to conical, compressed ; cavity abrupt, regular ; suture 
deep, distinct, often extending entirely around the fruit; 



apex depressed ; color dark red ; dots numerous, small, 
brown, obscure ; skin tough, separating readily from the 
pulp ; fles.j dark red, with reddish juice, tender and 
melting, spriglitly, sour ; good to very good in quality ; 
stone nearly free, longer than wide, nearly round, 
slightly flattened, with smooth surfaces. 

DOWNER. P. avium. Downer's Red 
Heart. Downer's Late. Downer is one of the 
Hearts, much prized for its late, delicately 
and richly flavored fruits. Several defects 
keep it from being a variety of any consider- 
able worth: the trees thrive only in the 
choicest soils; are often unhealthy and lacking 
in vigor; and the yield is small because the 
fruits are small. So, while the variety is 
desirable in a home orchard, as the crop ripens 
after almost all other dessert cherries have 
gone. Downer has small place in a commercial 
plantation. It should be said in its favor, 
as a commercial fruit, that the crop stands 
harvesting and shipping very well. Downer 
takes the name of Samuel Downer, Dorches- 
ter, Massachusetts, who grew it some time 
before 1832. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
productive. Leaves numerous, 3 inches long, 1%, inches 
wide, obovate. rather stiff ; margin doubly serrate, 
glandular ; petiole 1 inch long, thick, dark red, glandless 
or with 1-3 large, globose or reniform glands on the 
stalk. Flowers midseason, white, H4 inches across; 
borne in thin clusters in ones and twos. Fruit the 
latest ; % inch in diameter, round-cordate, compressed ; 
cavity shallow, flaring ; suture obscure ; apex pointed ; 
color light to dark red frequently showing an amber 
background on the shaded side ; dots numerous, small, 
russet; stem 1% inches long, adherent to the fruit: 
skin tough, separating from the pulp ; flesh pale yellow, 
with colorless juice, stringy, tender, with soft flesh, mild 
and pleasant, sweet when fully ripe ; good to very good 
in quality ; stone large, free, ovate, flattened, with 
smooth surfaces. 

DYEHOUSE. P. Cerasiis. Dyehouse is 
conspicuous among cherries for its early and 
beautiful fruit. Early Richmond is the stand- 
ard early cherry, yet Dyehouse ripens its crop 
a week earlier, and the fruits are just as attrac- 
tive in appearance and equally well-flavored. 
It IS near of kin to Early Richmond, but the 
two may be distinguished by the difference in 
time of" ripening and by the brighter, clearer 
color, greater opaqueness, more highly colored 
juice and slightly smaller size of the fruits 
of Dvehouse. Possibly this cherry would 
supersede the better-known Early Richmond 
were it not for the defect in size, and for the 
further faults of being less productive and 
more sensitive to environment, as it fails to 
thrive in localities where the older sort is 
quite at home. A Mr. Dyehouse, Lincoln 
County, Kentucky, raised the first tree of 
Dyehouse from a pit about 1860. 

Tree small, vigorous, spreading, with drooping branch- 
lets, dense, round-topped, productive. Leaves numerous, 
3 inches long, 1% inches wide; margin finely serrate, 
with small, dark glands ; petiole V4 inch long, with 1-3 
small, globose, greenish-yellow glands at the base of 
the blade. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, white ; 
borne in dense clusters, usually at the ends of spur-like 
branches in twos, threes or fours. Fruits early; M inch 
in diameter, oblate, compressed ; cavity of medium 
depth, narrow, abrupt, regular ; suture indistinct ; apex 
flattened, with a small depression at the center ; color 
dark red ; dots numerous, small, obscure ; stem 1 inch 
long, adhering well ; skin thin, tough ; flesh light 



142 



EARLY MORELLO 



EARLY RICHMOND 



yellowish -white, with pinkish juice, tender, sprightly, 
tart ; quality very good ; stone free, ovate, flattened, with 
smooth surfaces. 

EARLY MORELLO. P. Ccrasm. About 
all that can be said in praise of Early Morello 
is that the trees are hardy, healthy, vigorous, 
fruitful, and regular in bearing. The cherries 
show the variety to be of the Amarelle group, 
but are such as to make it far inferior to 
Montmorency and other well-known Amarelles. 
The name is misleading, as the variety has 
little in common, in fruit or tree, with the 
true Morellos. Early Morello was introduced 
by Professor J. L. Budd from Orel, Russia, as 
Orel No. 23. The tree has proved very pro- 
ductive and hardy throughout the West. The 
cherries resemble those of Early Richmond, 
though smaller, a trifle darker, less acid, and 
appearing a week later. A dark-fleshed variety 
from Erfurt, Prussia, was sent out from Rose- 
dale, Kansas, where it is known as Early 
Morello. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, very 
productive. Leaves 2% inclies long, 1^/z inclies wide, 
thick, stiff, dark green, rather glossy, smooth ; margin 
finely and doubly serrate, with small, dark glands ; 
petiole glandless or with 1-3 small, globose, brown or 
yellowish glands. Flowers late, 1 inch across. Fruit 
midseason ; about % inch in diameter, oblate, com- 
pressed ; color dark red ; stem 1 inch long, adhering to 
the fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating from the pulp ; 
flesh light yellow, with pinkish juice, tender and melt- 
ing, sprightly, tart ; of very good quality ; stone free, 
ovate, flattened, slightly pointed, with smooth surfaces, 
somewhat tinged with red. 

EARLY PURPLE 
GUIGNE. Fig. 120. 
P. avium. Early Pur- 
ple. Purple Guigne. 
Early Purple Guigne is 
a valuable cherry on 
account of the earli- 
ness, attractiveness, and 
high quality of its 
fruits. The trees bear 
well and regularly after 
having become estab- 
lished in the orchard, 
but are poor growers in 
the nursery. More than 
most cherries, this one 
responds to good care 
and a choice cherry 
soil, a warm, free-work- 
ing loam being best. A 
serious defect of the 
tree is that the fruit- 
spurs are easily broken 
during pickmg, and the 
crop of the next season 
thereby cut short. The 
cherries do not attain 
their rich purple color 
until full maturity is 
reached. No home col- 
lection should be with- 
out this variety, and it can often be profitably 
grown for the local market. Early Purple 
Guigne is the Early Purple of Ray in 1688. 
The variety was brought to America over a 
bundred years ago. 




120. Early Purple 
Guigne. (XD 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
very productive. Leases numerous, 4 inches long, 1% 
inches wide, obovate, thin ; margin finely serrate, with 
small dark-colored glands on the stalk. Flowers early, 
white, 1^/4 inches across; borne in scattering clusters, 
usually in twos. Fruit very early ; 1 inch in diameter, 
cordate, slightly compressed ; cavity regular ; suture a 
faint line ; apex pointed ; color purplish-black ; dots 
numerous, small, grayish, obscure ; stem tinged with 
red, slender, 2 inclies long, adhering to the fruit ; skin 
thin, tender, separating readily from the pulp ; flesh 
dark reddish-purple, with dark-colored juice, tender, 
melting, mild, sweet ; of very good quality ; stone free, 
large, broadly oval, compressed near the apex, with 
smooth surfaces. 

EARLY RICHMOND. Fig. 121. P. Cer- 
asus. Virginia May. Early May. Kentish. 
French. Early Richmond has long been the 
leading sour cherry of its season. It is not a 
remarkable variety in its fruit-characters, for 
the cherries are but medium 
in size, mediocre in quality, 
and not handsomer than 
those of other Amarelles 
with which it belongs. The 
fruits are very good for cul- 
inary purposes, and, when 
well ripened, may be eaten 
out of hand with relish by 
those who like the refresh- 
ing acidity of a sour cherry. 
They make a very good 
canned product, and before 
cherries were largely canned 
for the markets were much 
used in making dried cher- 
ries, — a delicious sweetmeat 
which kept for several 
months. The cherries are 
remarkable for the tenacity 
with which the stone clings 
to the stem. The tree 
thrives in varied soils and climates from 
the St. Lawrence to the Carolinas and from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific— everywhere vig- 
orous, healthy, and fruitful. For the many 
purposes for which the fruit may be used, 
and because of the characters of the tree. 
Early Richmond is indispensable in every 
home and commercial orchard. This variety 
was early brought to America, where it be- 
came known as Early Richmond, as the first 
trees were grown at Richmond, Virginia. It 
was also grown as Virginia May, while in the 
West it has been called Early May. The 
French cherry, introduced into the lower St. 
Lawrence region, is very similar to Early 
Richmond. This strain, propagated from seed 
or sprouts, seems to be hardier than Early 
Richmond. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense, round-topped. Leaves numerous, SVz inches long, 
1% inches wide, obovate, thick; margin finely and 
doubly serrate, glandular ; petiole glandless or with 1 
or 2 globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers midseason, 
IVi inclies across, white; borne in scattering clusters, 
usually in twos and threes. Fruit early ; % inch in 
diameter, round-oblate, compressed ; cavity abrupt, regu- 
l.Tr ; suture indistinct ; apex flattened ; color dark red ; 
dots numerous, small, russet ; stem slender, 1 inch 
long, adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, tough, separating 
from the pulp ; flesh pale yellow, with light pink juice, 
stringy, tender and melting, sprightly ; good to very 
good in quality ; stone free, small, round-ovate, pointed, 
with smooth surfaces. 




ELKHORN 



ENGLISH MORELLO 



143 



ELKHORN. P. avium. Elkhora hag 
served its day, and is now being rapidly 
superseded by other cherries of the Bigarrcau 
group to which it belongs. It was valued by 
the old pomologists because of its large fruits, 
which have firm flesh, ripen late, are rich in 
flavor, and hang well on the tree long after 
maturity. But Elkhorn fails in bearing cher- 
ries quite variable in size, and in being but 
moderately productive. The bark of the trunk 
and main branches is so heavily overspread 
with gray as to make the color a distinguishing 
mark. The fruit is distinct in appearance by 
reason of the irregular surface of the skin 
Elkhorn is an old English variety first men^ 
tioned in America by William Prince in 1832, 

Tree large, very vigorous, upright, open-topped, mod 
erately productive. iLeaves numerous, 3% inches long, 
2 ^^ inches wide, obovate, thin ; margin coarsely serrate, 
glandular ; petiole with 1-3 raised glands on the stalk. 
Fruit late midseason ; % inch in diameter, cordate to 
conical, compressed ; cavity deep, wide, flaring ; suture 
indistinct ; apex rounded or pointed, with a slight de, 
pression at the center ; color purplish-black ; dots nu- 
merous, small, dark russet, inconspicuous; stem 1% 
inches long, adhering to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, 
adhering somewhat to the pulp ; flesh characteristically 
dark purplish-red, with very dark-colored juice, meaty, 
firm, crisp, sweet ; of good quality ; stone semi-free, 
ovate, flattened, slightly pointed, with smooth surfaces, 
tinged with red. 

ELTON. Fig. 122. P. avium. Elton is dis- 
tinguished by the form, color, flesh, and flavor 
of its fruit. The cherries are oblong-heart- 
shaped, too much drawn out for best appear- 
ance, and often too 
oblique; the color is 
dark red, mottled with 
amber, very bright, 
clear, and glossy ; the 
flesh, a little too soft to 
ship well, is delicate 
and most pleasing to 
the palate; the flavor 
is peculiarly rich and 
luscious, hardly sur- 
passed by that of any 
other cherrj'. The trees 
may be as readily rec- 
ognized as the fruit, by 
the unusually dark red 
color of the petioles of 
the leaves. The branches 
are stout and bear the 
crop thickly placed, 
close to the wood, and 
in prodigious quanti- 
ties. Unfortimately the 
variety has a fault 
which makes it almost 
unfit for a commercial 
plantation. Brown-rot, 
the scourge of the sweet 
cherry, attacks this va- 
riety more aggressively 
than almost any other 
sort and for this reason, 
while its merits can hardly be too highly 
spoken of, Elton must remain a variety for 
the home orchard. The tree is a little tender 
to cold. This is another cherry from Thomas 




122. Elton. <X1) 



Andrew Knight, the great English pomologist, 
who fruited it first about 1806. It was brought 
to America in 1823. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
very productive. Leaves numerous, 5^ inches long, 2*4 
inclies wide, long-obovate, thin ; margin doubly serrate, 
with small dark glands ; petiole 2 inches long, heavily 
tinged witii red, with 2-4 reniform or globose, reddish- 
brown glands. Flowers midseason, 1^ inches across, 
white ; borne in twos and threes. Fruit early ; about 1 
inch long, % iTich wide, cordate, conical, somewhat 
compressed and oblique ; cavity abrupt, regular ; suture 
indistinct ; apex distinctly pointed ; color dark red 
with an amber tinge, faintly mottled ; dots numerous, 
small, light yellow, obscure; stem slender, 1% inches 
long : skin thin, tender, separatipg from the pulp ; flesh 
white with a tinge of yellow, with colorless juice, 
slightly stringy, tender, very mild, sweet ; of good 
quality ; stone free, long-ovate, flattened, with smooth 
surfaces. 

EMPRESS EUGENIE. Fig. 123. P. 
avium X P- Cerasus. Eugenie. This old French 
cherry, for many years largely advertised and 
widely sold in America, does not thrive iu the 
New World. The two 
faults that condemn it 
here are that the cher- 
ries ripen very uneven- 
ly, making several pick- 
ings necessary, and the 
trees are so small that, 
though loaded with 
fruit, the total yield is 
not large. Lesser faults 
are that the cherries are 
not uniform in shape, 
and are borne thickly in 
closed clusters, so that 
when brown-rot is rife 
this variety suffers 
greatly. The short stem, 
too, prevents easy pick- 
ing. In a home planta- 
tion, where the uneven- 
ness in ripening can be 
utilized to prolong the 
season, and where 
dwarfness may not be 
undesirable. Empress 
Eugenie may well find 
a place. This cherry 
appeared in 1845 as a 
chance seedling near 
Paris, France. 

Tree small, not very vigorous, upright, becoming 
round-topped, very productive. Leaves numerous, 3% 
inches long, 1% inches wide, obovate, thick; margin 
doubly serrate, with small, dark glands; petiole % 
mch long, glandless or with 1 or 2 small, globose, 
greenish-yellow or reddish glands at the base of the 
blade. Flowers midseason, l\i inches across, white; 
borne in very dense clusters in threes and fours. Fruit 
midseason ; % inch in diameter, round-conic to oblate- 
conic, compressed ; cavity narrow ; suture very shallow, 
indistinct ; apex flattened or depressed ; color dark red ; 
dots numerous, small, dark russet, obscure; stem IVt 
inches long, adherent to the fruit ; skin tough, separating 
from the pulp ; flesh pale red, with pink juice, tender, 
meaty, sprightly, pleasantly flavored, tart ; of good qual- 
ity; stone semi-clinging, small, ovate, flattened, oblique, 
with smooth surfaces. 

ENGLISH MORELLO. Fig. 124. P. 

Cerasus. Morris. Large Morello. Northern 
Griotte. Colorado Morello. English Morello 




123. Empress 
Eugenie. (Xl) 



144 



FLORENCE 



HOMER 




is the standard late sour cherry ia North 
America, occupying at the close of the season 
the place held by Montmorency in midseason. 
The fruits are not for the table, and can 
hardly be eaten out of hand until some of 
the astringency and acidity is destroyed by 
thorough ripening. In any 
way cherries are prepared by 
cooking, however, they are 
of the best, as culinary 
processes give the fruits a 
rich, dark wine color, very 
attractive in appearance, and 
a most pleasant, sprightly, 
aromatic flavor. The cher- 
ries are handsome in ap- 
pearance, bear harvesting 
and shipping well, are re- 
sistant to brown-rot, and 
hang long on the trees after 
ripening. One may always 
know the trees once seen; 
they are small and round- 
headed, with branches that 
distinctly droop. To be suf- 
ficiently productive, an Eng- 
lish Morello orchard must 
be closely set; for, although 
the trees are vigorous and 
productive for their size, 
they are too dwarf to yield heavily. The trees 
are hardy but not always healthy, and are not 
adapted to so great a diversity of soils as might 
be wished. The variety probably originated in 
Holland or Germany, whence it was intro- 
duced into England and later into America. 
Wragg is thought by some to be identical with 
this cherry, and if not, it differs but little; 
Northern Griotte, introduced by Budd from 
Russia, is English Morello; Morris, or Col- 
orado Morello, put out by John Morris, Gol- 
den, Colorado, is also English Morello. 

Tree small, upright-spreading, with drooping branch- 
lets, dense-topped. Leaves numerous, 2% inches long, 
1% inches wide, obovate ; margin faintly serrate, with 
email, dark glands ; petiole % inch long, with small, 
globose or reniform, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 
late, 1 inch across, white ; borne in scattering clusters 
in twos and threes. Fruit very late ; about % inch 
in diameter, round-cordate, compressed ; cavity shallow, 
narrow, flaring, regular ; suture a shallow groove ; apex 
rounded, with a small depression at the center ; color 
dark red becoming almost black ; dots numerous, small, 
dark russet, conspicuous ; stem slender, 1 inch long, 
adhering well to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating 
from the pulp ; flesh dark red, with dark-colored juice, 
tender and melting, sprightly, tart ; of good quality ; 
stone free, small, ovate, flattened and pointed, with 
smooth surfaces, tinged with red. 

FLORENCE. Fig. 125. P. avium. Kne- 
vett's Late Bigarreau. Florence Heart. Flor- 
ence is a Bigarreau so similar to Yellow 
Spanish as to be hardly worth planting, since 
it is surpassed by its better-known rival. The 
fruit hangs on the tree in edible condition 
an almost phenomenal length of time, which 
fact has given rise to much divergence of 
opinion as to its season, some poraologists 
rating it as early, others as midseason. and 
still others as late. The trees are not so 
healthful, vigorous, or fruitful as those of 




Yellow Spanish, with which it must compete, 
nor are the cherries quite so fine in appearance 
or quality. This variety was found in Flor- 
ence, Italy, early in the nineteenth century 
by John Houblon, who 
took it to England, 
whence it was brought 
to America. 

Tree vigorous, upright, 
open - topped, productive. 
Leaves numerous, variable 
in size, averaging 4 inches 
long, 2 inches wide, obo- 
vate, thin ; margin coarsely 
and doubly serrate, glandu- 
lar ; petiole 1% inches long, 
thick, pubescent, dull red, 
with 2-4 large, reniform, red 
glands. Flowers midseason, 
1 y^ inches across, white ; 
borne in dense clusters in 
twos and threes. Fruit early ; 
1 inch in diameter, cordate, 
compressed ; cavity deep, 
wide ; suture very shallow ; 
apex pointed ; color reddish 
over an amber background, 
marked with indistinct, 
white spots and streaks; dots 
numerous, small, white, in- 
conspicuous ; stem IVz inches 
long, adherent to the fruit ; 
skin thin, separating from the 
pulp ; flesh yellowish-white, 
with colorless juice, tender, 
meaty, crisp, sprightly, 
sweet ; of very good quality ; 
stone clinging, cordate, flat- 
tened, blunt, with rough sur- 
faces. 

GEORGE GLASS. P. Cerasus. George 
Glass has been widely heralded as a desirable 
variety in the Middle West, but in the East, 
where it has passed through a rather lengthy 
probationary period, practically all who have 
tried it declare it worthless. It is of the 
Amarelle group, and cannot compete with the 
many good varieties of its kinship, as Early 
Richmond or the several Montmorencies. Its 
season is between Early Richmond and Mont- 
morency. As compared with the last-named 
variety, the fruits of George Glass are smaller, 
sourer, less attractive in appearance, and the 
trees are far less fruitful, but possibly more 
hardy ; this character commends it for the 
colder parts of the Mississippi Valley. The 
variety is supposed to have been introduced 
into Iowa by immigrants from northeastern 
Germany. It has been confused with Brusseler 
Braune and Bessarabian, and by some is 
thought to be identical with the latter. 

Tree large and vigorous, upright-spreading, rather open, 
hardy, appears unproductive. Leaves numerous, 4 inches 
long, 2 inches wide, obovate, thick, stiff, dark green; 
petiole % inch long, with 1 or 2 small, globose, reddish- 
orange glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across ; borne 
in dense clusters. Fruit midseason ; % inch long, 1 inch 
wide, oblate, compressed ; cavity deep ; color light red 
changing to dark red ; stem 1 inch long, adherent to 
the fruit ; skin separating from the pulp ; flesh yellowish- 
white, with abundant colorless juice, stringy, tender and 
melting, rather mild for a sour cherry ; good to very 
good in quality ; stone free, round or slightly oblate, 
plump, blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

HOMER. P. Cerasus. Homer is a cherry 
of the Amarelle type from New England, which 
has little or no value in the East, but seems 



IDA 



KNIGHT EARLY BLACK 



145 



to be very valuable in the northern states of 
the Great Plains because of hardiness. Nur- 
serymen say that Homer is the hardiest of all 
European cherries in Minnesota and the Da- 
kotas, and about the only cherry of its type 
that can be grown in those states. The variety 
was first described at the Iowa Experiment 
Station in 1903. 

Tree rather small, somewhat spreading and drooping, 
very hardy, healthy and productive. Fruit early, ripen- 
ing about with Early Richmond ; medium to large ; round 
oblate ; stem sliort. stout ; cavity shallow and of medium 
width ; skin red becoming very dark red witli maturity, 
thin, rather tough ; flesh tender, uncolored, juicy, mild 
subacid ; quality tair to good ; pit round, semi-clinging, 
of medium size. 

IDA. Fig. 126. P. avium. The fruit of Ida 
is large, light red, resembling that of Napoleon 
in shape and that of Rockport in color, but 
differing from both in having soft flesh, which 
places it among the 
Hearts rather than the 
Bigarreaus. Because 
of beauty of fruit, 
earliness, and good 
tree-characters, Ida 
promises to become a 
rather general fa\-or- 
ite in home orchards, 
though it falls short 
in flavor and flesh- 
characters in the 
fruits. It can never 
take a high place 
among commercial 
kinds, because the 
cherries are too soft 
to handle well, show 
bruises plainly, are 
somewhat susceptible 
to brown-rot, and 
come when better 
cherries are plentiful. 
The trees are vigor- 
ous and hardy, and 
bear full crops regu- 
larly and in various 
environments. The 
variety is readily rec- 
ognized by the up- 
right habit of growth 
and by the large lenticels on the trunk and 
branches. Ida has been very well tried as a 
commercial variety, but in the ups and downs 
of the industry has not held its own with 
other sorts. E. H. Cocklin, Shepherdstown, 
Pennsylvania, grew this variety about 1870. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, vasiform, 
very productive. Leaves 5Vz inches long, 2M: inches 
wide, obovate, thin ; margin doubly crenate, with small, 
black glands; petiole 2% inches long, thick, usually 
with 2 large, reniform, reddish glands on the stalk. 
Flowers midseason, white, IV* inches across; borne in 
clusters, usually in twos. Fruit early ; % inch in 
diameter, cordate, slightly compressed ; cavity deep, 
flaring, regular ; suture a distinct line ; apex variable 
in shape ; color amber overspread with light red, mot- 
tled ; dots numerous, large, yellowish, somewhat con- 
spicuous ; stem IVa inches long; skin thin, separating 
readily from the pulp ; flesh white, with colorless juice, 
tender and melting, mild, sweet ; of gooii quality ; stone 
free or semi-free, round, flattened, blunt, with smooth 
surfaces. 




126. Ida. (XI) 



KING AMARELLE. P. Ccrasus. Kings 
Cherry. King Amarclle is an old European 
cherry which has taken on new life in America. 
It is of the Early Richmond type, differing in 
bearing fruit a little earlier, lighter in color, 
and with a longer stem. The fault which all 
but condemns the variety as a commercial 
cherry is the small size of the fruit, the cherries 
running smaller than those of Early Richmond. 
The tree is like that of Early Richmond — quite 
as vigorous and productive, of the same size 
and shape, and a little more hardy. The 
variety is recognized from afar in blossoming- 
time by the peculiar distribution of the flower- 
clusters, which are numerous and dense, but 
ahvays separated by several inches of bare 
wood. King Amarelle can never displace Early 
Richmond, but might be tried where a hardier 
cherry is wanted. This variety, of old and un- 
certain origin, sprang up in France more than 
a century ago. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, very productive. Leaves S^A inches long, 
1^ inches wide, obovate, glossy, thick; margin finely 
and doubly serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole 
1 inch long, slender, with 1-3 small, globose, greenish- 
yellow glands. Flowers midseason, white, 1^ inches 
across ; borne in dense clusters, usually in threes. Fruit 
early ; % inch in diameter, round-oblate, compressed ; 
cavity regular, abrupt ; suture indistinct ; apex roundish 
or flattened ; color bright red ; dots numerous, small, 
light russet, conspicuous ; stem 1 inch long, adhering 
to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating from the pulp ; 
flesh pale yellow, with colorless juice, tender and melting, 
sprightly; fair to good in quality; stone free, ovate, 
flattened, pointed, with smooth surfaces, tinged with red. 

KIRTLAND. P. avium. Kirtland's Mary. 
Mary. Kirtland stands among the best of the 
Bigarreaus in quality of fruit; in fact, the 
cherries are hardly surpassed in richness and 
delicacy of flavor. They are also handsome, 
resembling those of Napoleon, but are a little 
darker in color. The fle.sh is firm and meaty 
and stands handling well. With these excel- 
lent qualities of fruit, Kirtland would long ago 
have been one of the standard commercial 
cherries, were its tree-characters better. 
Wherever tried, the trees lack vigor, and can 
be grown only on choice cherry soils and under 
the best of care. With these faults the variety 
can be recommended only for home orchards 
and for local markets where there is demand 
for a very early Bigarreau, since this variety 
ripens before most other cherries of its kind. 
Kirtland was grown in 1842 by J. P. Kirtland, 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

Tree small, rather weak, upright-spreading, open- 
topped, productive. Leaves 5 inches long, 2 inches wide, 
obovate. thin ; margin doubly serrate with small, dark 
glands; petiole 1% inches long, slender, with 2 or 3 
reniform, reddish glands. Flowers midseason, white, 
IVi inches across; borne in dense clusters. Fruit mid- 
season ; % inch in diameter, cordate, compressed ; cavity 
wide, flaring ; suture a more or less distinct line ; apex 
rounded or pointed, with a small depression at the 
center ; color amber overspread with bright red ; dots 
numerous, small, gray, conspicuous; stem 1% inches 
long, adhering to the fruit ; skin tough ; flesh white, 
with colorless juice, tender, meaty, with a pleasant and 
refreshing flavor ; very good to best in quality ; ston.- 
free, small, round-ovate, with sniootli surfaces. 

KNIGHT EARLY BLACK. Fig. 127. P 
avium. Possibly Knight Early Black is to bo 



146 



LAMBERT 



LARGE MONTMORENCY 



found in dooryards and home gardens in 
eastern United States as often as any other 
sweet cherry with the exception of Black 
Tartarian. The characters which give it popu- 
larity are chiefly those of its fruits, which 
are excellent in quality 
and handsome in ap- 
pearance. The cherries 
are of a glossy, dark 
purple color, and are 
uniform in color, shape, 
and size. Unfortunate- 
ly the fruits run small, 
leading to low yields. 
Knight, in size, color, 
and flavor of fruit is 
much like Black Tar- 
tarian, but the cherries 
are smaller and ripen 
earlier. The trees are 
about all that could 
be desired in a sweet 
cherry ; these are char- 
acteristically marked 
by smooth bark dotted 
with large lenticels. 
This old variety has too 
many merits, especially 
for home grounds, to be 
wholly forgotten. 
Knight came from T. 
A. Knight, Downton 
Castle, Wiltshire, Eng- 
land, about 1810. 




127. Knight Early 
Black. (XI) 



Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
very productive. Leaves numerous, 5^ inches long, 2^^ 
inches wide, long-oval, thin; margin doubly serrate; 
petiole 2 inches long with 2 or 3 large, reniform, red- 
dish glands. Flowers midseason, white, IV^ inches 
across ; borne in dense clusters, usually in twos. Fruit 
earlv ; % inch in diameter, conical ; cavity wide, rather 
abrupt ; suture indistinct ; apex flattened, with a small 
depression at the cen- 
ter : color dark reddish- 
black, obscurely mot- 
tled ; dots numerous, 
email, russet, obscure ; 
6tem slender, 1^ in- 
ches long, adhering 
well to the fruit ; skin 
thin, tender, separating 
from the pulp ; flesh 
dark red. with dark- 
colored juice, tender, 
meaty, mild, sweet ; of 
good quality ; stone 
free, small, round- 
ovate, with smooth sur- 
faces. 

LAMBERT. 

Fig. 128. P arinm. 
In appearance, the 
fruits of Lambert 
are like those of 
Black Heart, hav- 
ing much the same 
shape and color, 
but larger, more 
rotund, smoother, 
and brighter. The 
flesh and flavor 
leave little to be 
desired : the flesh 




128. Lambert. (XD 



is purplish-red marbled with lighter red, firm, 
meaty, and juicy, with a sweet, rich flavor that 
at the first taste one marks "very good." The 
tree is strong, vigorous, healthy, and usually 
fruitful and regular in bearing. The fruit sets 
in great loose clusters, often a dozen or more 
cherries to the fruit-spur. The leaves are re- 
markably large, of dark green color, the foliage 
betokening the vigor of the variety. Lambert 
is well worthy of thorough testing for either 
home or market wherever the sweet cherry can 
be grown. It originated as a seedling under a 
Napoleon tree, about 1848, in the orchard of 
J. H. Lambert, Milwaukee, Oregon. 

Tree medium to large in size and vigor, upright- 
spreading, very productive. Leaves iVt inches long, 
2 ^ inches wide, obo\'ate, thin ; margin doubly serrate, 
glandular; petiole 1^^ inches long, glandless, or with 
1-3 small, globose, reddish glands. Flowers midseason, 
1^ inclies across, white; borne usually in twos. Fruit 
midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, round-cordate, com- 
pressed ; cavity deep, flaring ; suture shallow, often a 
mere line; apex rounded, depressed at the center; color 
very dark red changing to reddish-black ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, obscure ; stem tinged with red, slender, 
1 V4 inches long, adherent to the fruit ; slcin thin, 
adhering to the pulp ; flesh dark red, with scant dark 
red juice, meaty, firm, pleasantly flavored, sweet ; of 
very good quality ; stone clinging, large, wide, ovate, 
flattened, blunt, oblique, with smooth surfaces. 

LARGE MONT- 
MORENCY. Fig. 129. 
P. Ccrasus. Flemish. 
Short Stem Mont- 
morency. Montmoren- 
cy. Large Montmoren- 
cy is easily distin- 
guished by several 
marked characters from 
the common Montmor- 
ency, known to all, 
with which it is most 
often confused. Its 
fruits are more often 
borne singly, are larger, 
have a shorter, thicker 
stem, are more oblate, 
and ripen a little earlier. 
The trees are more up- 
right, with stouter 
branches, and are far 
less fruitful. The flesh- 
characters of the two 
kinds are much the same; the flavor in both 
is particularly refreshing to those who like 
the acidity of the sour cherry. Large Mont- 
morency has been tried and found wanting in 
productiveness, so that it can rarely be recom- 
mended as a commercial variety, but it is 
much too good a fruit to be wholly lost, and 
should be grown by connoisseurs who want a 
large, finely flavored sour cherry. Large Mont- 
morency came to America from England about 
the same time as Montmorency and Early 
Richmond, early in the nineteenth century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, vasiform, unproductive. 
Leaves numerous, 3*^ inches long, 1% inches wide, thick, 
stiff ; margin serrate, glandular ; petiole 1 inch long, 
glandless or with 1-3 globose, yellow glands. Flowers 
midseason, white. 1 inch across ; borne in scattering 
clusters, usually in threes. Fruit midseason ; % inch in 
diameter, oblate, compressed ; cavity wide, flaring ; 




129. Large Mont- 
morency. (XI) 



LATE DUKE 



LUTOVKA 



147 



suture shallow ; apex flattened or depressed ; color dark 
red ; dots numerous, small, somewhat conspicuous ; stem 
thick, 1 inch long, adhering to the fruit ; skin thick, 
separating from the pulp ; flesh white, showing distinctly 
the fibers in the pulp, with abundant colorless juice, 
tender and melting, sprightly, pleasantly flavored, tart ; 
of very good quality ; stone free, round, plump, with 
smooth surfaces, tinged with red. 

LATE DUKE. Fig. 130. P. avium XP- 
Cerasus. Late Duke is a variant of the well- 
known May Duke, ripening from two weeks 
to a month later. The size, color, flavor, and 
season of the fruit all 
commend it, as do the 
vigor, health, and fruit- 
fulness of the trees. 
The cherries are not 
quite so sweet as those 
of May Duke, a little 
more marbled in color 
of skin, and ripen 
through a longer sea- 
son. The trees are 
readily distinguished 
from those of the 
earlier Duke, being 
more open and spread- 
ing, seanter of foliage, 
with more slender 
branches and fruit more 
thickly clustered along 
the branchlets. Ripen- 
ing its crop in a season 
when hybrid varieties 
are gone or rapidly 
going. Late Duke is a 
valuable acquisition in 
the home orchard and 
for nearby markets to 
which tender-fleshed 
varieties can be sent. 
Planted on a northern slope, against a north- 
ern wall, or where it is in any way shaded, 
or in a cool soil, the delicious cherries from 
this variety can be had until August. The 
tree is hardy and its blossoming-time is late, 
so the variety is well adapted to northern 
latitudes. Late Duke has been cultivated in 
Europe for more than a century, and has been 
in America nearly that length of time. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, produc- 
tive. Leaves numerous, 3 inches long, 1 % inches wide, 
obovate, thick ; margin doubly crenate, with small, dark 
glands ; petiole 1 inch long, glandless or with 1 or 2 
small, reniform, greenish glands. Flowers late, white, 
1 incli across ; borne in numerous, dense clusters, in twos, 
threes and fours. Fruit very late ; 1 inch in diameter, 
blunt-cordate, compressed ; cavity wide ; suture shallow ; 
color dark red; stem slender, 1\^ to 2 inches long, 
deeply inserted ; flesh amber-colored, with abundant juice, 
tender, rich, sprightly subacid ; stone semi-clinging, me- 
dium to large, round-ovate, compressed. 

LATE KENTISH. P. Cerasus. Kentish 
Red. Pie Cherry. Kenti.^h. This old cherry 
served well the needs of Americans in colonial 
times, when all cherries were grown from pits 
or suckers. Although but a little improvement 
on the wild cher^\^ the trees were so hardy, 
vigorous, healthy, and productive, that any 
one who had a bit of spare land could have 
cherries. This, therefore, became preeminently 
the "pie cherry" of New England and the 




130. Late Duke. 
(XI) 



North Atlantic states. The trees are long- 
lived, and even so late as a generation ago 
Downing says that this variety is "better 
known among us than any other acid cherry, 
especially abundant on the Hudson and near 
New York." The variety is never planted 
now, having long since been superseded by 
better sorts, but it is still to be found as old 
trees or self-sown near where a tree of the 
variety formerly stood. Late Kentish is a 
seedling sort belonging to America, having 
been planted along fences and roadsides in 
the earliest times. The following description 
is a compilation : 

Tree small, bears annually, very productive, hardy. 
Fruit matures about 2 weeks after Early Richmond ; 
medium or below in size, round, flattened: stem I-214 
inches in length, stout, straight; color deep, lively red; 
flesh light colored, with abundant colorless juice, very 
tender, sour, remaining quite acid even when fully ripe; 
stone does not adhere to the stalk. 

LOUIS PHILIPPE. Fig. 131. P. avium 
X P. Cerasus. If the descriptions of this va- 
riety and Olivet be compared, it will be found 
that the two cher- 
ries are nearly 
identical. They 
differ only in sea- 
son of ripening and 
in minor tree-char- 
acters, this cherry 
having in the tree 
more the aspect of 
a Morello than has 
Olivet. The value 
of the two varieties 
t o cherry-growers 
is the same and is 
indicated in the 
discussion of Oli- 
vet. Elliott, the 
American pomolo- 
gist, imported 
Louis Philippe 
from France in 
1846 ; but the 
cherrjf does not 
seem to have been 
known at that time 
in Europe, and it 
is possible that 
Elliott gave it its 
name. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped. Leaves 
numerous, 4^^ inches long, 2% inches wide, obovate, 
thick, leathery ; margin finely serrate, with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole 1 inch long, with 1 or 2 large, 
globose, yellowish-red glands. Flowers 114 inches across, 
white, well distributed, mostly in threes. Fruit mid 
season or later ; 1 inch in diameter, round-ovate ; cavity 
abrupt ; suture very shallow to a mere line ; apex flat- 
tened, depressed ; color very dark red ; dots numerous, 
unusually small, obscure; stem lVi-1^ inches long, 
adhering to the fruit ; flesh light red, with much wine- 
colored juice, fine-grained, tender and melting, sour at 
first, becoming pleasantly tart at full maturity ; good 
in quality ; stone separates readily from the flesli, small, 
round-ovate, plump. 

LUTOVKA. P. Cerasus. Galopin. For a 
time Lutovka and Galopin were listed as two 
distinct varieties. Unquestionably they are 
the same, despite a seeming difference in 




131. Louis Philippe 
(XI) 



148 



LYONS 



MERCER 



origin. Lutovka was introduced into this 
country by J. L. Budd, Ames, Iowa, in 1883, 
and, according to the introducer, was well 
known in Poland and Silesia as a roadside 
tree. As was the case with many of Budd's 
importations, this variety did not stand the 
test of culture. It is a shy bearer and is now 
seldom recommended. 

Tree large, upright-spreading ; leaves large, ovate, 
leathery, produced from short spurs along the main 
branches. Fruit midseason ; medium in size, round- 
oblate ; suture often a line, sometimes lacking ; stem 
short, stout, set in a large, deep cavity ; skin dark, clear 
red, thin, tough, translucent ; flesh colorless, meaty, juicy, 
slightly acid ; quality good ; stone large, round, free. 

LYONS. P. avium. Early Lyons. Early 
Jaboulay. Although commonly classed as a 
hard-fleshed Bigarreau, Lyons is really an in- 
termediate between the firm-fleshed cherries 
and the soft-fleshed Hearts. The tree is a 
typical Bigarreau. The Heart-like cherries are 
extra early, large, handsome, and well flavored. 
The tree-characters are about all that could 
be desired. The blossoms of this variety are 
conspicuously large and showy, with pistils 
unusual in being longer than the stamens. 
Lyons is recommended for both home and 
commercial orchards. Lewis B. Eaton, Buffalo, 
New York, in importing cherry-trees from 
France in 1842. found among them one without 
a label, which turned out to be Lyons, an old 
French sort. 

Tree vigorous, a rapid grower, upright-spreading. 
Leaves numerous, 5^ inches long, 2hi inches wide, 
long-elliptical, thin -, margin coarsely serrate, with small, 
dark glands ; petiole often 2 inches long, thick, glandless 
or with 1-6 large, reniform, reddish glands. Flowers 
midseason, large, often 1^ inches across, white; borne 
in dense clusters, in twos and threes. Fruit early ; 
1 inch in diameter, cordate, compressed ; cavity flaring ; 
suture shallow, or a mere line, often extending around 
the fruit ; apex rounded or pointed ; color very dark red ; 
dots numerous, small, russet; stem thick, "1V2 inches 
long ; skin thin, tender, separating from the pulp ; flesh 
reddish, with dark-colored juice, meaty, sprightly, sweet ; 
of very good quality ; stone semi-clinging, large, ovate, 
plump, with smooth surfaces. 

MAGNIFIQUE. P. aviumXP- Cerasus. 
Belle Magyiifique. A generation ago, when 
American fruit-growing was in the hands of 
connoisseurs, Magnifique was more popular 
than now. It has failed as a commercial cherry 
because the crop ripens very unevenlj', for 
there are sometimes green and fully ripe cher- 
ries on the tree at the same time. The cherries 
are very good in quality, although too acid to 
make a first-rate dessert fruit. The trees are 
vigorous and usually fruitful. Magnifique has 
been grown so long that its place in the 
orchard would seem to have been fixed; yet 
it might be made more than a cherrv' for the 
home, if commercial growers would plant it in 
a shaded place and a cool soil, and thereby 
retard ripening until other cherries are gone. 
This valuable cherry was brought to notice in 
1795 by a nurseryman near Paris, France. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, produc- 
tive. Leaves numerous, 3i/^ inches wide, obovate, thick; 
margin finely serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole 
1 inch long, glandless or with 1 or 2 small, reniform, 
greenish glands. Flowers late, white, 1 inch across, 
wide open ; borne in dense clusters on short spurs. 




usually in threes or fours. Fruit very late ; 1 inch in 
diameter, cordate ; cavity deep ; suture very shallow ; 
color paie red changing to bright red ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, conspicuous; stem 1% inches long; skin 
thick, tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh white, with 
abundant colorless juice, fine-grained, meaty but tender, 
pleasantl.v tart, sprightly ; very good in quality ; stone 
free, small, oval, plump, slightly pointed with smooth 
surfaces. 

MAY DUKE. Fig. 132. P. avium X P. 
Cerastis. Duke Cherry. May Cherry. May 
Duke is one of the oldest, and, the world over, 
one of the most popular cherries. There are 
several reasons why it has 
attained and holds its popu- 
larity'. The fruit is finely 
flavored, especially when 
prepared for the table, and 
even before ripe; it is also 
delicious to eat out of hand, 
if the cherries are dead ripe; 
and it may be left to hang 
for a month or six weeks, 
becoming daily sweeter and 
more aromatic. Despite 
tender flesh, the fruits ship 
well, although grown only 
for local markets, since the 
long period of ripening 
makes necessary several 
pickings — a fatal defect for 
a canning cherry or one for 
the general trade. The 
trees are as fruitful as any ; 
are hardy, vigorous, and 
healthy; and few cherries 132. May 

thrive in greater variations Duke. (Xl) 

of soil and climate. This 
fact accounts for the world-wide distribution 
of the variety in temperate regions. The fruit 
is well distributed in dense clusters on trees 
characteristically upright and vasiform, which 
bear a heavy canopy of dark-green luxuriant 
foliage. May Duke fills a particular place in 
the orchard as a fruit for the local market, and 
hundreds of newcomers have not been able 
to supplant it. May Duke is supposed to have 
originated in a district in France known as 
Medoc, and the name to have been derived 
from the place. In 1832, William Prince men- 
tioned May Duke as being among the first of 
the cherries introduced to America from Eu- 
rope. 

Tree large, upright, vasiform, open-topped, very pro- 
ductive. Leaves numerous, SYz inches long, 2 inches 
wide, obovate ; margin finely serrate, with small, dark 
glands ; petiole 1 inch long, slender, glandless or with 
1 or 2 small, globose, brownish glands. Flowers mid- 
season, white, 1 Vi inches across ; borne in dense clusters, 
in twos and threes. Fruit early ; % inch in diameter, 
cordate to conical, compressed ; cavity abrupt, regular ; 
suture indistinct ; apex rounded with a small depression 
at the center ; color light changing to dark red at full 
maturity ; dots numerous, russet, obscure ; stem slender, 
IVi inches long, adhering strongly to the fruit; skin 
thin, tender, separating from the pulp ; flesh dark red 
with pinkish juice, tender and melting, sprightly sub- 
acid, pleasantly flavored ; of very good quality ; stone 
nearly free, small, round, with smooth surfaces. 

MERCER. P. aviu7n. This comparatively 
new Bigarreau is on probation in many parts 
of the country, but the variety is all but worth- 



MEZEL 



NAPOLEON 



149 



less as it grows on the grounds of the New 
York Experiment Station. The trees are not 
fruitful, the cherries are small, the flavor is 
none too good, and the fruit is not resistant 
to brown-rot, — four fatal defects for a com- 
mercial cherry. This variety is reported to 
have sprung from a pit of a Mazzard tree, 
and was introduced about 1890 by Black and 
Son, Hightstown, New Jersey. 

Tree vigorous, healthy, unproductive. Leaves numer- 
ous, 4^ inches long, 2% inches wide, long-oval, leathery ; 
margin coarsely and doubly serrate, glandular ; petiole 
IV^ inches long, thick, with 2-5 very large, reniforra, 
red glands. Flowers early ; 1 % inches across, in scat- 
tering clusters in twos and threes. Fruit midseason ; 
small, cordate, compressed ; cavity shallow, narrow, 
abrupt ; suture an indistinct line ; apex depressed ; color 
black : dots small, numerous, obscure ; stem slender, 
1% inches long, adherent to the fruit; skin thin, ten- 
der ; flesh red, with dark-colored juice, tender, meaty, 
crisp, aromatic, mild, sweet : fair to good in quality ; 
stone free, ovate, flattened, blunt-pointed, with smooth 
surfaces, tinged with red. 

MEZEL. P. avium. Bigarreau de Mezel. 
Great Bigarreau. Mezel seems to have made 
a stir in pomological circles in the nineteenth 
century by reason of the great size and beauti- 
ful appearance of the cherries. Although on 
the recommended list of the American Po- 
mological Society, frequently spoken of in the 
pomological works of the day, and offered by 
some nurserymen, not many trees of this va- 
riety are now growing in tlie country. From 
the literature, it may be gleaned that the 
fruits pleased the eye more than the palate ; 
and that the trees, while vigorous and healthy, 
were not productive. At any rate, after a de- 
cade or two of much advertising and what 
would seem to have been a very thorough trial, 
Mezel failed to receive approbation from 
cheny-growers, and has now almost passed 
from cultivation. This variety was found at 
Mezel, France, sometime prior to 1846, and 
was soon after imported to the United States. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, variable 
in productiveness. Leaves numerous, 5 inches long, often 
2\^ inches wide, long-oval, thin; margin glandular, 
coar.sely serrate; petiole 1% inches long, slender, with 
1-4 reniform glands. Flowers midseason; 1^/^ inches 
across, well distributed in scattering clusters in twos 
and threes. Fruit midseason ; large, 1 inch in diameter, 
cordate, compressed, the surface markedly irregular and 
broken into ridges ; cavity very deep, wid^ irregular, 
abrupt ; suture variable, shallow to very deep and wide 
and at times double ; apex blunt-pointed ; color purplish- 
black ; dots numerous, very small, russet, obscure ; stem 
2 inches long, adheres to the fruit ; skin tender but not 
inclined to crack, adheres to the pulp ; flesh purplish- 
red, with abundant dark red juice, tender, meaty, mild, 
very pleasant, sweet ; very good to best in quality ; stone 
clinging, large, strongly ovate, with rough surfaces. 

MONTMORENCY. Fig. 133. P. Cerasus. 
Long Stem Montmorency. Montmorency Or- 
dinaire. Montmorency is the most popular 
sour cherry grown in America. Several char- 
acters give it first place. It is surpassed by 
no other sour cherry in vigor, health, and pro- 
ductiveness of tree. Year in and year out, 
Montmorency trees are fruitful. No other 
sour cherry is adapted to a greater diversity 
of soils than Montmorency, which fact, with 
its capacity to stand heat and cold, makes the 
variety suitable to wide variations in environ- 




133. Montmorency. 
(XI) 



ment. The fruit has the advantage of being 
presentable in appearance and fit for culinary 
purposes several days before it is fully ripe, 
and this adds to the value of the variety for 
market. Brown-rot takes less toll from this 
cherry than from others of its kind, probably 
because its fruits have relatively firm flesh and 
thick skins. The fruit stands handling well in 
harvesting, in shipping, and on the markets. 
The preserved product, whether canned at 
home or commereiall}', is attractive in appear- 
ance and very good. 
Montmorency is not a 
dessert cherry, but by 
those who like sour 
cherries the fruits when 
fully matured may be 
eaten out of hand with 
relish. The variety 
falls short in the size 
of the tree, which is 
seldom more than me- 
dium ; but the head is 
spreading and much- 
branched, and the fruit 
is borne in clusters 
thickly scattered 
throughout the whole 
head, so that the total 
yield from a tree is 
greater than would be 
thought. For all pur- 
poses to which sour 
cherries are put, Mont- 
morency may be rec- 
ommended as the best in its season. The 
variety originated in Montmorency Valley, 
France, several centuries ago, at least before 
the seventeenth century. It has been culti- 
vated in America under various names for at 
least a century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, with the 
lower branches inclined to droop, round-topped, produc- 
tive- Leaves 3 inches long, 1^^ inches wide, obovate, 
leathery ; margin doubly crenate, glandular ; petiole 1 
inch long, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose, brownish 
glands. Flowers midseason; white, 1^ inches across; 
borne in scattered clusters in twos and threes. Fruit 
midseason ; % inch in diameter, round-oblate, slightly 
compressed ; cavity abrupt ; suture very shallow ; apex 
rounded ; color light to rather dark red ; dots numerous, 
small, russet, inconspicuous ; stem thick, usually with 
a faint tinge of red, 1 inch long, adhering well' to the 
fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating from the pulp ; flesh 
pale yellow, with a reddish tinge, with abundant light 
pink juice, tender and melting, sprightly, tart ; of very 
good quality ; stone free, small, round-ovate, flattened, 
pointed, with smooth surfaces which are tinged with red. 

MORELLO: See English Morello. 

NAPOLEON. Fig. 134. P. avium. Royal 
Ann. Napoleon is the leading firm-fleshed 
sweet cherry. It takes its place by virtue of 
the large size, handsome appearance, and high 
quality of the fruit, and the phenomenal pro- 
ductiveness of the trees. The rich, sweet flavor 
with abundant juice and firm, crackling flesh, 
makes this a most delicious and refreshing 
cherry for dessert, and, with the great size and 
attractive color, give it preference over all 
other sweet cherries for canning and other 
culinary purposes. The cherries carry well 



150 



NAPOLEON 



OLIVET 



and keep long, and are, therefore, well thought 
of by fruit dealers. Besides being very pro- 
ductive, the trees come in bearing early, and 
are as vigorous, hardy, and healthy as those 
of any other sweet cherry. They may usually 
be known by their upright growth and large, 
sturdy limbs. Napoleon, however, is not with- 
out its faults. The cherries crack badly in wet 
weather, and the 
variety can be 
grown with cer- 
tainty only in the 
dry climate of the 
Pacific coast, where 
it reaches truly 
wonderful perfec- 
tion. In the East, 
Napoleon is more 
susceptible to 
brown-rot than sev- 
eral of its rivals. 
The tree is fastidi- 
ous as to soils, 
thriving only in 
choice cherry land 
and in a congenial 
cherry climate. De- 
spite these serious 
faults, Napoleon 
takes first place 
the country over 
among sweet cher- 
ries for both home 
and commercial 
plantings. Napo- 
leon is of unknown 
origin. Early in the 
eighteenth century 
it was grown by Germans, French, Dutch, and 
English,— proof that it is a very old variety. 
It has been grown in America for at least a 
century. 

Napoleon has a great number of synonyms in 
several languages, showing the countries in which 
the variety has been grown and the esteem 
in which it has been held. Not content with 
the score or more of European names, cherry- 
growers in America have added two more. 
In many parts of the country it is commonly 
called Ox Heart. On the Pacific slope it is 
evervwhere known as Royal Ann. The Ameri- 
can "Pomological Societv placed Napoleon on 
its fruit-list in 1862. There are several ac- 
counts as to when the cherry was given the 
name Napoleon. Probably the best authenti- 
cated is that in which it is held that Parmen- 
tier, a Belgian, gave the cherry the name of 
the famous emperor in 1820. When the variety 
was taken to England, where at that time 
Napoleon was not in good repute, the name of 
his conqueror, Wellington, was substituted, but 
was little used. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
very productive, shaggy. Leaves numerous, 5% inches 
long, 2% inches wide; margin doubly serrate, with 
small, dark glands; petiole 1% inches long, thick with 
2-3 large, reniform, reddish-orange glands. Flowers 
midseason, white, 1% inches across; borne in scattering 
clusters in ones or in twos. Fruit midseason; over 1 




134. Napoleon. (XD 



inch in diameter, long-cordate, compressed ; cavity deep, 
wide, flaring ; suture a distinct line ; apex much pointed ; 
color, varying shades of bright red over a yellowish 
background, mottled ; dots obscure ; stem slender, more 
than 1 inch long, adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, 
adherent ; tiesh white, with a faint yellow tinge, with 
colorless juice, tender, meaty, crisp, mild, sweet ; good 
to very good in quality ; stone semi-clinging, small, 
ovate, "flattened, pointed, with smooth surfaces. 

NOUVELLE ROYALE. P. avium XP- 
Ccra^us, This cherry is one of the best of 
the Dukes. In particular, it is commended by 
its product, as the trees do not make so good 
a showing as the fruit. The cherries are dis- 
tinguished by their large size, dark red color, 
glossy surface, good quality, lateness in ma- 
turing, and sweetness. The shape, also, offers 
a distinguishing character, the fruits being 
more oblate than those of any other Duke. 
The long, stout stem is still another charac- 
teristic. Unfortunately, the tree is unproduc- 
tive. Nouvelle Royale is not widely known 
in America, and may well be given a trial by 
those who want a late Duke. This variety is 
supposed from its fruit- and tree-characters 
to be a hybrid between Early Richmond and 
May Duke, but where and when it came to 
light is not known. Downing, in 1869, men- 
tions the Nouvelle Royale as having recently 
been introduced into this country. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, compact, moderately 
productive. Leaves numerous, 3^ inches long, 2 inches 
wide, obovate ; margin finely and doubly serrate, glandu- 
lar ; petiole 1 Vi inches long, slender, glandless or with 
1-4 globose, greenish-yellow or reddish glands. Flowers 
midseason ; white. 1 inch across ; borne in dense clusters 
in threes and fours. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diam- 
eter, oblate, strongly compressed ; cavity deep, narrow, 
abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex flattened or slightly de- 
pressed ; color dark red ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
inconspicuous ; stem 1 % inches long, adherent to the 
fruit ; skin tender, separating from the pulp ; flesh pale 
yellow or with a tinge of red, with light pink juice, 
slightly stringy, tender and melting, pleasantly flavored, 
mildly tart ; of very good quality ; stone free, round- 
oval, plump, blunt, oblique, with smooth surfaces often 
tinged with red and small ridges radiating from the 
base. 

OLIVET. Fig. 135. 
P. avium X P- Cer- 
asus. Some writers call 
Olivet a Duke, while 
others place it with the 
Morellos. The fruit 
shows many charac- 
teristics of the Morel- 
los, but the tree ap- 
pears to be a Duke, so 
that it is probably a 
hybrid between trees of 
the two groups. The 
fruit is large, globular, 
deep red, glossy, with 
a rich, vinous, sub-acid 
flavor; eaten out of 
hand it would be rated 
as a very good Morello 
or a sub-acid and some- 
what mediocre Duke, 
hardly good enough for 
dessert and not so good 
for culinary purposes as some of the sourer 
cherries. It is one of the earliest of the Mo- 




135. Olivet. (XI) 



OSTHEIM 



REINE HORTENSE 



151 



rello-like cherries, and this advantage may 
give it a place in the cherry flora of the coun- 
try. The trees are large and vigorous, and 
their much-branched, round tops would seem 
to give the maximum amount of bearing sur- 
face, but. unfortunately, the cherries do not 
set abundantly. Several distinct sorts pass 
under the name of Olivet in this country. 
Olivet was found at Olivet, Loire, France. 
Nurserj'men introduced the variety into this 
country at some time previous to 1877. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
unproductive. Leaves numerous, 3V^ inches long, 1% 
inches wide, obovate, thin ; margin doubly serrate, 
glandular; petiole 1% inches long, greenish, glandless 
or with 1 or 2 globose, brownish glands. Flowers mid- 
season ; white, 1 inch across ; borne in dense clusters, 
usually in threes. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, 
round, slightly oblate, compressed ; cavity abrupt, regu- 
lar ; suture a line ; apex rounded, witii a small depression 
at the center ; color bright red ; dots russet, obscure ; stem 
thick, 1 % inches long, adhering to the fruit ; skin 
tough, separating from the pulp ; flesh light red, with 
abundant light wine-colored juice, tender and melting, 
.sprightly, astringent, tart ; of fairly good quality ; stone 
free, small, round, slightly flattened, somewhat pointed 
at the apex, with smooth surfaces. 

OSTHEIM. P. Cerasus. Ostheim finds 
favor in the prairie states, but is all but worth- 
less in the eastern states. It is one of the 
Morellos, and falls far short of the best of 
its group, the cherries being small and of but 
mediocre quality. The trees are typical 
Morellos, round-headed, with slender, drooping 
branches and branchlets and very dark green 
foliage. The fruit is borne toward the ends 
of short branchlets, which are not well dis- 
tributed over the main branches, leaving much 
bare wood. The fruit hangs long after ma- 
turity, and since the ripening season is late, 
the variety may be worth growing because of 
its lateness; as it may, also, in cold climates 
because of great hardiness. The trees on their 
own roots throw up many suckers which are 
often used in propagation. The variety has 
the reputation of coming true to name from 
seeds. Ostheim was found in the region of the 
Sierra Morena, Spain, and taken to Germany 
after the Wars of the Succession, 1701-1713. It 
takes its name from the German town where 
it was widely grown. Ostheim was brought to 
the United States early in the nineteenth cen- 
tury. 

Tree below medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
with drooping branchlets. dense, very productive. Leaves 
very numerous, 3^ inches long, 1^ inches wide, obovate 
to oval ; margin finely serrate, with small, dark glands ; 
petiole slender, y^ inch long, short, with 1-3 small, 
globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers midseason ; 
1 inch across, white ; borne in scattering clusters, in 
twos and threes. Fruit very late ; % inch in diameter, 
round, slightly oblate, compressed ; cavity very shallow 
and narrow, flaring ; suture indistinct ; apex rounded 
w-ith a small depression at the center ; color very dark 
red approaching black ; dots numerous, small, dark russet, 
inconspicuous ; stem slender, 1 V^ inches long, slightly 
adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating 
readily from the pulp ; flesh dark red. with much very 
dark-colored juice, tender and melting, sprightly, tart, 
losing its astringenc.v when fully ripe ; of fair quality ; 
stone free, V2 inch in diameter, round-oblate, somewhat 
pointed, witli smooth surfaces slightly stained with red. 

OX HEART. P. avium. Ox Heart is a 
class name for the large, firm-fruited cher- 



ries which are cordate in shape. In America, 
the name is most often given to the light- 
colored cherries, such as Yellow Spanish and 
Napoleon. At one time, however, the name 
was applied to a distinct variety known 
throughout England, Germany, and America, 
being first mentioned by Miller, an English- 
man, in 1734. Coxe, in 1817, was the first 
American writer to list the variety, but it 
never became popular in the New World. In 
the 1909 catalog of the American Pomological 
Society, there appears an Ox Heart of Ameri- 
can origin and of recent introduction, known 
in the West as Major Francis. There is also 
in several nursery catalogs a "white-fleshed Ox 
Heart." The following is a description of the 
true Ox Heart: 

Tree medium in vigor, round-topped, spherical, pro- 
ductive ; branches somewhat curved. Leaves obovate, 
obtusely pointed ; margin finely serrate ; petiole short, 
rather slender, flexible, with 2 reniform glands. Flowers 
midseason. small. Fruit midseason ; medium to large, 
cordate, pointed, sides unevenly compressed ; color lively 
red changing to intense purple or nearly black ; stem 
of medium length and thickness, inserted in a broad, 
deep cavity ; skin tough ; flesh dark red, with abundant 
colored juice, half-tender but firmer than most Hearts, 
sweet though slightly bitter before complete maturity ; 
quality good ; stone medium in size, broadly cordate, 
adhering to the flesh along the ventral suture. 

REINE HORTENSE. Fig. 136. P. avium 
X P. Ccrasus. Hortense. Reine Hortense 
takes high rank among hybrid cherries. To 
begin with, the fruit is excellent in quality, 
its flavor being a com- 
mingling of the refresh- 
ing acidity of the sour 
cherry and the richness 
of the sweet cheiry. 
The cherries are also 
handsome, being large, 
round, bright glossy red 
with a shade of amber, 
and very uniform in 
size, color, and shape. 
The fruit is especially 
attractive on the tree, 
as it hangs on long 
stems in twos and 
threes thickly scattered 
and never much clus- 
tered. The chief faults 
of the variety are in 
the trees, which are of 
but medium size, not 
productive, and at their 
best only in choice 
cherry soils. In Eu- 
rope, Reine Hortense 
is much used as a 
dwarf and for training 
on walls. The merits 
and faults of the va- 
riety are such as fit it preeminently well 
only for the amateur. M. Larose of Neuilly- 
sur-Seine, France, grew the original tree early 
in the nineteenth century. It was brought to 
America about 1850. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, unproductive. 
Leaves numerous, i\^ inches long, 2^ inches wide. 




136. Reine Hor- 
tense. (XI) 



152 



REPUBLICAN 



ROYAL DUKE 



obovate, thin ; mar^n coarsely serrate, with daric glands ; 
petiole 1 inch long, with 1-4 small, globose, brownish 
glands. Flowers midseason ; white, 1 % inches across ; 
borne in dense clusters, usually in threes. Fruit mid- 
season ; 1 inch in diameter, oblong-conic, compressed ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt, often lipped ; suture 
indistinct ; apex rounded with a small depression at the 
center ; color amber-red ; dots numerous, light russet, 
conspicuous; stem tortuous, slender, IM inches long, 
adherent to the fruit ; skin tender, separating from the 
pulp ; tiesh pale yellow, with colorless juice, tender and 
melting, sprightly subacid ; of very good quality ; stone 
free, large, oval, flattened, blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

REPUBLICAN. Fig. 137. P. avium. 
Black Republican. LcweUing. Judged by the 
palate, Republican is one of the best of the 
Bigarreaus. The cherries are rich in flavor, 
firm of flesh, and 
have an abun- 
dance of refresh- 
ing juice. Judged 
by the eye, also, 
the variety holds 
its own with the 
best of its class, 
the fruit having a 
pleasing rotundity 
of shape and a 
beautiful dark red, 
almost black, 
glossy color. In 
size of fruit, the 
variety often falls 
short. The trees 
are large, spread- 
ing, and vigorous, 
but are susceptible 
to the shot-hole 
fungiis and ex- 
ceedingly capri- 
cious as to soils, 
failing in all but 
the very choicest 
cherry environ- 
ments. The cherry 
is, at most, of but local value. This variety 
originated about the middle of the nineteenth 
centuiy in the orchard of Seth Lewelling, Mil- 
waukee, Oregon. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
very productive. Leaves numerous, 5 inches long, 2% 
inches wide, obovate, thin ; margin coarsely and doubly 
serrate, glandular; petiole IV* inches long, thick, with 
2 or 3 large, reniform, light green or reddish glands. 
Flowers midseason ; white, 1 V^ inches across ; borne in 
scattering clusters in ones and twos. Fruit late ; 1 
inch in diameter, wide, variable in shape, cordate or 
round-cordate, compressed, with angular and uneven 
surfaces ; cavity deep, wide, flaring ; suture a shallow 
groove, often extending around the fruit ; apex with a 
small depression at the center ; color purplish-black ; 
dots numerous, small, dark russet, inconspicuous ; stem 
thick, IVs inches long, adherent to the fruit; skin thin; 
flesh purplish-red, with dark-colored juice, tender, meaty, 
crisp, mild, sweet or with slight astringency before fully 
mature ; of good quality ; stone semi-free, small, ovate, 
flattened, blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

ROCKPORT. Fig. 138. P. avium. Rock- 
port is more easily characterized by its faults 
than its merits. Compared with the well- 
known Yellow Spanish, of which it is a seedling 
and to which it is similar, the cherries are 
smaller and the pits are larger than those of 
the parent variety, the pits being much too 




137. Republican. (XD 




large for the amount of pulp. The worst fault 
of the variety is, however, that the cherries are 
not sufficiently firm of flesh to withstand har- 
vesting, shipping, and the attacks of the 
brown-rot fungus. To offset the defects of 
the fruit, the flesh is 
rich, sweet, and tender, 
making a cherry as 
good as any for dessert. 
The trees, also, are very 
satisfactory, being 
large, vigorous, and 
very fruitful, but have 
the reputation of re- 
quiring good soil and 
the best of care; they 
lack a little in hardi- 
ness. Rockport can be 
recommended only for 
a home orchard. This 
variety is another of 
K i r 1 1 a n d's introduc- 
tions, having been 
raised by him at 
Cleveland, Ohio, about 
1842. 

Tree large, vigorous, very 
productive. Leaves numer- 
ous, 3 ^ inches long, 1 \ 
inches wide ; margin coarsely 
serrate, glandular; petiole 2 loc T? I /^.^ 

inches long, glandless or ^^^- -K-OCKpon,. 

with 1-4 large, reniform, red- (Xl) 

dish glands. Flowers mid- 
season ; white, \% inches across; borne in clusters, 
usually in twos. Fruit early ; 1 inch in diameter, 
cordate to conical, compressed ; cavity shallow, wide, 
flaring, regular ; suture a distinct line ; apex roundish, 
with a small depression at the center ; color bright red 
over an amber-yellow background, mottled ; dots very 
numerous, small, light yellow, somewhat conspicuous ; 
stem lyz inches long, adhering to the fruit; skin thin, 
tender ; flesh pale yellowish-white, with colorless juice, 
tender, melting, aromatic, mild, sweet ; good to very 
good in quality ; stone free, ovate, plump, with smooth 
surfaces. 

ROYAL ANN: See Napoleon. 

ROYAL DUKE. 

Fig. 139. P. avium. X 
P. Ccrasus. Royal Duke 
has a place in the 
cherry orchard to follow 
in season the well- 
known May Duke, and 
to precede Late Duke. 
It is so nearly like 
these two sorts, except 
in season, that there is 
much difficulty in get- 
ting the variety true to 
name. Royal Duke is 
often taken for May 
Duke, but it differs from 
this well-known sort in 
being a little later in 
season, while the cher- 
ries are larger, lighter 
in color, and do not 
hang so thickly, but are 
scattered along the 
branches, often singly, 




139. Royal Duke. 
(XI) 




Plate VII. — Bradshaw Plum. 



SCHMIDT 



SKLANKA 



153 



and are more oblate. The trees are markedly 
upright and the foliage is dense. The va- 
riety has a place in home orchards and for 
local markets. The origin of this variety is 
unknown, but it dates back at least a century 
and a half in Europe. According to Downing, 
it was brought to America in the first half of 
the nineteenth century. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, vasiform, un- 
productive. Leaves numerous, 4^ inches long, 2 inches 
wide, obovate ; margin serrate or crenate ; petiole 1 ^ 
inches long, glandless or with 1 or 2 small, reniform, 
greenish-yellow or reddish glands. Flowers midseason ; 
white, 1 inch across ; borne in very dense clusters, 
closely grouped in fours and fives. Fruit early ; %, inch 
in diameter, oblate, compressed ; color bright red be- 
coming darker at maturity ; dots few, small, obscure ; 
stem 1^ inches long, adhering to the fruit; skin thin, 
tough, separating from the pulp ; flesh pale yellowish- 
white with tinge of red, pink juice, tender, sprightly, 
pleasantly acid ; good to very good in quality ; stone 
semi-free, small, ovate, slightly flattened, with smooth 
surfaces. 

SCHMIDT. Fig. 140. P. avium. Schmidt's 
Bigarreau. Schmidt is not new nor little 
known, since it has been rather widely planted 
in America for many years. Yet it is not re- 
ceiving the atten- 
tion that it de- 
serves from com- 
mercial cherry- 
growers, being 
relegated to the 
rear of a dozen 
kinds when it 
should be in the 
front rank. The 
characters which 
entitle it to a 
high place as a 
money-maker are : 
the fruits are large, 
being unsurpassed 
in size by any 
other black cherry ; 
they are round and 
plump in form and 
glossy black in 
color; the flesh is 
dark ruby-red un- 
der the skin, which 
makes the cherry 
as pleasing in- 
wardly as out- 
wardly ; and the 
cherries are free 
from brown-rot, in 
this respect excel- 
ling any other market sort. The trees are 
vigorous, healthy, productive, and charac- 
terized by abundant, large leaves of dark 
luxuriant green. The fruit is often picked 
before it is ripe, at which time it is dark red 
and not black. Schmidt originated with Hen- 
Schmidt, Casekow, Prussia, about 1841. It 
eventually found its way to America, but when 
and how is not known. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
productive. Leaves numerous, 6 inches long, 3 inches 
wide, obovate; margin serrate, glandular; petiole 1^ 
inches long, thick, glandless or with 1 or 2 large, reni- 
form, reddish glands. Flowers midseason ; white, 1 ^ 




140. Schmidt. (XD 




inches across ; borne in scattering clusters in twos and 
threes. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, cordate, 
compressed, often slightly oblique ; cavity deep, wide, 
flaring ; suture indistinct ; apex bluntly pointed ; color 
purplish-black ; dots numerous, small, dark russet, ob- 
scure ; stem slender, 1^ inches long, strongly adherent 
to the fruit ; skin tough, separating from the pulp ; 
flesh purplish-red, with dark-colored juice, meaty, crisp, 
firm, mild, sweet ; of good quality ; stone semi-clinging, 
ovate, oblique, with smooth surfaces. 

SHORT-STEM MONTMORENCY. Fig. 
141. P. CeroMi^. Flemish. Three distinct 
Montmorencies are cultivated. Of these 
closely related sorts, all of which originated at 
about the same time in Montmorency Valley, 
France, Montmorency is by far the most im- 
portant and the only one now grown com- 
mercially in all parts of the country. Large 
Montmorency, quite similar to Montmorency, 
is much less grown because 
of its unproductiveness, al- 
though in quality it is su- 
perior. Short-stem Mont- 
morency, now under discus- 
sion, varies considerably 
both in tree and in fruit 
from either of the other two, 
although it is frequently 
taken for Large Montmo- 
rency. The tree is smaller 
and more drooping, but 
usually more productive. 
The fruit, similar in size to 
that of Large Montmorency, 
differs from it by being 
more oblate and irregular; 
in having a very deep wide 
suture, which becomes an 
indistinct line towards the 
apex; in being seldom of so 
dark a red even at perfect maturity; the 
flavor is more sprightly; but the quality is not 
so high. The variety is little grown in North 
America, and is not so worthy for any pur- 
pose as either of the two better-known sorts. 

Tree upright-spreading, round-topped, productive. 
Leaves numerous, 4 inches long, 1% inches wide, 
obovate, thick ; apex taper-pointed, base acute ; margin 
doubly crenate, glandular ; petiole 1 inch long, glandless 
or with 1-3 large, raised, reniform glands. Flowers late ; 
white, 1 inch across ; borne in a few scattering clusters, 
variable in number of flowers per cluster. Fruit mid- 
season ; % inch in diameter, decidedly oblate, irregular 
in outline, compressed ; cavity deep, wide, irregular, 
flaring ; suture very deep near the stem but shallow at 
the apex which is depressed ; color light to dark red ; 
dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous ; stem very 
thick, less than % inch long, adhering strongly to the 
fruit ; skin tender and melting, sprightly, sour ; of fair 
quality ; stone clinging, small, round, plump, blunt, with 
smooth surfaces. 

SKLANKA. P. Cerasus. Sklanka is evi- 
dently a cross between a cherry of the 
Amarelle group and one of the Morellos, the 
cherries having the light-colored skin and juice 
of the Amarelles, while the dwarfish, round- 
topped trees with pendant branches and 
abundant, small leaves are typical Morellos. 
The variety is in no way remarkable, unless 
it be in hardiness; the pomologists of the 
colder parts of the Mississippi Valley hold 
that it is one of the hardiest of cherries. The 
fruit is not on a par with that of a score of 



141. Short- 
stem Mont- 
morency. 
(XI) 



154 



SPARHAWK 



TIMME 



other Amarelles, and the trees are too small 
and unproductive to be worth planting except 
where hardiness is a prime requisite. Sklanka 
was imported to this country from Russia in 
1883 by J. L. Budd of Ames, Iowa. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, spreading, with droop- 
ing branchlets, open- topped, unproductive. Leaves 3'/4 
inches long, 1% inches wide, elliptical, thick, stiff; 
margin flnelv and doubly serrate, with small, dark 
glands ; petiole % inch long, thick, with 1-4 small, 
globose, orange-colored glands. Flowers midseason ; 
1 inch across, white; borne in dense clusters usually 
in threes. Fruit early ; % inch in diameter, oblate, not 
compressed ; cavity narrow, abrupt ; suture lacking ; apex 
flattened or strongly depressed ; color bright currant-red ; 
dots numerous, light colored, conspicuous ; stem 1 inch 
long, adherent to the fruit; skin tough, separating from 
the pulp ; flesh pale yellow, with colorless juice, tender 
and melting, sour ; of good quality ; stone semi-free, 
clinging, about Vs inch in diameter, round, flattened, 
blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

SPARHAWK. P. avium. Sparhawk's 
Honey. Honey Heart. Sparhawk has little 
to recommend it for either home or commer- 
cial orchard except the rich and honeyed 
sweetness of the cherries, which makes it worth 
planting by connoisseurs of good fruits. The 
name "honey," which appears in the synonyms, 
is indicative of the flavor of the fruit. The 
cherries are too small, and the pits altogether 
too large for a commercial product. The tree 
is upright-spreading, with numerous thick 
branches, over which the cherries are rather 
thickly scattered in ones, twos, and threes, 
but never in clusters. The fruit-stems are 
characteristically long and slender, although 
of the Bigarreau group, and the flesh is too 
tender to withstand harvesting, shipping, and 
the brown-rot. This cherry was introduced by 
Edward Sparhawk, Brighton, Massachusetts, 
about 1825. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, hardy, un- 
productive. Leaves numerous, 5 inches long, 2M inches 
wide, long-oval, thin ; margin coarsely and doubly ser- 
rate, glandular ; petiole 2 inches long, with 1 or 2 large, 
leniform, reddish glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch 
across. Fruit midseason ; % inch in diameter, conical, 
compressed ; color dark red over a yellowish back- 
ground, finely mottled ; stem 1 Vi inches long, adherent 
to the fruit ; skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp : 
flesh pale yellowish-white, with colorless juice, tender, 
crisp, highly flavored, mild, aromatic, sweet ; very good 
in quality ; stone nearly free, large, ovate, flattened, 
blunt, with smooth surfaces. 

SPATE AMARELLE. P. Ceraswi. Spate 
Morello. This is another variety with Amarelle 
fruit and a Morello-like tree — unquestionably 
a hybrid between varieties of the two groups. 
Several references from the Middle West men- 
tion Spate Amarelle as very promising, but 
where such sorts as Early Richmond and the 
Montmorencies thrive, it is unpromising for 
any purpose. The cherries are too poor in 
quality, and the trees too unproductive to 
make the variety even a poor rival of a score 
or more of Amarelles and Dukes with which 
it would have to compete. The origin of this 
cherry is unknown, but it was growing in 
Hanover, Germany, as Spate Morelle in 1785. 
In 1883 J. L. Budd, Ames, Iowa, brought the 
variety to America. 



Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
round-topped, unproductive. Leaves numerous, small, 
folded upward, oval to somewhat obovate, rather stiff; 
upper surface dark green, smooth ; margin finely ser- 
rate, glandular ; petiole greenish or with a slight bronze 
tinge, glandless or with 1-4 small, globose, yellowish 
glands. Flowers late ; 1 inch across, white ; borne in 
scattered clusters, usually in threes. Fruit midseason ; 
Yz inch long, oblate, slightly compressed ; cavity shallow, 
narrow ; suture indistinct ; apex rounded or depressed ; 
color dark red ; dots numerous, very small, obscure ; 
stem slender, 1^ inches long; skin thin, tender; flesh 
light red, with light-colored juice, tender, tart ; of good 
quality ; stone free, round, flattened, with smooth sur- 
faces. 

SUDA. P. Cerasus. Suda Hardy. Suda has 
been widely advertised as an improved Eng- 
lish Morello, but the new variety is not an 
improvement on the old. The trees of Suda 
in general aspect are more upright and not so 
productive; the stems of the cherries are 
longer and more slender than those of English 
Morello, being but an inch in length in the 
one variety and an inch and three-fourths in 
the other. The cherries are not so high in 
quality as those of the older and probably 
the parent variety. It is doubtful if there is 
a place for Suda in the cherry industry of the 
country. This cherry was originated in the 
garden of a Captain Suda, Louisiana, Missouri, 
about 1880. 

Tree vigorous, rather unproductive. Leaves numerous, 
4 inches long, 2Vi inches wide, obovate; margin doubly 
serrate, with dark glands ; petiole 1 inch long, glandless 
or with 1 or 2 reniform, yellowish-brown glands. Flow- 
ers late, white, 1 inch across. Fruit very late ; % inch 
in diameter, round-cordate, slightly compressed ; cavity 
flaring ; suture indistinct ; color dark purplish-red ; stem 
slender, \% inches long, adherent to the fruit; skin 
separating from the pulp ; flesh dark red, with dark- 
colored juice, tender, meaty, sprightly, astringent, very 
sour ; poor in quality ; stone free or nearly so, pointed, 
with smooth surfaces. 

TERRY. P. Cerasus. Terry Early. Fruit- 
growers in the Middle West believe that Terry 
is a most promising cherry for the prairies, as 
the trees stand the heat of the summer and 
the cold of the winter particularly well. The 
cherries are distinguished by the long stems, 
whereby the fruits may be readily picked with- 
out bruising. The history of the variety is 
not definitely known, but it is supposed that 
it was imported from Russia by H. A. Terry, 
Crescent, Iowa. The variety has been grown 
in Iowa for a quarter-century at least. 

Tree upright, vigorous, very hardy and very produc- 
tive. Fruit early ; of medium size, round, flattened 
laterally ; suture indistinct ; stem long, slender ; cavity 
shallow ; skin tough, slightly astringent, deep red ; flesh 
firm, subacid, colored ; stone small, round ; ripens at the 
New York Agricultural Experiment Station in June, as 
early or a little earlier than Early Richmond. 

TIMME. P. Cerasus. Timme can hardly 
be distinguished from Early Richmond, differ- 
ing only in its smaller fruits. The trees of 
Timme are more productive than those of 
Early Richmond, but the greater fruitfulness 
of the tree does not offset the smaller size of 
the cherries. It is doubtful if this new strain 
can displace the older Early Richmond, which 
is well established in the favor of cherry- 
growers everywhere. This variety is supposed 
to have been brought to America from Ger- 



VLADIMIR 



WOOD 



155 



many by a Mr. Timme, Omaha, Nebraska, 
about 1900. 

Tree medium in size, rather vigorous, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, healthy. Leaves 3Vz inches long, IV2 inches 
wide, obovate, thick, stiff, leathery ; margin finely ser- 
rate, tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole % inch 
in length, with 1 or 2 large, globose glands. Flowers 
1 inch across, in dense clusters. Fruit early ; over i/^ 
inch in diameter, round-oblate ; color light red becom- 
ing dark red at full maturity ; stem 1 inch long ; flesh 
yellowish-white, with abundant pinkish juice, tender and 
melting, pleasantly flavored : sprightly ; good in quality ; 
stone semi-clinging, round-ovate, plump, prominently 
ridged alorig the ventral suture. 

VLADIMIR. P. Cerasus. Vladimir is a 
Morello-like cherry not more promising than 
any other of the many competitors of English 
Morello. The cherries are large, very similar 
in size and appearance to those of English 
Morello; the pit is small; the skin is very 
thin and separates readily from the pulp; the 
fiesh is dark red with dark-colored juice, and 
too astringent and sour for dessert, but very 
good for culinary purposes. The tree is much 
like that of English Morello, but is more dwarf 
and not so productive, and ripens its fruit very 
unevenly. Vladimir has the reputation of 
being one of the hardiest of all cherries. It is 
said to come true from seed and to do better 
on its own roots than on either Mazzard or 
Mahaleb. The Russians succeed best with it 
when it is propagated from sprouts and al- 
lowed to form a bushy plant with several 
stems, the oldest of which are cut from time 
to time. Vladimir is a generic name for a 
group of varieties grown in Russia in the 
province of Vladimir, east of Moscow. J. L. 
Budd, Ames, Iowa, imported a number of 
these Vladimir cherries from central Russia 
about 1880. 

Tree dwarfish, round-topped, very hardy, productive. 
Leaves numerous, 3 inches long, 1% inches wide, oval, 
thick ; margin finely serrate, with dark-colored glands ; 
petiole ^ inch long, glandless or with 1-4 small, reni- 
forni, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers midseason, white, 
IVi inclies across; borne in scattering clusters in twos, 
threes and fours. Fruit very late ; Vs inch long, 1 inch 
wide, round-cordate, slightly compressed ; cavity rather 
shallow ; suture a line ; apex rounded ; color dark red 
almost black at full maturity ; dots numerous, small, 
russet, inconspicuous; stem slender, li^ inches in length, 
adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, separating from the 
pulp I flesh dark red, with very dark-colored juice, 
stringy, melting, sprightly, astringent, sour ; of fair 
nuality ; stone semi-clinging, large, long-ovate to oval, 
with smooth surfaces. 

WINDSOR. Fig. 142. P. avium. Windsor 
is the standard late Bigarreau and one of the 
most profitable cherries grown in America. 
In color, the cherries meet the market demand, 
as buyers prefer a dark-colored sweet cherry. 
The fruits are firm and stand har\'esting and 
shipping well ; and, at a season of the year 
when brown-rot is usually rife, Windsor is 
fairly free from this scourge of the sweet 
cherry. The quality is good, equaled but not 
surpassed by others of its class. The trees 
have the reputation of being the hardiest of 
the Bigarreaus, of thriving in many soils, and 
of being fruitful. To offset these merits, the 
trees have three rather serious faults: they 
do not come in bearing early; they are tall 



and upright in growth, being almost fastigiate, 
so that it is difficult to harvest the crop; and 
the load of fruit is 
not well distrib- 
uted. Cherry- 
growers agree that 
the worst of all 
pests for this fruit 
is the robin, and 
that Windsor is 
freest from this 
thieving bird. 
Wind.sor originated 
on the farm of 
James Dougall, 
Windsor, Ontario, 
and was intro- 
duced to fruit- 
growers in 1881. 

Tree large, vigor- 
ous, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, very pro- 
ductive. Leaves 4 inches 
long, 2 inches wide, 
oval, thin ; margin 
double crenate, glandu- 
lar ; petiole ly^ inches 
long, with 1-3 globose, 
reddish glands. Flowers 
midseason. white, IH 
inches across ; borne in 
scattering clusters, in 
ones and twos. Fruit 
late midseason ; 1 inch 
in diameter, oblong to 
conical, compressed ; 
cavity deep, wide, flar- 




142. Windsor. (XD 



mg ; 



sutu 



apex 



nded. 



at the center ; color 



very dark red becoming almost black ; dots 
small, russet, obscure ; stem slender, 1 *4 inches long, 
adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, adhering to the pulp ; 
flesh light red, with 
reddisli juice, tender, 
meaty, crisp, mild, 
sweet ; good to very 
good in quality ; stone 
semi-free, ovate, flat- 
tened, blunt-pointed, 
with smooth surfaces. 

WOOD. Fig. 
143. P. a V i u m. 
Governor Wood. 
Wood is preemi- 
nently a sweet 
cherry for the 
amateur. The trees 
are tender to cold, 
are not quite pro- 
ductive enough to 
make the variety 
profitable, and are 
somewhat fastidi- 
ous as to soils. To 
offset these defects, 
they are vigorous 
and healthy and 
bear early. But 
the chief fault of 
the cherry is to be 
found in the fruit. 
The flesh is soft 
and the cherries 
will not stand han- 
dling in harvest- 




143. Wood. (XI) 



156 



WRAGG 



YELLOW SPANISH 



ing and shipping, and are very susceptible to 
brown-rot. It is one of the first of the sweet 
cherries — large, yellowish-white tinted with 
shades of crimson — a beautiful fruit. The flesh 
separates readily from the skin, is tender, 
juicy, with an abundance of colorless juice 
and a flavor that has given it the reputation 
of being one of the best in quality. It would 
be hard to name another cherry better suited 
for small plantations. Wood was raised by 
J. P. Kirtland in 1842 at Cleveland, and named 
in honor of Reuben Wood, Governor of 
Ohio. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open, productive. 
Leaves numerous, 4% incites long, 2V4 inches wide, 
folded upward, obovate, thin ; apex acute ; base abrupt ; 
margin coarsely and doubly serrate, glandular ; petiole 
1% inches long, slender, with from one to three reniform, 
reddish glands. Flowers 1 inch across, arranged in twos 
and threes. Fruit matures in early midseason ; 1 inch 
in diameter, roundish-cordate, compressed ; cavity wide, 
flaring ; suture distinct, wide ; apex roundish ; color 
crimson on a yellowish-white background ; dots numer- 
ous, small, light russet, conspicuous ; stem slender, 1 ^/^ 
inches long, adhering well to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, 
separating from the pulp ; flesh whitish, juice colorless, 
tender, mild, sweet ; very good ; stone clinging, large, 
roundish, blunt, with smooth surfaces ; with a broad, 
ventral suture. 

WRAGG. P. Cerasus. Wragg is either 
English Morello or a strain of that variety. 
In Iowa, where the new variety is most largely 
grown, poraologists claim that it is distinct 
and that it is an improvement on English 
Morello. The American Pomological Society 
calls English Morello and Wragg the same. 
Those who believe that the two are distinct 
say that the fniit of Wragg is larger, the 
trees hardier and that the cherries ripen a 
little later than those of English Morello. 
With the information now at hand, it is im- 
possible to say whether or not Wragg is dis- 
tinct. A compiled description taken from the 
texts describing this cherry is so unsatisfactory 
that we offer none, and refer the reader to that 
of English Morello, from which it differs but 
little, if at all. 

YELLOW SPANISH. Fig. 144. P. avium. 
Ox Heart. White Caroon. Spanish Bigar- 
reau. For centuries Yellow Spanish was the 
best of all the Bigarreaus, and it is only in 
comparatively recent years that it has had 
rivals. Even yet, in tree-characters it is hardly 
equaled, surpassing Windsor, which has a 
notable tree, in several respects, and falling 
short of it only in hardiness. The trees are 
the largest of all the varieties of sweet cherries, 
and have an upright-spreading top, which gives 
a large bearing surface and forms a canopy of 
excellent foliage ; they are vigorous, bear 
abundantly and regularly, and come in bearing 
young, with the crop well distributed. Unfor- 



tunately, the cherries do not come up to the 
trees in points of superiority; they are smaller 
than those of Napoleon, the leading competi- 
tor of Yellow Spanish, and are more subject to 
attacks of brown- 
rot. In fruit. Yel- 
low Spanish is 
rather the hand- 
somer of the two 
cherries; the crim- 
son color is more 
evenly distributed 
and the skin does 
not have the mot- 
tled appearance of 
the fruits of Napo- 
leon; in quality, it 
is the better of the 
two, having ten- 
derer flesh and a 
sweeter and richer 
flavor. Yellow 
Spanish is notable 
in the nursery for 
its strong, upright 
tree which bears 
large leaves, the 
leaves of no other 
variety attaining 
so great a size. 
Despite the great 
age of the variety, 
it still remains one 
of the best, fur- 
nishing proof that 
varieties do not 
degenerate with 
age. Yellow Spanish is so old and so widely 
disseminated that its origin can only be con- 
jectured. From the name, one naturally infers 
a Spanish nativity, yet the variety is almost 
equally well known as Bigarreau, of French 
derivation. Under the latter name, pomol- 
ogists believe that they trace its history to 
the first century of the Christian Era. The 
variety was imported to America from Lon- 
don by the Princes, Flushing, Long Island, in 
the year 1802, under the name Yellow Spanish. 

Tree very large and vigorous, upright-spreading, open- 
topped, productive. Leaves numerous, 5^ inches long, 
2^^ inches wide, elliptical; margin coarsely and doubly 
serrate, with small, dark glands; petiole 1% inches 
long, with 1-4 large, reniform, reddish-yellow glands. 
Flowers midseason, w-hite, lYi inches across; borne in 
well-distributed clusters, in twos and threes. Fruit 
midseason ; 1 inch or over in diameter, cordate, com- 
pressed ; cavity deep, wide, flaring ; suture a mere line ; 
apex rounded, not depressed ; color bright amber-yellow 
with a reddish blush, slightly mottled ; dots numerous, 
small, light russet, oliscure ; stem IVz inches long, 
adherent to the fruit ; skin thin, tough, separating from 
the pulp ; flesh white, with colorless juice. ten<ier, meaty, 
crisp, aromatic, sprightly, sweet ; very good to best in 
quality ; stone free, ovate, flattened, oblique, with smooth 
surfaces. 




144. Yellow Spanish. 
(XI) 



CHAPTER X 
VARIETIES OF NECTARINES 



The temptation is strong to include nectarines 
under peaches as a group not more distinct 
from any one of the several groups of peaches 
than these are from one another. In all po- 
mological literature, current and past, however, 
the nectarine is discussed as a distinct fruit; 
it seems best, therefore, not to depart from 
a custom so well established. The nectarine 
is not an orchard fruit of importance in any 
part of North America excepting California, 
and in that state is of minor importance. The 
lack of culture of this fruit is due not to in- 
feriority in the product, but to the fact that 
in the East curculio takes so great toll from 
the smooth-skinned nectarines that a crop can 
hardly be matured; while in the West, nec- 
tarines are not profitable because the fruits 
are too delicate to meet the demands of com- 
merce, bruising and decaying before the crop 
can be put in the hands of consumers. For 
these reasons, there has been small demand 
for new varieties of nectarines ; scarcely a score 
are under cultivation in the United States, of 
which sixteen are described in this chapter, 
the brief descriptions having been made, unless 
otherwise stated, from trees growing at Geneva, 
New York. 

ADVANCE. Of the few early nectarines 
worth growing, Advance is much the earliest, 
ripening nearly two weeks before any other 
variety. The fruits are only medium in size, 
but are rich and well flavored, and the flesh 
separates freely from the stone. The variety 
is of little use in greenhouses, where nectarines 
are grown in the East, but is well liked by 
fruit-fanciers in California as an extra early 
variety. It is an old English sort, introduced 
into America a half century ago. 

Tree large and vigorous, neither regular nor hea\'y in 
bearing. Leaves without glands. Flowers large 'and 
brilliant. Fruit extra early, of medium size, green on 
the shaded parts, with clteek blushed and sun-freckled 
with red and brown ; flesh greenish-white, free from 
the stone, sweet and rich. 

BOSTON. Lewis. Perkins Seedling. Al- 
though Boston was being grown at least as 
early as 1830 in the United States, it is still 
a favorite in greenhouses and gardens in the 
East and as a commercial crop in California. 
The fruits are large and handsome, but, while 
they have a pleasant distinctive flavor, are not 
quite so acceptable for dessert as those of 
several other varieties. A peculiarity of the 
variety is that the stone is small and pointed. 
Boston was raised from a peach-stone planted 
by T. Lewis, Boston, Massachusetts, early in 



the last century, the first fruits being exhibited 
about 1830. 

Tree small but vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, 
productive ; branches smooth, slender, dark red, with 
numerous conspicuous lenticele. Leaves rather large, 
lanceolate, thin, dark green, with globose glands. Flow- 
ers midseason, small, pink. Fruit late midseason, 1%, 
inches in diameter, round-oval, irregular, halves unequal ; 
cavity rather deep, wide ; suture shallow or but a line ; 
apex depressed, mucronate ; color yellow blushed with 
crimson, sometimes mottled and sun-flecked ; skin nearly 
free ; flesh yellow, moderately coarse, sweet, aromatic, 
pleasant and distinctive ; stone small, ovate, free, 
pointed, brown, corrugated ; quality good. 

CARDINAL. Fig. 145. This comparatively 
new nectarine seems to have been tested only 
in greenhouses in America. It is considered 
one of the best both here and abroad for forc- 
ing and for pot culture. The variety might 
well be tried as an extra early nectarine for 




145. Cardinal. (.XV2) 

out-of-doors, for, although it is a clingstone, its 
trim contour, delicately marked coloring, and 
piquant refreshing flavor make it a most in- 
viting dessert fruit. Cardinal is an English 
nectarine first mentioned about 1890. 

Tree rather small, round-headed, compact, hardy, pro- 
ductive. Leaves with reniform glands. Flowers" large, 
pale rose. Fruit extra early, medium to small in size, 
oval : suture shallow but distinct ; apex depressed with 
a well-marked abrupt tip ; color greenish-yellow, marbled 
with a distinctive salmon-red, with white spots covered 
with net-like lines ; flesh greenish-white, juicy, melting, 
piquant, refreshing ; quality good ; stone clinging rather 
tenaciously, somewhat large, ovate. 

DOWNTON. For over a century one of 
the first-rate nectarines, Downton is still a 
staunch commercial variety wherever this fruit 
is widely grown, vigor of tree and great pro- 
ductiveness recommending it. It is a second 
early sort, ripening at Geneva, New York, early 
in September. The original plant was raised 
by the famous pomologist, T. A. Knight, of 
Downton Castle, Herefordshire, England, but 
the variety now grown in America is probably 



157 



158 



EARLY NEWINGTON 



HUMBOLT 



the Improved Downton of Rivers, differing in 
having a better bearing tree and a more richly 
flavored fruit. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, hardy, very 
productive. Leaves large, lanceolate, thin, dark green, 
with kidney-shaped glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch 
in diameter, pink, often in pairs, on short, glabrous, 
green pedicels. Fruit midseason, 2 inches in diameter, 
round-oval ; cavity medium in width and depth ; suture 
shallow ; apex a sharp tip ; color greenish-white, with 
a clean, lively red cheek next to the sun ; flesh pale green, 
red at the stone, juicy, tender, fine-grained, sweet mingled 
with some piquancy, rich, aromatic ; quality very good ; 
stone free, ovate, medium in size, corrugated. 

EARLY NEWINGTON. This old Eng- 
lish nectarine was at one time very generally 
offered by American nurserymen, and an oc- 
casional tree of it is still to be found. The 
rich, sugary, vinous flavor commends the fruit, 
but the stone clings so tenaciously to the juicy 
flesh that the variety is not in favor with 
dainty eaters. It is an old sort, dating back 
a century or more, a seedling of Newington, 
from which it differs in its earlier fruits, which 
are larger, darker red, and richer in flavor; the 
parent is now discarded. 

Tree large, spreading, hardy, productive. Leaves of 
medium size, lanceolate, thin, dark green, serrated, 
without glands. Flowers rather early, large, pink. Fruit 
early ; large, 2 inches in diameter, round-ovate, irregular 
being enlarged on one side of the suture ; cavity rather 
deep and wide ; suture well marked ; apex with a sharp, 
swollen point ; color pale green with an over-color of 
lively red, marbled with darker red and usually covered 
with light bloom ; flesh pale green, deeply stained witli 
red at the stone, rich, sweet, juicy, aromatic ; quality 
very good ; stone of medium size, clinging rather 
tenaciously, ovate. 

ELRUGE. Fig. 146. Mentioned first in 
1670 and probably much older, Elruge is a 
time-honored landmark in the evolution of 
nectarines, and at the same time one of the 
best of its species. It is seldom to be found 
in the commercial plantations of California, 
but for over a hvmdred years has been an in- 
habitant of fruit-fanciers' collections on the 




146. Elruge. (XMi) 

Atlantic seaboard, and is still offered by sev- 
eral eastern nurseiymen. The fruit, while of 
but medium size, is voluptuously inviting in 
appearance, by reason of its trim contour, 
smooth flesh-colored skin, and crimson cheek, 
which, with its rich flavor, make it an alluring 
dessert fruit. Elruge, formerly spelled Elrouge, 
is said to have originated with a nurseryman 
in England named Gourle (Elrouge being an 



anagram of Gourle) in the time of Charles the 
Second. 

Tree of medium size, compact, hardy, very productive, 
excellent for forcing under glass. Leaves rather large, 
thin, lanceolate, dark green, with reniform glands. 
Flowers midseason, small, % inch in diameter, deep 
pink, solitary or in twos. Fruit midseason, 1% inches 
in diameter, round-oval, regular ; cavity of medium width 
and depth ; apex a swollen point ; color creamy-white 
with a crimson ciieek, sometimes sun-freckled with red ; 
skin thin, adherent ; flesh white, red at the pit, juicy, 
tender, piquant, aromatic ; quality very good ; stone 
free, small. 

HARDWICKE. In southern California, 
Hardwicke is the favorite nectarine, being the 
heaviest and most dependable bearer. The 
fruits are said to make a most excellent dried 
product, as the cured nectarines have a rich 
flavor, and the flesh becomes almost trans- 
lucent and of a beautiful amber tint. Eastern 
nurserymen do not offer the variety, and it is 
doubtful if trees can be found in the East. It 
is an old English nectarine, said to be a seed- 
ling of Elruge, introduced into the United 
States sometime previous to 1850. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, spreading, productive. Leaves 
rather small, medium green, thin, witliout glands. Flow- 
ers large, more than an inch in diameter. Fruit mid- 
season, very large, round or sometimes round-oval ; color 
pale green almost covered with dark purplish red which 
becomes a solid color on the sunny side ; flesh greenish, 
stained with red at the stone, tender, and melting, 
juicy, ricli and sweet ; quality good ; stone of medium 
size, free, ovate. 

HUMBOLT. Fig. 147. This is a compara- 
tively new English nectarine, which, neverthe- 
less, has been under cultivation for at least a 




147. Humbolt. {XV2) 

half century, — so slowly do nectarines change. 
Pomologists in California speak of it as one 
of the best for some locations in that state. 
The large, deep-rose flowers are so beautiful 
that the variety is well worth cultivating as 
an ornamental. This variety is one of the 
many nectarines which originated with Rivers, 
the famous nurseryman, Sawbridgeworth, Eng- 
land. 

Tree large, vigorous, hardy, usually productive, often 
bearing the second year out. Leaves long, thin, medium 
green, with round glands. Flowers very large, 1% 
inches in diameter, deep rose, solitary or in twos or 
threes. Fruit late, large, 2^^ inches in diameter, oblong- 
oval ; cavity rather shallow ; apex a swollen point, 
slightly depressed ; suture shallow or a hair-line ; color 
yellow-orange, stained, streaked, mottled with dull red 
and sometimes sun-flecked on the cheek to the sun ; 
flesh yellow, almost orange, tender, juicy, red at the 
pit, sweet, rich and aromatic ; quality very good ; stone 
free, otwvate to ovate, pointed, corrugated, pitted, brown. 



LORD NAPIER 



PITMASTON ORANGE 



LORD NAPIER. Fig. 148. It is agreed, 
at home and abroad, that Lord Napier is the 
mainstay in commercial orchards as the earliest 
nectarine. The tree in California is reported 
to be a heavy and regular bearer, and the fruit 




148. Lord Napier. (XVa) 

is pronounced about the best. The variety is 
grown as commonly as any other in eastern 
America either in the greenhouse or in the 
garden. This, too, came from Rivers, Saw- 
bridgeworth, England, and is said to have 
sprung from a pit of the Early Albert peach. 

Tree rather large, vigorous, as hardy as any, regular 
and productive in bearing. Leaves tj-pical, with reniform 
glands. Flowers early, large, pale rose. Fruit early, 
large, 2% inches in diameter, ovate, regular; cavity 
wide and rather deep ; suture wide and shallow ; apex 
depressed with a nipple in the depression ; color pale 
cream, mottled and streaked with blood-red, with a 
dark crimson cheek on the side to the sun ; flesh white, 
very tender, melting, juicy, without red at the stone, 
piquant ; quality good ; stone free, rather large, ovate, 
pointed, corrugated, slightly pitted. 

NEWTON. Fig. 149. Out of more than 
fifty nectarines that have fruited at one time 
or another on the grounds of the New York 
Agricultural Station, Geneva, New York, New- 
ton is about the best. The fruits are large, 



large, 6 inches long, 1 % inches wide ; margin serrate 
and glandular ; petiole stout, with 3-4 reniform glands. 
Flowers small, % inch in diameter, dark pink, solitary 
or in twos or threes. Fruit late, large, 2^ inches in 
diameter, oval ; cavity medium in width and depth ; 
suture shallow ; apex depressed with an abrupt tip ; 
color greenish-yellow, marbled with brownish-red and 
crimson with some pale spots ; flesh pale green with 
faint red radiating from the stone, almost transparent, 
with a rich, almond-like flavor ; quality very good ; 
Btone free, ovate, reddish. 

NEW WHITE. Large White. According 
to Wickson, chief authority on fruits in Cali- 
fornia, New White is "commended wherever 
nectarines are grown in California, and is more 
freely planted than all other nectarines com- 
bined." It is not known in England or in 
eastern United States, at least under this name 
Its history is not given in California catalogs 
and fruit-books. Wickson describes it as fol- 
lows in his California Fruits: 

"Leaves with reniform glands ; flowers large ; fruit 
rather large, nearly round ; skin white with occasionally 
a slight tinge of red ; flesh white, tender, very juicy, 
with rich, vinous flavor; stone small and free." 

PINEAPPLE. Fig. 150. Pineapple is 
probably fit only for forcing, and it is a favor- 
ite for that purpose in England, and is occa- 
sionally found under glass in America. English 




150. Pineapple. (XV2) 




149. Newton. (XVa) 

handsome, richly flavored, with flesh of almost 
jelly-like transparency. If they can be had 
free from the stings of curculio and the rot 
of monilia, both of which ravage the nec- 
tarine, the fruits are almost flawless — the con- 
summate product of the peach family. Newton 
originated in England, where it is considered 
one of the best late nectarines, with Rivers of 
Sawbridgeworth, about the middle of the last 
century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open, hardy, 
productive ; branches and branchlets reddish, short- 
jointed, with rather inconspicuous lenticels. Leavea 



pomologists say that it is too tender for out- 
of-doors, and it seems not to have been tried 
in orchards in America. The variety has the 
charm of individuality in its very yellow flesh 
and its rich pineapple flavor. Pineapple seems 
to have been cultivated for a half-century at 
least. The description is compiled from Eng- 
lish catalogs. 

Tree rather small, tender, free in bearing. Leaves 
with round glands. Flowers large, deep rose with a 
dark eye, handsome. Fruit midseason, large, round- 
ovate : suture distinct ; color deep orange with a bright 
crimson blush ; flesh orange-yellow marbled with red 
next the stone, firm, aromatic, with a rich pineapple 
flavor ; quality very good ; stone free, small, with deep 
corrugations. 

PITMASTON ORANGE. Sometimes of- 
fered as Pit Orange, Pitmaston Orange has 
been grown for nearly a century by fruit- 
fanciers, and is still esteemed for both the 
garden and the greenhouse. The fruit of no 
other nectarine excels that of Pitmaston 
Orange in beauty and quality. The trees are 
ever>'where mentioned as excellent bearers, but 
have the reputation of being a little tender 
to cold. The variety came to America from 



160 



RIVERS ORANGE 



VICTORIA 



England, in which country it dates back to 
1815 at least. 

Tree rather small, tender to cold, very productive. 
Leaves with a tint of yellow, round glands. Flowers 
large, rich rose, borne very abundantly. Fruit mid- 
season, large, round-ovate ; suture distinct ; apex ending 
in an acute, swollen point ; color rich orange, brownish- 
red next the sun, marbled with yellow ; flesh deep yellow, 
red at the stone, juicy, very rich ; quality very good ; 
stone free, small, sharp-pointed, deeply furrowed. 

RIVERS ORANGE. Fig. 151. After Pit- 
maston Orange, Rivers Orange is the favorite 
nectarine in America for forcing. The fruits 




151. Rivers Orange. (XVa) 

of the two varieties are very similar, Rivers 
Orange being a seedling of Pitmaston Orange; 
the chief difference is in the trees, those of 
Rivers Orange being a little hardier, more 
robust, and more productive. The leaf-glands 
in Rivers Orange are reniform, while those of 
the parent are round. The variety is another 
of the remarkable nectarines which originated 
with Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England, in the 
middle of the last centurj'. In European coun- 
tries. Rivers Orange is ver>' generally taking 
the place of Pitmaston Orange, but in America 
the parent variety is preferred both in the or- 
chard and in the greenhouse. 

STANWICK. This is a variety of lesser 
importance, but much grown in England under 
glass, as it is somewhat in eastern .America. 
It is offered by California nurserymen, but 



does not appear to be much grown in that 
state. In New York the trees are not hardy. 
The variety originated in England from seed 
brought from Syria and sown in 1&43. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, compact, tender to 
cold, productive. Leaves with reniform glands. Flowers 
large, deep rose. Fruit late, large, round-oval, heart- 
shaped at the base ; color pale green, purplish-red or 
almost violet in the sun ; flesh white, melting, sweety 
rich, aromatic, delicious ; quality very good ; stone rather 
large with a kernel similar in taste to that of the 
sweet almond. 

VICTORIA. Fig. 152. This variety is oc- 
casionally to be found in America under glass, 
as it is one of the very best for forcing. The 
fruit is very similar to that of Stanwick, one 
of its parents, and all agree that it is as good, 
with the great merit of ripening a month 
earlier. In tree, it is nearly a duplicate of 
Stanwick. Grown under glass, this nectarine 
is one of the most luscious of all fruits — fare 




152. Victoria. (X^) 

fit to set before a king. The variety should 
be tried out-of-doors wherever nectarines suc- 
ceed; for, on the grounds of the New York 
Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New 
York, where nectarines do not thrive remark- 
ably well, this one is about as satisfactory as 
any of the standard sorts, and the trees are 
much hardier than those of Stanwick. In Eng- 
land it has been grown since 1861, and is now 
a general favorite. 



CHAPTER XI 
VARIETIES OF PEACHES 



In the author's Peaches of New York, 2181 
varieties of this fruit are described; the num- 
ber attests the variability of the peach in 
America, Europe, and Asia, many sorts grown 
at one time or another in the New World 
having come from the Old World. Of these, 
120 are described in this text as being in 
cultivation at the present time, most of which, 
but not all, are offered in current catalogs of 
the trade. The great number of kinds can 
he distinguished through differences in size, 
shape, skin, flesh, flavor, aroma, stone, and 
season; and, if fruit be lacking or insufficient 
for identification, the leaf, flower, and tree 
offer nearly as many more distinguishing char- 
acters. If the histories be noted, it will be 
seen that most of the varieties have come from 
chance seedlings, and that there have been few 
attempts in the past systematically to breed 
peaches. The several groups and the many 
varieties described make an excellent founda- 
tion upon which to build, and now that plant- 
breeding centers around better-known phenom- 
ena than breeders have had to work with in the 
past, it may be expected that peaches superior 
to those we now have will be introduced rap- 
idly. Unfortunately, a comparatively large 
number of the descriptions have had to be 
compiled; wherever this is the case, the fact 
is noted. All of the other descriptions, by 
far the larger number, have been made from 
trees growing on the grounds of the Experi- 
ment Station at Geneva, New York. 

ADMIRAL DEWEY. Fig. 153. Admiral. 
Dewey. While nowhere largely planted. Ad- 
miral Dewey is often set for an early peach 
in commercial and home orchards. The 




153. Admiral Dewey. (XVa) 

peaches are yellow in flesh, good in quality, 
not always freestone, run small, are so heavily 
pubescent as to be unattractive, are very sus- 
ceptible to brown-rot, and are often disfigured 
by peach-scab. Admiral Dewey was grown 



from a seed of Alexander by J. D. Husted, 
Vineyard, Georgia, and was introduced in 1899; 
it is grown commercially East, West, North, 
and South. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hard.v, very 
productive. Leaves 6 inclies long, 1^ inches wide, oval 
to lanceolate-obovate, thin ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, 
with one to seven large, reniform, greenish-yellow 
glands. Flowers midseason, pink, 1 ^ inches across. 
Fruit early; 2^ inches long, 2^ inches wide, round- 
oblate, conipressed ; cavity deep, wide, abrupt ; suture 
shallow, deeper at the extremities ; apex flattened, with 
mucronate tip ; color deep orange-yellow, blushed with 
dark red, indistinctly splashed and mottled ; pubescence 
heavy ; skin thin, tender, adherent to the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, tinged with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, 
tender, melting, sweet but sprightly; good in quality; 
stone semi-free to free, obovate, flattened at the base, 
tapering to a short point, with grooved surfaces. 

ALBRIGHT CLING. Albright Cling is a 
great favorite among canners in the San 
Joaquin Valley, California. The fruits hang 
long on the trees and stand shipment well, 
even after ripening. The peaches ripen very 
late, enabling canners to make a late run in 
canning. The variety originated with a Mr. 
Albright, Placerville, California, at least a 
quarter-century ago. 

Tree strong, bearing early, regularly and heavily. 
Fruit late, verj- large ; yellow with a bright cheek ; 
flesh firm, yello'w, rather dry, rich and sweet ; quality 
very good ; pit of medium size, clinging. 

ALEXANDER. Alexanders Early. Alex- 
ander is one of the notable early peaches on 
this continent, hardiness and vigor of tree 
contributing with earliness to make the variety 
popular. Unfortunately, the peaches run small, 
the flesh clings to the stone, is so tender that 
the two can be separated only with difficulty, 
and the quality is poor. In addition to the 
defects of the fruit, the trees have the fault 
of being unproductive. The fruits are very 
susceptible to brown-rot, but to offset this 
weakness, the trees are resistant to leaf-curl. 
Alexander has been more or less grown in 
every peach-region on this continent, some- 
times attaining considerable commercial im- 
portance, but is now widely cultivated only 
on the Pacific slope. It is often confused with 
Amsden, though the two are quite distinct. 
Alexander originated soon after the Civil War 
on the farm of 0. A. Alexander, Mount 
Pulaski, Illinois. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves 6 inches long, 1^ inches wide, oval- 
lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with dark-red glands ; petiole i^ inch long, 
glandless or with 1-4 small, usually globose, greenish- 
yellow glands tipped with red. Flowers early, pale 



161 



162 



ALTON 



BANNER 



pink, 1% inches across. Fruit very early; 2J4 inches 
in diameter, round, compressed, with sides nearly equal ; 
cavity deep, flaring; suture shallow; apex depressed, 
ending in a mucronate or small, mamelon, recurved tip ; 
color greenish-white becoming creamy-white, blushed and 
blotched with dark red, mottled ; pubescence short ; skin 
separates readily from the pulp ; flesh greenish-white, 
juicy, stringy, sweet, very mild ; fair to good in quality ; 
stone clinging, oval, plump, faintly winged, abruptly 
pointed at the apex, with slightly pitted surfaces and 
with a few grooves. 

ALTON. Minnie. Alton is characterized 
by white-fleshed, semi-free peaches of large 
size and handsome appearance, borne on hardy 
and productive trees. The crop ripens a little 
earlier than that of Champion, long the favor- 
ite white-fleshed peach of its season, does not 
rot so readily when brown-rot is rife, and hangs 
longer on the tree in good condition. The 
fruits are not so choicely good in quality as 
those of Champion, nor are the trees quite 
so productive. Other faults are: leaf-curl 
takes heavy toll on unsprayed trees; the 
blossoms open so early as often to be caught 
by spring frosts; and the peaches show great 
variation in size, shape, texture, and flavor. 
Alton seems to be most at home in the Middle 
West and South. The variety originated with 
T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, about 1890. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, hardy, medium in produc- 
tiveness. Leaves 6Vi inches long, 1% inches wide, oval- 
lanceolate, broad ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped 
with dark glands ; petiole % inch long, with 2 reniform 
glands, greenish-yellow, tipped with dull red. Flowers 
early, pale pink, nearly 2 inches across ; borne singly. 
Fruit early midseason ; 2^4 inches in diameter, round- 
oblate, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity flaring ; 
suture of medium depth ; apex roundish, mucronate ; 
color creamy-white overspread with dull red, dotted and 
splashed with carmine ; pubescence thin, short ; skin 
tough, adhering slightly to the pulp ; flesh white, juicy, 
stringy, tender, pleasantly subacid ; fair in quality : 
stone semi-cling, plump at the apex, winged near the 
base, with pitted surfaces. 

AMSDEN. Amsden was at one time a fa- 
vorite early peach, but is now grown only in 
a few western states. The variety was added 
to the fruit list of the American Pomological 
Society in 1877, but was dropped in 1891. It 
grew from a seed planted in 1868 by L. C. 
Amsden, Carthage, Missouri. 

Tree vigorous, productive ; glands globose. Fruit very 
early, of medium size, round, slightly compressed ; suture 
broad, shallow, extending beyond the depressed apex ; 
skin greenish-white, nearly covered with light and dark 
red or purple in the sun ; flesh greenish-white throughout, 
tender, juicy, sweet, vinous ; quality good ; stone small, 
nearly free when mature. 

ANGEL. Angel is a peach of the Peento 
type which blooms nearly a month later than 
Peento in the southern states, thus escaping 
injury from frost in many sections. The va- 
riety is further distinguished by bearing young 
and in being very prolific. The fniit is also 
somewhat remarkable, entirely lacking the 
bitter-almond flavor of so many peaches of 
this group. Angel was grown from seed of 
Peento planted bv P. C. Minnich, Waldo, 
Florida, about 1880. 

Tree open, vigorous, bearing young, very productive. 
Fruit late, large, round or slightly pointed ; suture 
shallow, short ; apex slightly tipped ; skin creamy-yellow 
tinted and washed with attractive red ; flesh white, 



reddish near the pit, firm, juicy with a slightly acid 
and very agreeable flavor ; quality very good ; stone of 
medium size, free. 

ARP. Arp Beauty. Arp is the earliest good 
yellow peach. The round-oval shape; shallow 
suture ; creamy-yellow skin, heavily blushed 
with red; thick pubescence with the sheen of 
velvet make the peaches beautiful. The flesh 
is light yellow, firm, juicy, sweet, rich and of 
excellent quality ; but, unfortunately, clings 
tenaciously to the stone. The season of Arp is 
from a month to five weeks earlier than that 
of Elberta, and for so early a peach is remark- 
ably long. The trees are healthy, vigorous, 
productive, and hardier in bud than the av- 
erage, but somewhat susceptible to brown-rot. 
The fruits stand the wear and tear of transpor- 
tation and markets as well as those of any of 
the standard peaches. Arp originated with 
C. P. Orr, Arp, Texas, about 1897, and waa 
introduced by the originator about 1902. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, productive. 
Leaves GVi inches long, IV2 inches wide, oval-lanceolate, 
thin, leathery ; margin finely serrate, tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, with 1-3 large, 
reniform, greenish-yellow or reddish-brown glands. 
Flowers midseason, light pink, 1 % inches across ; borne 
seldom in twos. Fruit early ; 2 inches in diameter, 
round, compressed, the halves unequal ; cavity medium 
to deep, wide, abrupt ; suture shallow, deeper at the 
base ; apex round or depressed, with a mucronate tip ; 
color greenish-yellow changing to deep yellow, heavily 
blushed with red, indistinctly striped, with conspicuous 
dots ; pubescence short, stiff, thick ; skin thick, tough, 
adhering to the pulp ; flesh light yellow with faint 
stripes of red radiating from the pit, juicy, stringy, 
tender, sweet, highly flavored ; very good in quality ; 
stone clinging, narrow-oval, plump, with short, acute 
apex, the surfaces pitted and with few short grooves. 

BAILEY. Bailey is a very hardy variety 
grown in Iowa and Nebraska. The tree comes 
nearly true to seed, and the variety has been 
distributed in Iowa through seedlings, which 
accounts for the differences that appear in 
different localities. It was named after a Dr. 
Bailey, West Branch. Iowa, who grew the va^- 
riety extensively. What its origin was does 
not appear, but it has been grown at least 
since 1893. 

Tree dwarf, with spreading, willowy habit, very sus- 
ceptible to mildew ; leaves deeply serrated, glandless. 
Fruit midseason, rather small, pale yellow splashed with 
red on the sunny side ; flesh white, juicy ; quality fair 
to good ; pit small, free. 

BANNER. Though it was introduced at 
least forty years ago, it is still uncertain 
whether Banner is worth growing. At present, 
it is listed only by nurserymen in Michigan, 
New York, and Ohio, and the number of fruit- 
lists containing it grows fewer year by year. 
The variety fails because the trees are rather 
uncertain in bearing, and the peaches are small 
and only fair in quality. Banner originated 
in Essex County, Canada, about 1880. 

Tree upright, spreading, hardy, vigorous but uncertain 
in bearing ; glands usually reniform ; flowers small. 
Fruit late, ripening a week after Elberta ; round and 
slightly cordate ; small or only medium in size ; apex 
rounded with a mamelon tip ; skin tough, with short, 
fine pubescence ; deep yellow mottled with red ; flesh 
yellow stained with red at the pit, moderately juicy, 
firm, mild ; quality fair to good ; stone broadly ov^, 
slightly flattened, deeply grooved, free or nearly so. 



BELLE 



BLOOD CLING 



163 



BELLE. Fig. 154. Belle of Georgia. 
Georgia. Belle elicits praise because of the 
great beauty of its fruits, which are large, trim 
in contour, creamy-white, with a beautiful 
crimson cheek — truly voluptuous in form and 
color. The fruits are as enticing to the eye in- 
wardly as outwardly, for the white flesh is 
delicately marbled, tinted with red at the pit, 
and flesh and pit usually part cleanly. Un- 
fortunatel}', appearance misrepresents quality; 
for the variety, while good, falls short in flavor, 
and the flesh is stringy, so that it must be 




154. Belle. (XVa) 

rated as not above the average for its type. 
The trees are large, open-headed, a little strag- 
gling, fast-growing, and hardy, though, like 
most of their type, easy prey to leaf-curl. 
Belle prefers a southern climate, and in the 
South is often a good commercial sort. Belle 
came from a seed of Chinese Cling planted in 
1870 by L. A. Rumph, Marshallville, Georgia. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
very productive. Leaves 5hi inches long, 1^.^ inches 
wide, oblong-lanceolate, leathery ; margin coarsely ser- 
rate ; teeth tipped with dark red glands; petiole 1% 
inches long, with 2-6 large, reniform or globose, greenish- 
yellow glands. Fruit midseason ; 2 inches in diameter, 
round-oval, bulging near the apex, compressed, with 
halves nearly equal ; cavity abruptly flaring, red, with 
tender skin ; suture shallow, deepening toward the apex ; 
apex round with a mucronate tip ; color greenish-white 
changing to creamy-white, blushed with red, with faint 
stripes and splashes of darker red, mottled ; pubescence 
short, fine, thick ; skin thin, tender, adherent to the 
pulp ; flesh white, tinged with red at the pit and with 
radiating rays of red, juicy, stringy, tender, sweet, 
mild ; good in quality ; stone semi-free to free, oval, 
bulged near the apex, blunt at the base, with short, 
sharp point at the apex, with deeply pitted surfaces. 

BEQUETTE FREE. Bequette Free makes 
a favorable impression because of the flavor 
and attractive appearance of the fruit, but 
does not receive general commendation except 
on the Pacific slope. The trees are fast-growing, 
very vigorous, hardy, and densely clothed with 
foliage, but they cannot be called fruitful, and 
are susceptible to leaf-curl. This variety origi- 
nated about 1860 in a seedling orchard of 
Benjamin Bequette, Visalia, California. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
rather unproductive. Leaves very numerous, 6% inches 
long, 1% inches wide, oval-lanceolate to broad-obovate, 
leathery ; margin coarsely serrate ; teeth tipped with 
dark glands ; petiole ^2 inch long, with 2-.5 large, 
reniform, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers midseason, 
light to dark pink, IVt inches across, borne in ones and 
twos. Fruit midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, round- 
oval, compressed, often with unequal sides ; cavity small. 



deep, abrupt, often tinged with red ; suture shallow, 
deepening toward the apex ; apex round, depressed at 
the center, with a small, recurved, mamelon tip ; color 
greenish-white marked with yellow, blushed, splashed 
and blotched with dark red : pubescence thick, long, 
coarse ; skin thin, tough, separates readily from the 
pulp ; flesh white, tinged with red near the pit, juicy, 
stringy, tender and melting, pleasantly flavored, sprightly ; 
good to very good in quality ; stone nearly free, oval, 
with a short-pointed apex, with deeply pitted and 
slightly grooved surfaces. 

BERENICE. At its best, Berenice is hardly 
surpassed by any other peach, but the fruits 
vary greatly, and this fact, with their none 
too attractive coloring, is probably the reason 
why the variety is not more grown. The trees 
are about all that could be desired, falling 
short chiefly in not being so productive as 
several other peaches of the same season and 
in being susceptible to leaf-curl. The variety 
has been offered to fruit-growers a sufficient 
length of time to have had its merits well 
tried as a commercial peach, and the fact that 
it is not now largely grown is presumptive 
evidence that it has little commercial value. 
The variety is a good sort for a home col- 
lection. Berenice originated some thirty or 
more years ago with the late L. E. Berckmans, 
Augusta, Georgia. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
medium to productive. Leaves 6 inches long, 1V4 inches 
wide, oval to obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin 
coarsely serrate ; teeth tipped with dark glands ; petiole 
M inch long, with 2-10 large, reniform, yellowish-green 
glands. Flowers midseason, 1V4 inches across, pale pink, 
tinged darker along the edges. Fruit midseason ; 2% 
inches in diameter, round-oval, with halves often un- 
equal ; cavity deep, medium to wide, contracted around 
the sides, with tender skin, often blushed with red ; 
suture shallow, deepening toward the apex ; apex round- 
ish or depressed, with a mucronate or mamelon tip ; 
color greenish-yellow, blushed and splashed with red ; 
pubescence short, fine ; skin tough, separates from the 
pulp ; flesh yellow, faintly tinted with red near the pit, 
stringy, tender and meltmg, sweet, mild, pleasant 
flavored ; good in quality ; stone nearly free, oval, plump, 
drawn out at tlie ends, usually with pitted surfaces. 

BILYEU. Discarded in the East, where it 
originated a half century ago, Bilyeu is now 
proving somewhat of a favorite in California 
as an extremely late freestone peach suitable 
for dessert and for local markets. The variety 
is one of the latest of all white-fleshed free- 
stones, and is also remarkable for the excep- 
tional vigor of the trees. Bilyeu originated 
as a chance seedling in Caroline County, Mary- 
land, with a Mr. Bilveu sometime previous to 
1880. 

Tree very vigorous, very productive, certain in bearing 
only in California. Fruit medium to large in the East, 
very large in California, round ; skin greenish white 
with a red cheek ; flesh white, firm, sweet, juicy ; good 
to very good in quality ; stone rather large, free. 

BLOOD CLING. Blood Peach. Indian 
Blood. Blood Cling is the favorite curiosity 
of the peach-orchard. The fruit is pleasant to 
eat out of hand, and is much used for pickling 
and preserving, for which purpose it has much 
merit. This peach is an American seedling 
raised many years ago from the Blood Cling- 
stone of the French. The fruit is much larger 
than that of the parent, but otherwise is much 
the same. The Blood Free raised by John M. 



164 



BLOOD LEAF 



BURKE 



Ives, Salem, Massachusetts, while somewhat of 
the nature of Blood Cling, is, nevertheless, a 
different sort. 

Tree large, vigorous, round, compact, hardy, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves 5% inches long, IV2 inches wide, oval- 
lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped 
with dark brown glands ; petiole '/4 inch long, with 
2-5 reniform. light or dark green glands. Flowers mid- 
season ; blossoms pink, 1 % inches across. Fruit very 
late; 1% inches in diameter, compressed, with unequal 
halves ; cavity narrow, abrupt, usually white ; suture 
shallow ; apex round, with a mucronate tip ; color dull 
greenish-white, entirely overspread with dingy pink with 
splashes and stripes of darker, clouded red, mottled ; 
pubescence long, coarse ; skin tough, adherent to the 
pulp ; tlesh red, becoming lighter colored at the stone, 
juicy, stringy, tough and meaty, brisk, pleasantly 
flavored ; fair in quality ; stone clinging, obovate. short- 
pointed, strongly bulged near the apex, with grooved 
and pitted surfaces. 

BLOOD LEAF. Blood-leaved Peach. 
Blood Leaf is a handsome ornamental. Its 
beet-red leaves in early spring and its pink 
blossoms, borne in great profusion, entitle it 
to esteem for both foliage and flowers. The 
peaches are in no way remarkable, and yet 
they please some as a dessert fruit. The va- 
riety originated in Mississippi in the sixties 
and was introduced in 1871. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, willowy in 
growth, open-topped, hardy, unproductive. Leaves 4% 
inches long, IVi inches wide, oval-lanceolate with ten- 
dency to obovate, thin ; margin finely serrate -, teeth 
tipped with small, dark glands ; petiole ^4 inch long, 
with 2-5 small, reniform, greenish-yellow, red-tipped 
glands. Blossoms midseason, IVi inches across, pale 
pink. Fruit very late ; small, round-oval, compressed, 
prominently bulged near the apex ; cavity deep, narrow, 
abrupt, marked with narrow, radiating stripes of pale 
red : suture shallow, becoming deeper toward the apex ; 
apex depressed, with a small, recurved, raamelon tip : 
color greenish-white and pale yellow, lifhtly washed 
with pink which changes to dull brown ; pubescence 
thick, short, fine ; skin thin, tender, sweet, with some 
astringency ; poor in quality ; stone clinging, long-oval, 
very plump, tapering to a short, blunt point at the 
apex, with grooved surfaces. 

BOKHARA. Remarkable for great hardi- 
ness, Bokhara has little else to recommend it. 
The variety is grown only in the northern 
states of the great central plains, where, often, 
it is the only peach to withstand the cold 
climate. It was introduced by the late J. L. 
Budd from pits received from Bokhara, Russia, 
about 1890. It seems certain that there are 
several distinct peaches grown under this name, 
probably all from the pits planted by Professor 
Budd. 

Tree large, spreading, very hardy ; leaves numerous, 
thin, leathery ; margins dark red and glandular, finely 
serrate ; glands reniform. Flowers appear in midseason, 
medium in size, pink. Fruit midseason, of medium 
size, oblong-oval, bulging near the apex, making the 
halves unequal ; suture shallow ; apex with prolonged 
tip ; skin thin, tender, with a thick, short pubescence, 
greenish-yellow, pale, faintly blushed and striped with 
dull red ; flesh greenish-white, stringy, dry, sweet ; 
<juality poor ; stone small, oval, nearly free, conspicuously 
winged. 

BRACKETT. Brackett seems to have es- 
tablished a place for itself in parts of the 
South, but is still on trial in other peach- 
growing sections of the country. Its chief 
value is that the crop ripens just after that of 
Elberta when a yellow freestone peach is much 



needed. Brackett is said to be a cross between 
Smock and Chinese Cling, and was introduced 
by the P. J. Berckmans Company, Augusta, 
Georgia, in 1912. 

Tree large, vigorous, productive, similar to that of 
Chinese Cling. Fruit late midseason, large to very large, 
oblong ; suture shallow, ending in a sharp apex ; color 
orange-yellow washed with red and mottled with deep 
carmine with a very dark carmine cheek ; flesh deep 
yellow, juicy, large, sweet ; quality good to very good ; 
pit of medium size, free. 

BRIGDON. Garfield. Brigdon belongs 
with the Crawfords, aristocrats among peaches, 
and this is enough to give it standing in a 
home collection at least. In tree and fruit it 
is similar to Early Crawford, is a worthy 
rival, and has the same two faults to bar it from 
commercial plantations — the trees are capricious 
as to soils and are often unproductive. On the 
other hand, a character of the tree to commend 
it to the amateur is that it is one of the least 
susceptible to leaf-curl. The variety is well 
known only in western New York. Brigdon 
originated about 1880 in Cayuga County, New 
York. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, unproductive. Leaves 5% inches long, 1*/^ inches 
wide, folded upward, oval to obovate-lanceolate, thin ; 
margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with dark glands ; 
petiole ^. inch long, glandless or with 1-4 small, globose, 
greenish-yellow glands. Blossoms midseason, pale pink, 
1 inch across. Fruit midseason; 2% inches in diameter, 
round-oval, compressed, bulged beak-like near the apex ; 
cavity deep, medium to wide, abrupt or flaring, often 
colored with red ; suture shallow ; apex round with a 
pointed or recurved, mamelon tip ; color greenish -yellow 
changing to pale orange-yellow, speckled and splashed 
with dull red which often extends over nearly the whole 
surface ; pubescence long, thick, woolly ; skin thin, some- 
what tough, separates from the pulp only when fully 
ripe ; flesh yellow, juicy, coarse, firm, tender, sweet, mild, 
pleasantly flavored ; very good in quality ; stone semi-free 
to free, oval, bulged on one side, with a rather long 
and slightly curved point, with pitted and grooved 
surfaces. 



BRIGGS. Briggs Red May. Briggs is a 
standard early peach in California, ripening 
earliest of all market sorts in that state. The 
chief fault is in the trees, which lack vigor 
and are very subject to mildew. The variety 
seems not to be known in any of the peach 
regions east of the Pacific states. It originated 
about 1870 as a chance seedling on the farm 
of J. G. Briggs, Yuba City, California. 

Tree vigorous, round-topped, somewhat spreading ; 
foliage subject to mildew. Fruit very early ; medium 
or rath small, round or round-oblong ; skin white 
with a rich red cheek ; flesh greenish-white, melting, 
juicy, sweet ; quality fair to good ; stone rather small, 
nearly free. 

BURKE. The fruits of Burke are the larg- 
est and showiest of all clingstones as grown 
in the Gulf states, where the variety is at 
home, the peach having originated at Avoyelles, 
Louisiana, sometime previous to 1886. Burke 
is not worth growmg in the North, as the fruits 
drop badly and lack both color and quality; 
the trees seem to be hardy, however, and the 
fruit usually ripens. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, rather unproductive ; leaves 
large, reniform glands ; flowers appear midseason. large. 
Fruit midseason, large, oblong-oval, halves unequal, sides 



CANADA 



CARMAN 



165 



drawn up about the cavity ; apex with mucronate tip ; 
skin thick, tough, covered with thick coarse pubescence, 
creamy-yellow with slight blush of lively red ; flesh 
white, stained at the pit, firm, juicy and tender ; quality 
fair to good ; stone clinging, oval, pointed at the end, 
plump on one side. 

CANADA. Early Canada. Since its intro- 
duction about 1890, Canada has been a stand- 
ard early peach in the northern states and more 
particularly in the peach-growing region along 
Lake Ontario in Canada, where it originated. 
The variety has few characters to commend it, 
excepting earlmess and hardiness, though the 
trees are often loaded with fruit. The peaches 
are small but attractive in color, which is 
bright red on a hght background. The fruits 
are about the poorest of all peaches in flavor, 
but are firm and ship well for a white-fleshed 
peach, making a better commercial variety than 
its rival, Alexander; they are less susceptible 
to rot than those of Alexander, and the flesh 
does not cling so tightly. The variety origi- 
nated as a chance seedling more than a quarter- 
century ago with A. H. High, Jordan, Ontario. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, open-topped, hardy, pro- 
ductive. Leaves folde*] upward. 6 inches long, 1 % 
inches wide, oval to ohovate-lanceolate ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
% inch long, with from 1-4 small, globose, greenish- 
yellow glands. Blossoms midseason, dark pink at the 
center, bordered with lighter pink, 1^ inches across. 
Fruit very early; 2^A inches in diameter, round-oblate, 
compressed, with unequal sides ; cavity wide, flaring ; 
suture shallow to deep ; apex ending in a mucronate, 
recurved tip ; color creamy- white, blushed with red and 
mottled and splashed with darker red ; pubescence short, 
thick ; skin thin, tender, separates from the pulp ; flesh 
white, juicy, fine-grrained, meaty but tender, sweet yet 
sprightly ; fair in quality ; stone semi-clinging, round- 
oval, plump, abruptly pointed, with small grooves in 
the surfaces. 

CAPTAIN EDE. Fig. 155. Ede. Captain 
Ede has been under cultivation many years, 
but only recently has come into prominence, 
seeming now to find favor quite generally as 
a money-making peach. The trees are vig- 




155. Captain Ede. (X%) 

orous, heavy bearers; and the crop is uniform 
and always fair, smooth, without culls, ships 
well, and is in demand in the markets either 
for dessert or culmary purposes. The peaches 
are beautiful, and have a rich flavor, with a 
distinct smack of the almond. Captain Ede 
ripens with Early Crawford, a week or ten days 
before Elberta. The tree can hardly be dis- 
tinguished from that of Elberta. The variety 



originated in 1870 as a seedling in the door- 
yard of Captain Henry Ede, Cobden, Illinois. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, not 
alwaj's productive. Leaves 5% inches long, IVz inches 
wide, folded upward, oval to obovate-lanceolate ; margin 
finely serrate ; teeth tipped with dark red glands ; petiole 
% inch long, with 2-6 reniform, greenish-yellow glands. 
Blossoms very late, % inch across, dark pink. Fruit 
midseason; about 2^ inches in diameter, round-cordate, 
compressed, bulged near the apex ; cavity wide, abrupt 
or flaring, often tinged with red and with tender skin ; 
suture extending more than half-way around ; apex 
round, with a prolonged, recurved, mamelon tip ; color 
orange-yellow, with specks and splashes of red, blushed 
with darker red ; pubescence thick, short, variable in 
coarseness ; skin tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, stained red at the pit, dry, stringy, tender, 
meaty, strongly aromatic, pleasantly flavored ; good in 
quality ; stone free, oval, bulged along the ventral 
suture with pitted surfaces. 

CARMAN. Fig. 156. Among many white- 
fleshed peaches, few hold a more conspicuous 
place than Carman. Its chief asset is a con- 
stitution which enables it to withstand trj'ing 
climates. North and South, and to accommo- 
date itself to a great variety of soils. While 




156. Carman. (XV2) 

of but medium size, the peaches are most 
pleasing in appearance ; the color is a brilliant 
red splashed with darker red on a creamy- 
white background; the shape is nearly round, 
and its trimness and symmetry make the 
peach, especially when packed in box or basket, 
one scarcely surpassed in attractiveness of 
form. The quality is rated as very good for 
a peach of its season, although a smack of 
bitterness in its mild, sweet flavor condemns 
it for some. The habit of growth is excellent; 
peaches are borne abundantly; brown-rot takes 
comparatively little toll ; and in tree or bud 
the variety is remarkably hardy. Carman grew 
from a seed planted in 1889 by J. W. Stuben- 
rauch, Mexia, Texas. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, hardy, 

very productive. Leaves 5% inches long, 1% inches 
wide, oval to obovate-lanceolate ; margin finely serrate ; 
teeth tipped with dark red glands ; petiole Vt inch long, 
with 3-5 reniform glands. Blossoms midseason ; flowers 
1% inches across, pink; pedicels short, glabrous, pale 
green. Fruit early; 214 inches in diameter, round-oval, 
compressed, with unequal sides, bulged near the apex ; 
cavity flaring, tinged with pink and with tender skin ; 
suture shallow, becoming deeper at the cavity ; apex 
round or depressed, with a somewhat pointed or mu- 
cronate tip ; color creamy-white more or less overspread 
with light red. with splashes of darker red ; pubescence 
very thick, short ; skin thin, tough, adherent to the 
pulp ; flesh white, red at the pit. juicy, tender, sweet, 
mild, pleasant ; very good in quality ; stone nearly 
free, plump, with thickly-pitted surfaces. 



166 



CHAIRS 



CHINESE CLING 



CHAIRS. Chair's Choice. Chairs is a se- 
lect fruit in the Crawford group, in its turn 
the most select of the several groups of 
peaches. The variety was at one time a 
standard late, yellow-fieshed, freestone, market 
peach, competing in popularity with Late 
Crawford, over which it often held ascendency 
because less subject to brown-rot. The coming 
of the Elberta type has driven the Crawford 
group from the markets, and Chairs is now 
known only in collections where it will be long 
treasured for its delectable fruits. Unproduc- 
tiveness and capriciousness in soil and climate, 
faults of all Crawford-like peaches, are marked 
in Chairs. The variety originated about 1880 
in the orchard of Franklin Chairs, Anne Arun- 
del County, Maryland. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, unpro- 
ductive ; trunk stocky. Leaves 5% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, oval to obovate-lanceolate, thin ; margin 
coarsely serrate, often in 2 series ; teeth tipped with 
reddisii-brown glands ; petiole % inch long, with 2-6 
small, globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers late, 
dark pink fading toward the whitish centers, % inch 
across. Fruit late midseason ; 2% inches in diameter, 
round-oval, irregular, bulged beak-like along one side 
toward the apex, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity 
deep, wide, flaring ; suture shallow, deepening toward 
the apex and extending slightly beyond ; apex roundish, 
with a small, recurved, mamelon tip ; color golden- 
yellow, blushed and splashed with dull red ; pubescence 
short, fine ; skin thin, tough, free ; flesh yellow, faintly 
stained with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, tender, 
subacid or sprightly, pleasantly flavored ; very good in 
quality ; stone free, large, broadly oval, bulged along 
one side, plump, with surfaces deeply pitted and with 
short grooves. 

CHAMPION. Fig. 157. Champion is 
rightly used as the standard to gauge the 
quality of all other white-fleshed peaches. The 
fruits are nearly as attractive to the eye as to 
the palate ; but, unfortunately, run small and 
off-color in all but choicely good soils. The 




157. Champion. (XVa) 

peaches are not only very good in the char- 
acters that make up quality — tender flesh, 
juiciness, pleasant flavor — but also have a pe- 
culiar honeyed flavor which gives individuality. 
The tree is almost perfect, few other varieties 
surpassing it in height and girth, and none 
equalling it in the quantity and the luxurious 
green of its foliage. A Champion tree is 
known by its foliage as far as the e}'e can 
distinguish color. As would be expected from 
the tree-characters given. Champion rejoices 
in vigor and health as do few other varieties. 
The variety surpasses most of its orchard- 



associates in productiveness, but the peaches 
are inviting prey to brown-rot; and the trees 
are sometime defoliated with leaf-curl ; so that, 
with capriciousness as to soils, it has grave 
faults as a commercial variety. The original 
seed was planted about 1880 by I. G. Hubbard, 
Nokomis, Illinois, and the variety was intro- 
duced in 1890. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, very 
productive. Leaves .5^ inches long, 1^^ inches wide, 
oval to obovate-lanceolate ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with dark red glands ; petiole V^ inch long, with 
2-5 small, globose, greenish-yellow glands. Blossoms 
midseason, pink, less than 1 inch across. Fruit mid- 
season, 2^ inches in diameter, round-oval, truncate, 
with halves usually equal ; cavity shallow, narrow 
flaring, contracted ; suture shallow ; apes rounded, with 
a recun-ed tip ; color pale creamy-white, with splashes 
of carmine mingled with a blush of darker red ; pubes- 
cence short, thick ; skin tough, adherent to the pulp ; 
flesh white, red at the pit, very juicy, tender, sweet, 
pleasantly flavored ; very good ; stone semi-free to free, 
oval, long-pointed, with deeply grooved surfaces. 

CHILI. Hills Chili. Chili, long familiar 
to the older generation of peach-growers as 
Hill's Chili, is now waning in popularity, after 
having been for nearly a century one of the 
mainstays of commercial orchards the country 
over. The fruits were notable for culinary 
purposes, being especially desirable for canning 
and curing because of firm, dry, well-flavored 
flesh ; and, besides, the crop ripened late in 
the season, when cool weather gave good stor- 
age conditions and made culinary work agree- 
able to housewives. The peaches are not 
attractive in size, color, or shape; are too dry 
of flesh to eat with pleasure out of hand; 
and are made less agreeable to sight and taste 
by pubescence so heavy as to be woolly. The 
trees of Chili are about all that could be 
desired; for, while of but medium size, they 
are vigorous, very hardy, long-lived, and an- 
nually fruitful. Chili came into cultivation 
early in the nineteenth century, when the 
first tree appeared in the orchard of Pitman 
Wilcox, Chili, New York. 

Tree medium in size, compact, vigorous, upright- 
spreading, hardy, productive. Leaves folded upward 
and recurved, 6 inches long, 1^ inches wide, long-oval, 
thin ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole ^i. inch long, with 2-7 small, 
usually reniform, reddish-brown glands. Blossoms mid- 
season, pink, 1 ^ inches across. Fruit late ; 2 V2 inches 
in diameter, oblong-conic, angular, compressed, with 
unequal halves ; cavity uneven, shallow, contracted, 
flaring, the skin tender and tearing easily ; suture shal- 
low, extending beyond the apex ; apex poinced ; color 
orange-yellow, with a dark red blush, splashed and 
mottled with red ; pubescence long, thick, coarse ; skin 
thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh red at the 
pit, yellow, dry, stringy, firm but tender, mild, sprightly ; 
good ; stone free, flattened at the base, obovate, winged, 
usually without bulge, long-pointed at the apex with 
pitted surfaces. 

CHINESE CLING. ChiTiese Peach. 
Shanghai. Chinese Cling holds a high place 
in the esteem of American pomologists for its 
intrinsic value, because it was the first peach 
in one of the main stems of the peach-family 
to come to America, and because it is the 
parent of a great number of the best white- 
fleshed peaches grown in this country. The 
variety is not now remarkable for either fruit- 
or tree-characters, being surpassed in both by 



CHINESE FREE 



CROSBY 



167 



many of its offspring, except, possibly in qual- 
ity. The flavor is delicious, being finely bal- 
anced between sweetness and sourness, with 
sweet predominating, and with a most distinct, 
curious, and pleasant taste of the almond. 
The fruits are too tender for shipment and 
very subject to brown-rot. The trees are 
weak-growers, shy-bearers, tender to cold, and 
susceptible to leaf-curl. Chinese Cling was 
imported in 1850 by Charles DowTiing from 
Shanghai, China. 

Tree weak in growth, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
not very hardy, medium in productiveness. Leaves 7"^ 
inches long. 2 inches wide, broad oval-lanceolate, thick, 
leathery ; margin coarsely crenate to finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with dark red glands ; petiole ^ inch long, with 
2-5 reniform, greenish -yellow, dark-tipped glands. Blos- 
soms midseason, pink, 1^ inches across. Fruit late; 2V^ 
inches in diameter, round-oval, compressed ; cavity deep, 
contracted, narrow, abrupt, faintly tinged with red ; 
suture deep, extending beyond the apex ; apex round 
or iiattened, with a mucronate tip ; color greenish-white 
changing to creamy- white, blushed on one side with 
lively red, splashed and marbled with duller red ; 
pubescence thick ; skin tough, adhering to the pulp ; 
flesh white, tinged with red near the pit, juicy, meaty, 
tender, sweet but sprightly, aromatic; good in quality; 
stone clinging, oval, conspicuously winged, bulged on 
one side, with pitted surfaces. 

CHINESE FREE. Leaves, flowers, and 
fruits of Chinese Free are all smaller than 
those of Chinese Cling, the quality of the 
fruit is not nearly so good, while the tree 
runs a little better in most characters. The 
variety is surpassed by many other white- 
fleshed peaches of its season for both home 
and market. Chinese Free grew from a seed 
of Chinese Cling in the orchard of W. P. 
Robinson, Atlanta, Georgia, about 1880. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, open-topped, neither very 
hardy nor very productive. Leaves 5% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, oval-lanceolate ; mai^in finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with dark red glands ; petiole ^ inch long, with 
2-6 large, reniform, greenish-yellow, dark-tipped glands. 
Flowers early, pale pink, darker along the edges, 1^ 
inches across, often in twos. Fruit midseason, 2% inches 
in diameter, round-oval, bulged at one side, compressed, 
with unequal halves ; cavity narrow, abrupt, tinged with 
red ; suture shallow ; apex rounded or pointed, with 
a mucronate tip ; color greenish- white changing to 
creamy-white, blushed with red, mottled and striped 
with darker red ; pubescence very short, thin ; skin thin, 
tough ; flesh greenish-white, stained with red at the 
pit, juicy, tender, melting, subacid, sprightly ; good in 
quality ; stone free, oval, plump, abruptly pointed, with 
pitted surfaces. 




tractive and the variety is a commercial sort. 
In the North, the peaches are small, unattrac- 
tive in color, drop badly, are disfigured by 
peach-scab, and have only honeyed sweetness 
to recommend them. Climax is a seedling of 
Honey, but neither the date of origin nor the 
name of the originator is known. The variety 
was introduced bv G. L. Taber, Glen Saint 
Mary, Florida, in 1886. 

Tree small, vigorous, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
dense, productive. Leaves 6 inches long, IVz inches 
wide, flattened, lanceolate, thin. leathery ; margin bluntly 
serrate; teeth glandular; petiole ^ inch long, slender, 
glandless or with 1-4 small, reniform glands usually at 
the base of the leaf. Flowers late, pale pink, 1 inch 
across. Fruit midseason. 2 % inches in diameter, oval, 
slightly compressed, with unequal sides ; cavity shallow, 
flaring, splashed with red ; suture shallow ; apex conic, 
with a long, swollen often recuired tip ; color creamy- 
white, occasionally with a blush or faint niott lings of 
red toward the base ; pubescence short, thick ; skin thin, 
adherent to the pulp ; flesh white, stained with red 
near the pit, juicy, stringy, melting, very sweet, mild ; 
very good in quality ; stone semi-free to free, oval, 
plump, bulged on one side, long-pointed at the apex, 
with pitted and grooved, reddish-brown surfaces. 

CONNETT. Connett Early. This variety 
is a seedling of the old Chinese Cling, which 
it much resembles. At its best, the peaches 
are about the most delicately colored of all 
growm. They are remarkable also for their 
small stones, which cling little or not at all. 
The tree is hardy and vigorous in the North, 
but is a shy bearer, for which reason it is 
little grown. In parts of the South, it is a 
rather general favorite and perhaps would be 
listed as a commercial sort, if it did not ripen 
with the better known Carman. Connett 
originated with Rev. Alfred Connett, McLeans- 
ville, North Carolina, about 1880. 

Tree very vigorous, large, round-topped, willowy in 
growth, productive in the South but a shy bearer in the 
North ; leaves with reniform glands. Flowers midseason, 
large. Fruit early, ripening with Carman, medium or 
large, round-oval ; suture shallow ; skin thin, tough, 
creamy-yellow, slightly blushed with dark red ; flesh 
white, stained with red at the pit, short, stringy, sweet, 
juicy ; quality fair to good ; stone free, smaJJ, oval, 
pointed at the ends. 




158. Climax. (XVa) 

CLIMAX. Fig. 158. Climax is a honey- 
sweet, freestone peach adapted only to the 
far South, where the fruits are large and at- 



159. Crosby. {XV2) 

CROSBY. Fig. 159. Excelsior. Of the 
several virtues which entitle Crosby to the 
esteem of fruit-growers, possibly the most 
notable is hardiness in tree and bud so marked 
that it is often called the "frost-proof" peach 
Besides hardiness, the trees have to recom- 
mend them vigor, health, and productiveness. 



168 



EARLY CRAWFORD 



EARLY WHEELER 



The rich, j'ellow, freestone peach is delicious 
to the taste either as a dessert or as a cul- 
inary fruit. In these days of showy fruits, 
however, Crosby falls far short in appearance, 
as the peaches run small, are somewhat ir- 
regular, and are covered with dense tomentum. 
Still, at their best, in soils to which the tree 
is perfectly suited, the peaches are handsome. 
But there is another fault — the variety ac- 
commodates itself but poorly to trying soils 
and climates, failing especially in poor soils 
and dark climates. The tree is distinguished 
by its willowy gro\vth, small leaves, small flow- 
ers, and, as has been .said, by hardiness. Crosby 
was sent out about 1876 by a Mr. Crosby, 
Billerica, Massachusetts. 

Tree small, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, un- 
usually hardy, very productive. Leaves small and 
narrow, 5% inches long, 1^ inches wide, obovate- 
lanceolate, thin ; margin finely serrate or crenate ; teeth 
tipped with dark brownish-red glands ; petiole Vz inch 
long, with 2-7 rather small, reniform, greenish-yellow 
glands. Flowers midseason, pale pink, darker near the 
edges, 1 inch across. Fruit late ; 2% inches in diameter, 
round-oblate, compressed, bulged near the apex, with 
unequal sides ; cavity deep, flaring, sometimes splashed 
with red ; suture shallow ; apex rounded, with a sunken, 
mucronate tip ; color orange-yellow, often blushed over 
much of the surface with dull red, splashed and striped 
with darker red ; pubescence long, thick, coarse ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh deep yellow, 
stained with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, firm but 
tender, sweet, mild ; very good in quality ; stone free, 
oval, plump, bulged near the apex, with pitted and 
grooved surfaces. 

EARLY QRAWFORD. Fig. 160. Craio- 
ford's Early Mclocoton. Crawjord's Early. 
Unproductivene.ss and uncertainty in bearing 
keep Early Crawford from being the most 




160. Early Crawford. (XVa) 

commonly grown early, yellow-fleshed peach 
in America. In its season the fruit is unap- 
proachable in quality by that of any other 
variety. The peach has all of the characters 
that gratify the taste — richness of flavor, pleas- 
ant aroma, tender flesh, and abundant juice. 
In soils to which the variety is well adapted, 
the peach is large, often very large, round- 
oblong, slightly compressed; distinguished by 
its broad, deep cavity ; color rich red, splashed 
and mottled with darker red in the sun, golden 
yellow in the shade. The flesh is marbled 
yellow, rayed with red at the pit, and perfectly 
free from the stone. The trees are all that 
could be desired in health, vigor, size, and 
shape, but are unproductive, uncertain and 



tardy in bearing. Early Crawford, for at least 
a half-century, was the leading market peach 
of its season, but gave way finally to white- 
fleshed sorts of the Belle, Carman, and Greens- 
boro type. Though fast passing from commer- 
cial importance, the variety ought still to be 
grown in home plantations. Early Crawford 
came into existence in the orchard of William 
Crawford, Middletown, New Jersey, early in 
the nineteenth century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
unproductive. Leaves 6% inches long, IVz inches wide, 
recurved, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely 
serrate, often in two series ; teeth tipped with very 
small, reddish-brown glands ; petiole Vz inch long, gland- 
less or with l-r> small, globose, greenish-yellow glands. 
Flowers midseason, pale pink, 1 inch across. Fruit early 
midseason, 21^ inches in diameter, round-oval, bulged 
near the apex, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity 
deep, wide, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex often with a 
swollen, elongated tip ; color golden-yellow, blushed with 
dark red, splashed and mottled with deeper red ; pubes- 
cence thick ; skin separates from the pulp ; flesh deep 
yellow, rayed with red near the pit, juicy, tender, 
pleasantly sprightly, highly flavored ; very good in 
qualit.v ; stone free, oval or ovate, bulged along one side, 
medium plump, with small, shallow pits in the surfaces, 

EARLY ELBERTA. Several nurserymen 
have introduced strains of Elberta earlier or 
later than the typical variety. Most of these 
prove to dither not a whit from the standard 
Elberta. From the numerous introductions 
of this kind, it may be suspected that occa- 
sionally Elberta, because of some local condi- 
tion, ripens its fruit prematurely or that ripen- 
ing is sometimes delayed. When removed 
from the particular environment, ripening time 
seems to occur normally. Nevertheless, there 
is at least one early strain of Elberta distinct 
from the standard variety, differing but little 
from the parent except in season. The strain 
originated with Dr. Sumner Gleason, Kaysville, 
Utah, and was introduced by Stark Brothers, 
Louisiana, Missouri, about 1908. The variety 
seems to have found a place in the peach sec- 
tions of the Rocky Mountains and in the South- 
west, but as j'et is little grown in the East. 
It ripens ten days to two weeks earlier than 
Elberta. The peaches differ from those of 
the true Elberta in other qualities than earli- 
ness, in being rounder, with more of an over- 
blush of red, a little freer from fuzz, and, 
according to most growers, a little better in 
quality, — at any rate being sweeter. Unfor- 
tunately, trees of Elberta have rather fre- 
quently been substituted for those of Early 
Elberta. 

EARLY WHEELER. Wheeler Cling. 
Early Wheeler is rated by some peach-growers 
as one of the most profitable peaches grown in 
Texas and other southern states. The peaches 
are very showy and attract attention on the 
market, and, while not of the best quality, 
are very good. T|he variety seems not to have 
been tried in the North except at one or two 
of the experiment stations, where the trees 
are reported as shy bearers. Early Wheeler 
is one of the large number of Heath Cling 
seedlings grown by E. W. Kirkpatrick, Mc- 
Kiimey, Texas, about 1900. 



EDGEMONT 



ELBERTA CLING 



169 



Tree large, upright-spreading:, hardy, healthy, produc- 
tive in the South but only moderately so in the North ; 
glands reniform. Flowers very large, tinted with pink, 
midseason. Fruit verv- early, medium to large, round- 
oblong to oblong-conic ; cavity large, broad, mottled 
with red ; stem short, stout ; apex protruding ; suture 
shallow except near the cavity ; skin thick, tough, 
heavily pubescent ; creamy-white, mottled and splashed 
with crimson ; flesh white stained with red near the 
skin, firm, meaty, juicy, subacid ; quality good to very 
good : stone of medium size, clinging, oval. 

EDGEMONT. Fig. 161. Edgemont 
Beauty. In fruit, Edgemont is not easily dis- 
tinguished from Late Crawford, the essential 
differences being that the fruits of Edgemont 
are more rotund than those of Late Crawford, 
and the flavor is a little more acid. The trees 
differ in the greater productiveness of Edge- 
mont and in a little later maturity of the crop. 
Of the score or more peaches of the Crawford 
type, Edgemont is distinctly superior to all. 
Compared with Elberta, with which it must 
compete in the markets, it is several days 
later, juicier, and less fibrous, and much excels 
that variety in quality; and, moreover, though 



cosmopolite of cultivated peaches. Thus, El- 
berta is grown with profit in every peach- 
growing state in the LTnion, and in nearly all 
is grown in greater quantities than any other 
market peach. The second character which 




161. Edgemont. iXVz) 

the individual peaches are not quite so large, 
the yield of fruit is even greater. If Edge- 
mont proves adapted to as wide a range of 
climates and soils as Elberta, it is a new com- 
mercial peach of great value. Whether it 
succeeds in commerce or not, Edgemont is 
well worth planting in home orchards by virtue 
of the exceptionally high quality and attractive 
appearance of the fruit. Edgemont was intro- 
duced by the Miller Orchard Company, Edge- 
mont, Maryland, in 1902. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, productive. 
Leaves large, obovate, thick ; margin crenate ; glands 
globose. Flowers midseason, small, dark pink, single. 
Fruit late midseason ; large, irregular, round-ovate, 
truncate at the base, with unequal halves ; cavity deep, 
narrow, regular, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex mu- 
cronate ; color light yellow or orange-yellow, with a 
bronze blush often deepening to a carmine blush ; pubes- 
cence short, thick ; skin thick, tough, separates from 
the pulp ; flesh yellow, stained at the pit, very juicy, 
slightly coarse and stringy, meaty, mild subacid or 
sprightly ; very good in quality ; stone free, large, oval, 
plump, pointed, with corrugated surfaces. 

ELBERTA. Fig. 162. Elberta leads all 
other peaches in America in number of trees. 
It is, too, the most popular of all peaches in 
the markets. The preeminently meritorious 
character of Elberta is its freedom from local 
prejudices of either soil or climate — it is the 




162. Elberta. (XVz) 



commends Elberta to those in the business of 
peach-growing is fruitfulness: barring f'-osts or 
freezes, the trees load themselves with fruit 
year in and year out. Added to these two 
great points of superiority are ability to with- 
stand the ravages of both insects and fungi, 
large size, vigor, early bearing, and longevity 
in tree ; and large, handsome, well-flavored 
fruits which ship and keep remarkably well. 
Elberta, however, is not without faults and 
serious ones. The trees are not so hardy in 
either wood or blossoms as might be wished. 
The peaches fall short in quality; they lack 
the richness of the Crawfords and the sweet- 
ness of the white-fleshed Champion type. 
Moreover, the pronounced bitter tang, even 
when the peaches are fully ripe, is disagreeable 
to some. The stone is large but usually wholly 
free from the flesh. With these faults, the 
dominance of Elberta is not wholly desirable, 
as growers are satisfied with the one variety, 
and consumers are forced to put up with a 
peach none too high in quality. Elberta was 
grown by Samuel Rumph, Marshallville, 
Georgia, from a seed of Chinese Cling planted 
in the fall of 1870. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves G% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, oval to obovate-lanceolate ; margin serrate, 
often in 2 series ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown 
glands ; petiole V^ inch long, with 1-6 reniform, greenish- 
yellow glands. Flowers midseason, light pink near the 
center, darker toward the edges, 1 ^ inches across. Fruit 
midseason, 2% inches long, 2Vi inches wide, round- 
oblong or cordate, compressed, usually with a slight 
bulge at one side ; cavity deep, flaring, often mottled 
with red ; suture shallow, deepening toward the apex ; 
apex rounded, with a mamelon or pointed tip ; color 
greenish-yellow changing to orange-yellow, from %~% 
overspread with red and with much mottling extending 
sometimes over nearly the entire surface ; pubescence 
thick and coarse ; skin thick, tough, separates from the 
pulp : flesh yellow, stained with red near the pit, juicy, 
stringy, firm but tender, sweet to subacid, mild ; good 
in quality ; stone free, broadly ovate, varying from flat 
to plump, sharp-pointed, decidedly bulged on one side 
witli pitted surfaces. 

ELBERTA CLING. Elberta Cling was in- 
troduced as identical with Elberta in growth of 



170 



ENGLE 



FITZGERALD 



tree and appearance of fruit, the peaches differ- 
ing in being clingstones. The fruit was siip- 
posed to be superior in quality to that of the 
typical Elberta, and was said to be better 
suited for canning. As grown at the New York 
Agricultural Experiment Station, however, the 
peaches do not resemble Elberta very closely 
in either shape or color, nor are they equal to 
the fruits of Elberta in quality. The variety 
was first mentioned in a report of the Illinois 
Horticultural Society in 1904. 

Tree vigorous, upright, productive ; glands usually 
reniform. Fruit midseason, large, 2H inclies wide, 2^ 
inches long, round-oblate, halves unequal, bulged near 
the apex ; suture deepens toward the apex which is 
-roundish ; skin rich yellow with an attractive blusli of 
deep red ; flesh yellow tinged red about the stone, juicy, 
firm, piquant but not rich ; quality fair to good ; stone 
ratlier large, clinging. 

ENGLE. Engle's Mammoth. Engle is al- 
most a counterpart of the well-known Late 
Crawford, from which it differs essentially in 
earlier ripening of fruit and more productive 
trees. Before Elberta became the vogue, Engle 
stood high in the esteem of commercial plant- 
ers, but the coming of Elberta stopped its 
career. There seems little doubt that Engle is 
more productive than either of the two Craw- 
fords, and for those who want the best it is as 
good as any of this group. One of the faults 
of the two Crawfords is that the trees are 
tardy in coming in bearing; Engle is said to 
bear younger. This variety was grown about 
1875 by C. C. Engle, Paw Paw, Michigan. 

Tree very large, upright, becoming spreading, tall, 
hardy, medium in productiveness. Leaves 6'■^ inches 
long, 1^ inches wide, irregularly curled, obovate- 
lanceolate, thin ; petiole ^ inch long, with 1-4 small, 
globose, greenish-yellow glands. Blossoms midseason, 
light pink at the center, dark red near the edges, 1% 
inches across. Fruit midseason ; 2 inches long, 2 ^^ 
inches wide, round-oval, becoming almost oblate in some 
specimens, bulged near the apex, compressed, with 
unequal sides ; cavity flaring ; suture shallow, deepening 
toward the apex ; apex variable in shape ; color greenisli- 
yellow changing to orange-yellow, splashed with red ; 
pubescence short, thick, fine ; skin thin, tough, separates 
readily from the pulp ; flesh pale yellow, stained with 
red near the pit, juicy, tender and melting, sweet or 
pleasantly subacid, mild ; good in quality ; stone free, 
ovate, bulged on one side, plump, with pitted surfaces. 

EUREKA. In the South, where Eureka 
originated, the variety seems to have a very 
good reputation as an early, white-fleshed, 
semi-free peach. In the North, the variety 
ripens early, when there are many other good 
peaches of its type, and it is therefore doubtful 
whether it will ever have a prominent place in 
northern peach-growing regions. One quality 
in particular marks Eureka as worthy of more 
attention than it now receives — the peaches 
are e.xceptionally uniform in size. Though 
long grown. Eureka deserves further trial. It 
is a seedling of Chinese Cling, found about 
1870 in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. 

Tree above medium in size, upright-spreading, round- 
topped, very productive. Leaves .5 inches long, lyic 
inches wide, folded upward, variable in shape, leathery ; 
margin coarsely serrate, glandular ; petiole ^e inch 
long, with 2-6 large, reniform glands. Blossoms early, 
1% inches across, pink. Fruit early; 2^ inches in 
diameter, round-oval, bulged on one side, compressed, 
with unequal halves ; cavity shallow, abrupt ; suture 



shallow, deepening at the apex ; apex rounded, with 
mucronate tip ; color greenish-white or creamy-white, 
often with a distinct, bright red blush overspreading 
one-third of the surface, with faint mottlings ; put)e3- 
cence fine, thick, short : skin thin, tender, separates 
from the pulp ; flesh white, tender and melting, very 
juicy, pleasantly flavored, good ; stone free, oval, tapering 
to a long point, with corrugated and deeply pitted sur- 
faces. 

FAMILY FAVORITE. Family Favorite 
is one of the well-known peaches in the south- 
central states, but in most respects falls short 
of Champion, with which it must compete in 
the North. The tree is doubtfully hardy, and 
the fruit scabs badly. The variety has two 
characters to commend it and to give it stand- 
ing among commercial peaches. Compared 
with that of Champion, the fruit stands ship- 
ment much better, and when brown-rot is rife, 
does not suffer nearly so much. In selected 
locations where a midseason, white-fleshed 
peach is wanted, this variety is worth trying. 
Family Favorite was raised by William H. 
Locke, Bonham, Texas. The date of its origin 
is unknown. 

Tree of medium size, spreading, inclined to droop, 
open-topped, productive. Leaves folded upward, 6 inches 
long, 1^/^ inches wide, ovate-lanceolate; margin finely 
serrate, often in 2 series ; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole Yz inch long, with 1-4 small, 
globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers early, light 
pink at the center, darker along the edges, 1 inch across. 
Fruit midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, round-oval, 
bulged near the apex, compressed, with unequal sides ; 
cavity contracted, narrow, abrupt ; suture a line, deep- 
ening toward the apex ; apex rounded, with a small, 
mucronate tip set in a depression ; color creamy-white, 
with a few splashes of red showing through a dull and 
mottled blush ; pubescence short, thin : skin thin, tough ; 
flesh greenish-white, strongly stained with red at the 
pit, very juicy, tender and melting, sweet or subacid, 
aromatic ; good in quality ; stone semi-free to free, 
tinged with red, flattened near the base, elliptical, plump, 
winged on one side, with rougbish and usually pitted 
surfaces. 

FITZGERALD. Fitzgerald and Early 
Crawford are almost identical in fruit and 
foliage. There could be no use in growing 
Fitzgerald, so similar is it to the better-known 
Early Crawford, were it not for the fact that 
the fruit is earlier by a few days, and that, 
possibly, Fitzgerald is the more productive of 
the two. Canadian peach-growers claim that 
Fitzgerald, besides being more productive and 
extending the season of Early Crawford, is 
hardier. In the effort to maintain peaches of 
the Crawford family in commercial planta- 
tions, it may be worth while to try Fitzgerald. 
It originated about 1890 at Oakville, Ontario, 
but who the originator or what the parentage 
is not known. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
hardy, not very productive. Leaves 6 inches long, 1^ 
inches wide, obovate-lanceolate ; margin finely serrate ; 
teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^^ inch 
long, glandless or with 1-5 small, globose, greenish- 
3'ellow glands. Flowers midseason, pale pink varying 
to a deeper red along the edges, % inch across. Fruit 
midseason ; 2 V2 inches long, more than 2 ^ inches wide, 
round-oval, somewhat compressed with unequal halves, 
bulged at one side ; cavity medium to deep, wide, flaring, 
marked with radiating streaks ; suture shallow, deepen- 
ing toward the apex ; apex rounded, ending in a recurved, 
mamelon point ; color golden-yellow more or less over- 
spread with a dull red blush, with splashes and mot- 
tlings of deeper red ; pubescence long, thick ; skin thin, 
tough ; flesh yellow, rayed with red at the pit, juicy, 



FLORIDA GEM 



GENERAL LEE 



171 



firm, tender, sweet or mildly subacid, pleasantly flavored ; 
very good in quality ; stone free, ovate, plump, flattened 
near the base with pitted surfaces. 

FLORIDA GEM. Florida Gem is rated 
by peach-growers in Florida as one of the 
best seedlings of Honey for home and com- 
mercial purposes. Its ripening date is from 
a week to ten days earlier than Honey, the 
crops coming on the markets in Florida the 
first week in July. The peaches, besides being 
earlier, are firmer and ship rather better than 
those of its well-known parent. The variety 
seems to have been first described in a report 
to the Florida Station in 1896, but when, where, 
and by whom originated does not appear. The 
fruit is described in southern catalogs as fol- 
lows : 

Fruit medium to large, round-oblong, pointed ; suture 
indistinct, often wanting ; apex conical, long, recur\ed ; 
skin fuzzy, thin, tough, pale yellow washed with deep 
red on the sunny side ; flesh firm, juicy, white, red at 
the stone, sweet, agreeable ; qxiality very good ; stone 
free, oval, red. 

FOSTER. Fig. 163. Foster is so s-milar 
to Late Crawford that even experienced grow- 
ers can hardly tell them apart. Those who 




163. Foster. (XVa) 

grow the two in the same orchard find the 
essential differences to be that Foster is a 
larger peach than Late Crawford, is more 
rotund, somewhat more flattened at the base, is 
a little earlier, possibly handsomer, and is 
even of better quality; the trees of Foster, 
however, are hardly so productive as those of 
either of the two unproductive Crawfords. 
This unproductiveness is the fault that keeps 
the variety in the background as a commercial 
peach. The variety is worth planting in home 
orchards. Foster originated about 1857 with 
J. T. Foster, Medford, Massachusetts. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, 
variable in productiveness. Leaves 6 inches long, 1 % 
inches wide, folded upward, oval to obovate-lanceolate, 
leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with small 
glands ; petiole Vz inch long, with 1-4 small globose 
glands. Blossoms midseason. large, pale pink. Fruit 
midseason ; 2^^ inches in diameter, round-cordate, often 
bulged at one side, compressed, with unequal sides ; 
cavity deep, wide, abrupt, often splashed with red ; 
suture shallow, becoming deeper at both apex and 
cavity and extending slightly beyond the point ; apex 
rounded or pointed, with a recurved, mamelon or oc- 
casionally mucronate tip ; color deep yellow overspread 
■with dark red, with a few splashes or stripes of red ; 
pubescence long, thick ; skin thick, tough, separates 
from the pulp when fully ripe ; flesh deep yellow, faintly 



stained with red near the pit, juicy, coarse and stringy, 
firm but tender, sweet, mild, spicy ; very good in quality ; 
stone free, small, oval, pointed at the apex, pitted. 

FOX. Fox Seedling. This comparatively 
old sort seems to have taken on new life in 
all of the southern states, and is listed in sev- 
eral southern catalogs. It was placed in the 
fruit catalog of the American Pomological 
Society in 1891, dropped in 1897, and replaced 
in 1899. The variety originated in New Jersey 
sometime previous to 1890, but where and 
when does not appear. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, productive, hardy ; 
glands gloliose. Fruit late, medium to large, round, 
slightly compressed ; suture extending nearly around the 
fruit : skin creamy-white with red blush ; flesh white, 
red at the pit, mild, juicy, sweet with a rich vinous 
flavor ; quality very good ; stone oval, of mediuni size, 
free. 

FRANCES. The great desideratum of 
peach-growers is a good market variety to 
follow Elberta. Of a score or more advertised 
to fill this particular niche in peach-growing, 
Frances is one of the best. The fruits average 
as large as those of Elberta, or, at most, fall 
short of it but a trifle; they are handsomer 
than those of Elberta, having a richer back- 
ground of yellow and more brillianc.v in the 
red cheek; are more nearlj' round and more 
uniform in size and shape; the quality is much 
the same as that of Elberta, the difference in 
flavor, texture, and juiciness being in favor of 
Frances. But the chief right of Frances to 
a plac£ in pomology arises from the fact that 
it extends the Elberta season a few days or a 
week. All that is known of the history of 
Frances is that it came from Texas about 
1900. 

Tree very large, tall, upright, slightly spreading, 
hardy, productive. Leaves oval to obovate-lanceolate, 
large, thin, and leathery. Fruit late, season long; 2% 
inches long, 2^ inches through, round-oval, slighiiy 
oblique, halves unequal, bulged ut apex ; cavity medium 
in depth and width, slightly flaring ; suture shallow, 
deepening toward apex ; apex roundish ; color deep 
lemon-yellow, specked and widely splashed with dull red 
on a lively blush cheek ; dots small, numerous, rather 
conspicuous ; pubescence short, thin ; skin thin, tough, 
separating readily ; flesh yellow, red at stone, juicy, 
moderately coarse, tender, fibrous, pleasing subacid, rich, 
sweet, vinous ; good to very good ; stone free. 

GENERAL LEE. R. E. Lee. Lee. Gen- 
eral Lee is a white-fleshed clingstone, the fruit 
none too attractive and surpassed in quality 
by that of other varieties of its season. It is 
without value in the North. Southern growers 
say General Lee is an improved Chinese Cling, 
and as such well worth growing under some 
conditions. Tree and fruits are susceptible to 
browT3-rot. The variety, as its history shows, 
really belongs to eastern Asia, and thus arouses 
interest. General Lee originated with Judge 
Campbell, Pensacola, Florida, from pits 
brought from Japan in 1860. 

Tree very large, vigorous, spreading, unproductive. 
Leaves 6^ inches long. 1% inches wide, flat or folded 
downward, oval to obovate-lanceolate, thick. leather>' ; 
margin coarsely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole % inch long, with 1-4 large, 
reniform, reddish-brown glands. Blossoms midseason, 
1 % inches across, pink. Fruit midseason ; 2 ^4 inches in 
diameter, round-oval, compressed, with halves equal ; 



172 



GEORGE IV 



GOVERNOR HOGG 



cavity deep, medium to wide, contracted around the 
sides, flaring, often mottled with red ; suture medium 
to deep, extending beyond the tip ; apex mucronate, 
mamelon ; color greenish-white changing to creamy- 
white, with a dull or lively red blush in which are 
intermingled a few splashes of duller red ; pubescence 
coarse, long, thick ; skin thick, tough, clings to the 
pulp ; flesh white, stained with red near the pit, juicy, 
stringy, tender, sweet but sprightly, pleasantly flavored ; 
good in quality ; stone clinging, bulged on one side, 
broadly oval to ovate, flattened, short-pointed at the 
apex, with pitted surfaces. 

GEORGE IV. Once one of the mainstays 
of American peach-growing, George IV is now 
of but historical interest. It was one of the 
first named American peaches, and had the 
honor of being phiced on the recommended 
list of fruits at the first meeting, in 1848, of 
the National Convention of Fruit-Growers, an 
organization which became the American Po- 
mological Society. George IV is not worth 
planting now, and is described only that fruit- 
growers may note progress in the development 
of peaches. While little grown here, this old 
American peach is still widely grown in Europe. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves 7 inches long, 1^/^ inches wide, obovate- 
lanceolate, thick, leathery ; margin sharply serrate, red ; 
petiole \^ inch long, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose, 
reddish-brown glands. Flowers midseason, pale pink, 
with white centers and edged with darker pink, 1 inch 
across. Fruit midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, round- 
oblate, bulged near the apex ; oblique, with unequal 
sides ; cavity slightly contracted, deep, wide, abrupt, 
with tender skin ; suture shallow, becoming deeper at 
both apex and cavity and faintly showing beyond the 
tip ; apex rounded, with a mucronate tip ; color creamy- 
white, with a pink blush and mottlings of red ; pubes- 
cence short, thick, fine ; skin thin, tough, variable in 
adherence to the pulp ; flesh white, deeply tinged with 
red near the pit, juicy, stringy, tender, mild, pleasantly 
flavored; good in quality; stone semi-free, round-oval, 
very plump, flattened at the base, tapering to a short, 
rounded point, with grooved surfaces. 

GEORGE LATE. George Late is a white 
fleshed clingstone which has the reputation 
of being one of the most profitable of the late 
clings in the northern counties of California. 
The peaches ship well, are attractive in ap- 
pearance, and of very good quality. The va- 
riety originated near Sacramento, California, 
and was first described in a report of the Cali- 
fornia Board of Horticulture in 1891. The 
fruits are described as follows: 

Fruit late, large ; skin pale yellow striped and splashed 
with bright red ; flesh white stained with red at the pit ; 
stone small, clinging rather tenaciously. 

GLOBE. While rapidly passing from culti- 
vation. Globe is still mentioned in the catalogs 
of a few nurserymen. The fruit is seldom 
found on the markets, but is grown in some 
peach regions for home use. Globe is a chance 
seedling from Berks Center, Pennsylvania, and 
originated sometime previous to 1885. 

Tree rapid and vigorous grower, hardy, usually pro- 
ductive ; glands globose ; flowers small, pink, midseason. 
Fruit midseason, large, round-o\-al ; cavity broad ; skin 
yellow with red cheek ; flesh yellow, vinous, sprightly ; 
quality very good ; stone large, oval, plump, free. 

GOLD DROP. Fig. 164. Gold Drop, long 
a familiar peach in Michigan orchards, is not 
much grown elsewhere. The variety has sev- 
eral distinctive peculiarities which make it a 



pleasing variation. .Thus, its transparent, 
golden skin and flesh make it one of the hand- 
somest of all peaches; add to handsome ap- 
pearance a somewhat distinctive flavor — vi- 
nous, rich, refreshing — and the peach becomes 
very good, one that, were the size larger, 
would sell in any market. Gold Drop is fur- 
ther characterized by trees of great hardiness 
and remarkable productiveness. The variety 




164. Gold Drop. (XVa) 

is also about the least susceptible to brown-rot 
and leaf-curl. Earliness in coming in bearing 
is another admirable character. The trees are 
small, dainty in habit, with clean, fresh foliage, 
making the variety an attractive ornamental. 
All in all. Gold Drop is an ideal variety for 
the home garden, and has many good char- 
acters which can be used as stepping-stones in 
breeding peaches. It is an old sort believed 
to be another variety renamed. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves 5Vi inches long, 1^ 
inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with red along the edge ; petiole 
Vs inch long, with 2-9 large, reddish-brown or grayish, 
mixed glands on the leaf. Flowers early, pale pink, 1% 
inches across. Fruit late; 2V^ inches in diameter, 
round-oval, bulged at one side, with unequal halves ; 
cavity deep, abrupt, twig-marked ; suture very shallow ; 
apex rounded, with a mamelon tip ; color golden-yellow, 
with a dull blush on one side ; pubescence thick, coarse ; 
skin adhering to the pulp ; flesh pale yellow to the pit, 
pleasantly sprightly ; good in quality ; stone free, broadly 
ovate, bulged at one side, with a pointed apex and 
deeply grooved surfaces. 

GOVERNOR HOGG. Governor. Were 
it not that Governor Hogg must compete with 
the well-established Greensboro and Carman, it 
would be worth trying in commercial plantings. 
The fruit ripens a few days after that of Car- 
man, is larger and handsomer and as good in 
quality. In both appearance and quality, the 
peaches excel those of Greensboro, the size, 
shape and color being much the same, although 
the color in this variety runs more to soft tints 
of red. The flesh is firm, tender, and delicate, 
and the peaches ought to stand shipment well. 
Like all early, white-fleshed peaches. Governor 
Hogg is quite susceptible to leaf-curl and 
browTi-rot. The variety seems to have origi- 
nated with a Mr. McClung, Tyler, Texas, 
about 1892. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
variable in productiveness. Leaves 5^ inches long, 1V& 
inches wide, oval-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely 




Plate VIII. — De Soto Plum. 



GREENSBORO 



HEATH CLING 



173 



serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
% inch long, glandless or with 1-5 reniform, reddish- 
brown glands. Blossoms midseason, medium in size, 
pale pink. Fruit early, 2^ inches in diameter, oblong- 
oval, compressed, oblique ; cavity deep, narrow, abrupt ; 
suture shallow, becoming deeper at the cavity ; apex 
depressed, with a mucronate tip ; color creamy- white, 
blushed with red ; pubescence short ; skin thin, separates 
from the pulp ; flesh white, juicy, stringy, meaty ; good 
in quality ; stone clinging, obovate, plump, strongly 
bulged on one side, conspicuously winged, pointed at 
the base, with the surfaces grooved and pitted. 

GREENSBORO. Fig. 165. Balsey. Greens- 
boro is one of the leading early, white-fleshed 
peaches. It takes high place because of its 
showy fruits and its large, vigorous, healthy, 
early-bearing, and prolific trees. In the last 




165. Greensboro. (.XV2) 

character, in particular, Greensboro is almost 
supreme — year in and year out, its trees are 
fruitful. Possibly no other white-fleshed peach 
is adapted to a greater variety of soils than 
Greensboro — a quality which makes it suitable 
for wide variations in peach-regions. The 
peaches, while handsome, are in no way re- 
markable, the quality being rather inferior, so 
that it is the tree that gives Greensboro its 
standing. The variety is well thought of by 
fruit-dealers, because the fruits carry well and 
keep long. Possibly the peaches are less sus- 
ceptible to brown-rot than most other varieties 
of Greensboro's season, but to offset this ad- 
vantage there are many cracked pits and ac- 
companying malformed fruits. Picked green, 
the stone clings; picked at maturity, the flesh 
is free. Greensboro is a seedling of Connett 
grown by W. G. Balsey, Greensboro, North 
Carolina, about 1891. 

Tree very large, spreading, open-topped, hardy, very 
productive. Leaves 6i/^ inches long, IVz inches wide, 
recurved, obovate-lanceolate, leatherj' ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
^ inch long, with 1-5 reniform, reddish-brown glands. 
Flowers early, pale pink, 1% inches across, usually in 
twos. Fruit early; 2^ inches in diameter, oblong-oval, 
often obli^4ue, bulged at one side, compressed, with 
unequal sides ; cavity deep, narrow, abrupt ; suture 
shallow, deepening toward the cavity ; apex rounded, 
with a small, mucronate tip ; color creamy-white, 
blushed with red, with a few stripes of darker red inter- 
mingling ; pubescence heavy, nearly tomentose ; skin 
tough, separates from the pulp ; Hesh white, very juicy, 
tender and melting, mild, sweet, sprightly ; fair in 
quality ; stone semi-clinging, ovate, strongly bulged 
along one side, with short grooves on the surfaces. 

HALE EARLY. Hale. In the middle of 
the last century. Hale Early was considered 
the best peach of its season for home and 



market. Even now it has several characters 
to recommend it: as, large, vigorous, hardy, 
healthy, productive trees; fruits handsome in 
color, uniform in size and shape, with flesh 
more than ordinarily free from the stone for 
an early peach, fair quality for the season, 
and extreme earliness. The chief fault is that 
the peaches run small in size, scarcely exceed- 
ing large marbles, which they resemble in 
roundness. The variety must be grown in the 
best of peach lands, heavily thinned, and the 
trees severely pruned. The peaches are very 
susceptible to brown-rot. Nowhere very com- 
monly planted, the variety is still widely dis- 
tributed. Hale Early grew from a seed planted 
in 1850 by a German named Moas at Ran- 
dolph, Ohio. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, variable 
in productiveness. Leaves flat or curled downward, 6^ 
inches long, li/4 inches wide, long-oval, thin, leathery; 
margin finely serrate, often in 2 series ; teeth tipped 
with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, gland- 
less or with 1-4 small, globose, reddish-brown glands. 
Blossoms midseason, dark pink at the center, ligliter 
toward the margin and with streaks of light pink along 
the veins, 1'/^ inches across, usually single. Fruit early; 
1% inches in diameter, round, slightly compressed, with 
unequal halves ; cavity regular, deep, wide, flaring ; 
suture shallow, with a slight bulge near the apex ; 
apex rounded or flattened, ending abruptly in a short, 
sharp, recun'ed point ; color creamy-white,' blushed over 
one-half the surface ; pubescence short, thick ; skin tough, 
free ; flesh white, juicy, tender, sweet, with some 
astringency ; good in quality ; stone semi-free, oval, 
plump, with a short-pointed apex, surfaces marked by 
short grooves. 

HALL YELLOW. Hall Yellow is a peach 
of the Peento type, said to be a seedling of 
Angel. It is grown rather commonly in Florida 
as a home fruit, the peaches being esteemed 
for their high quality. The variety originated 
with R. C. Hall, Volusia County, Florida, 
about 1900. The fruits are described as fol- 
lows : 

Fruit early, large, round-oblate to round-oblong, bulged 
on OTie side ; suture very shallow ; apex rounded ; skin 
yellow washed with red ; flesh yellow, red at the stone 
with red lines radiating in the flesh ; firm, juicy with a 
rich and very agreeable flavor ; quality good to very 
good ; stone of medium size, free. 

HEATH CLING. Heath. White English. 
Heath Clmg is the oldest named American 
peach now under cultivation. For its tree- 
characters and for at least one fruit-character 
it ought to be retained for breeding. Thus, 
few varieties have larger, healthier, hardier, 
trees; and of all American peaches, the fruits 
keep longest, often keeping m good condition 
from October to December. Well-grown, the 
peach has a sweet, rich, vinous taste, but the 
flesh adheres so tightly to the stone that it 
is not pleasant eating out of hand, although 
excellent cooked, preserved, or pickled, as the 
stone in culinary preparations imparts a pleas- 
ant flavor of peach-pit bitterness. Just how 
old Heath Cling is no one knows, but it prob- 
ably was gro\vn in the colonies before the 
Revolution. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves 6^^ inches long, 1^ inches wide, 
obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 



174 



HEATH FREE 



ILLINOIS 



tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, 
with 2-7 small, mostly reniform, reddish-brown glands. 
Blossoms midseason, a faded pink, white at the center 
of the petals, % inch across. Fruit verj' late; 2^ 
inches in diameter, round-oval, compressed and some- 
what angular, with unequal sides ; cavity variable in 
depth and width, tlaring ; suture shallow ; apex ending 
in a swollen, pointed tip ; color creamy-white, blushed 
with red, splashed and mottled with darker red ; pubes- 
cence short, thick, fine ; skin thin, adhering to the 
pulp ; flesh white, juicy, firm, tender, sweet or some- 
what sprightly ; good in quality ; stone clinging, oval, 
plump, flattened and pointed toward the base, tapering 
to a short point at the apex, with dark brown, grooved 
surfaces. 

HEATH FREE. Heath. Heath Free is 
now rarely planted, being replaced by better 
sorts. The tree-characters of the variety seem 
to be very good, but the fruits are poor in 
quality. Possibly it is worth growing under 
some conditions as a late, w^hite-fleshed peach. 
Heath Free is another old variety, a native of 
New England. Kenrick, one of the first 
American pomologists, received the variety 
from General Heath, Roxbuiy, Massachusetts, 
early m the nineteenth century. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright- spreading, open- 
topped, unproductive. Leaves 7 inches long, 1% inches 
wide, folded upward, recuned slightly, long-oval to 
obovate-lanceolate, rather thin ; margin finely serrate, 
with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^^ inch long, with 
2-5 reniform, reddish-brown glands. Flowers midseason, 
dark pink along the margins of the petals changing to 
while toward their centers. Fruit late midseason; 2% 
inches in diameter, round-oval, often strongly compressed, 
with halves nearly equal ; cavity medium to shallow ; 
apex roundish, with a depressed, mucronate tip ; color 
creamy-white, blushed or mottled with red, with splashes 
of deeper red ; pubescence rather coarse, thick ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh white, bronzed 
at the pit, juicy, coarse, firm but tender, mild subacid 
with some astringency ; good in quality ; stone free, 
flattened near the base, oval, with long grooves deeply 
sunken in the surfaces. 

HILEY. Fig. 166. Early Belle. In spite 
of keen competition with many other early, 
white-fleshed peaches, there seems to be a 
place for Hiley. Two characters make it 




166. Hiley. (XVa) 

notable in its class: it is the earliest com- 
mercial freestone, white-fleshed peach; and it 
is rather better in quality than most of its 
competitors. Well grown, the peaches are large 
in size and handsomely colored, but they are 
not quite so uniform in either size or color as 
could be desired for a commercial variety. 
The trees, while productive, are neither large 
nor sufficiently hardy and vigorous to make 
an ideal commercial sort. The fruits are easy 



prey to brown-rot. Hiley originated with 
Eugene Hiley, Marshallville, Georgia, about 

1S86. 

Tree medium in size, lacking in vigor, upright-spread- 
ing, open-topped, ver^' productive. Leaves 6^/4 inches 
long, 11^ inches wide, narrow-oval to obovate-lanceolate, 
leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with 
reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, glandless 
or with 1 to 8 small, globose and reniform, greenish- 
yellow glands. Blossoms midseason, pink, 2 inches 
across, often in twos ; pedicels glabrous, greenish ; calyx- 
tube dull, dark reddish-green, greenish-yellow within. 
Fruit midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, oblong-conic, 
bulged near the apex, with unequal halves ; cavity 
abrupt, the skin tender and tearing easily ; suture shal- 
low, deepening toward the apex ; apex pointed ; color 
greenish-yellow with a dull blush over 14 the surface, 
more or less mottled ; pubescence thick, fine, short ; skin 
thin, tough, separates from the pulp when fully ripe ; 
flesh creamy-white, stained red at the pit, stringy, firm 
but tender, with a distinct, pleasant flavor, sprightly ; 
good in quality ; stone free, pointed at both ends, with 
nearly smooth surfaces. 

HOBSON. Hobson Cling. Hobson is a 
showy red-cheeked, white-fleshed clingstone, 
strongly recommended several years ago in 
Texas, but now mentioned in only a few of 
the catalogs of the southwestern states. It is 
said to be a seedling of Mamie Ross, grown 
by E. W. Kirkpatrick, McKinney, Texas, and 
was first described in the report of the Dela- 
ware Experiment Station in 1901. The variety 
seems not to be known in northern or western 
states. The Delaware Station describes the 
fruit as follows: 

"Fruit early, medium size, oval, compressed ; apex 
uneven, blunt ; skin firm, thick, creamy-white faintly 
blushed ; flesh firm, moderately juicy, astringent ; stone 
clinging, sliort. blunt ; good for canning." 

HONEY. Honey is the type plant of a 
group of Chinese peaches, the chief strain of 
which, as grown in this countrj', was raised 
from seed sent from China to Charles Down- 
ing, Newburgh, New York, some time previous 
to 1858. Peaches of this group reproduce from 
seed nearly true to type, and a number of 
strains of Honej' are to be found in America 
under the one name; there are, also, a consid- 
erable number of named strains. The variety 
and its offspring thrive only in the Gulf states 
and in the warmer parts of California. 

Tree vigorous and productive, hardy only in the 
South ; glands usually reniform but sometimes globose. 
Fruit midseason in the South, small to medium, oblong- 
oval tapering at the apex into a long, sharp beak ; skin 
pale yellow, washed and dotted with red which deepens 
almost to a crimson blush ; flesh creamy white, streaked 
with red around the pit, juicy, very tender, melting, 
distinct rich, honey-like flavor ; quality very good to 
best ; pit of medium size, oval, free. 

ILLINOIS. Fig. 167. Illinois is a mid- 
season, white-fleshed, freestone peach, still on 
probation, with what result as to commercial 
possibilities it is impossible to predict, since 
growers in peach-regions are not in accord as 
to its value. In size, color, and shape of fruit, 
Illinois is one of the beauties of the orchard. 
Yet, all things considered, the new variety is 
not so good as Champion, with which it would 
have to compete. Neither tree- nor fruit- 
characters are quite satisfactory'. It must be 
apparent, also, to all peach-growers that the 



IMPERIAL 



IRON MOUNTAIN 



175 



industry is overloaded with white-fleshed 
peaches, which must be sold in nearby mar- 
kets or grown for home use. Illinois originated 
about 1910 on the grounds of E. H. Riehl 
near North Alton, Illinois. 




167. Illinois. {XV2) 



Tree medium in size and vigor, upright to spreading, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves 5^^ inches long, 1\^ 
inches wide, curled under at the tips, ovate-lanceolate, 
thin, leathery ; margin deeply and sharply serrate, the 
serrations often in 2 series ; teeth tipped with small 
glands ; petiole % inch long, glandless. Blossoms mid- 
season, variable in color, 1 inch across, often in twos. 
Fruit early midseason ; 2 ^ inches in diameter, round- 
oblate, compressed, the halves usuaily unequal ; cavity 
deep, abrupt, often tinged with red ; suture shallow, 
deepening toward the apex ; apex rounded, with a 
Jnucronate tip ; color creamy-white, blushed with dull, 
dark red and mottled with splashes of brighter red ; 
pubescence heavy ; skin tough ; flesh white, stained red 
near the pit, juicy, tender and melting, sweet ; good in 
quality ; stone semi-free to free, obovate, elongated 
toward the base, plump, short-pointed at the apex, with 
grooved and pitted surfaces. 

IMPERIAL. Fig. 168. Of the several 
honey-flavored peaches, Imperial is one of the 
best. The fruit is not easily distinguished in 
appearance from that of Climax, and is also 
rather closely allied to Honey in outward char- 




Tree medium in size or small, up right- spreading, 
round-topped, productive. Leaves 6% inches long, IVi 
inches wide, flat, lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely 
and shallowly serrate ; teeth tipped with glands ; petiole 
% inch long, with 1-4 small, reniform glands. Blossoms 
midseason ; medium in size, showy, light pink, usually 
single. Fruit late; 2V2 inches long, 2% inches wide, 
oval, with unequal halves ; cavity shallow, medium in 
width, flaring ; suture very shallow, often indistinct 
toward the cavity ; apex distinctly elongated ; color 
whitish, with faint mottlings and a distinct blush ; pubes- 
cence short, thick ; skin tough, adhering to the pulp ; 
flesh white, stained with red near the pit, juicy, fine- 
grained, tender and melting, very sweet and of a de- 
lightful flavor ; very good to best : stone free, bulged 
at one side, long and pointed at the apex, with rough, 
pitted surfaces, dark brown mingled with purplish-red. 

IRON MOUNTAIN. Fig. 169. Hardiness 
is the outstanding character which has brought 
Iron Mountain into prominence. The intro- 
ducer claims extreme hardiness of wood and 
bud for the variety ; others say that it is sur- 
passed in hardiness by Crosby. Wager, and 
other varieties of their type. Iron Mountain 
is a very late, white-fleshed, freestone peach, 



168. Imperial. (XVa) 

acters, but has a somewhat distinct flavor in 
which it surpasses Climax and Honey. It 
differs from both, also, in time of ripening. 
The peaches drop badly as they mature. Im- 
perial is worth a place in even,' home orchard 
where it does not have to brave too great a 
degree of cold ; and peach-breeders should 
seize the opportunity to cross it with less 
richly flavored northern varieties. Imperial is 
a seedling of Honev grown in 1890 by G. L. 
Taber, Glen Saint lilarj', Florida. 




169. Iron Mountain. (X%) 

well adapted for extending the commercial 
limits for this fruit in regions where fall frosts 
hold off sufficiently long for the fruit to ripen. 
The tree-characters are very satisfactorj-, and 
the peaches serve verj- well for culmary pur- 
poses, but are not sufficiently attractive for 
a dessert fruit. There seem to be two varieties 
passing under this name, much alike in fruit; 
one is large-flowered, the other small-flowered. 
This variety might well be planted for some 
markets; as, for example, near towns and cities 
where it is desirable to extend the local market 
as late as possible. Iron Mountain originated 
in New Jersey about 1890, but nothing is known 
of its parentage or its originator. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
not always productive. Leaves 6 inches long, 1^ inches 
wide, folded upward and recurved, obovate-lanceolate, 
leathery ; margin glandular, finely serrate ; petiole % 
inch long, with 1-6 reniform glands of medium size. 
Flowers late, small, pale pink. Fruit verj- late; 2% 
inches long, 2^ inches thick, oblong-oval, often bulged 
on one side, compressed : cavity contracted, below me- 
dium in depth, flaring; suture" shallow, extending only 
to the tip ; apex distinctly mucronate or rounded, 
sometimes tapering ; color "creamy-white, occasionally 
with a light blush ; pubescence heavy ; skin medium to 
thin, tender, adherent to the pulp ; "flesh white, stained 
brown next to the pit, juicy, tender, sweet, mild ; 
quality good ; stone semi-free, wedge-like at base, obovate, 
plump, long-pointed at the apex, winged, with large, 
wide and deep grooves in the surfaces. 



176 



J. H. HALE 



LATE CRAWFORD 



J. H. HALE. Fig. 170. Of many new 
peaches, J. H. Hale is the leading aspirant for 
pomological honors. Its characters can be best 
set forth by comparing it with Elberta, the 
standard commercial peach. In size, the fruit 
of J. H. Hale averages larger; the flesh is 
firmer and heavier ; the peaches ship better and 
keep longer than those of Elberta. In shape, the 




170. J. H. Hale. (XVz) 

fruit is almost a sphere, its perfect symmetry 
being scarcely marred by the suture, so that 
it is more shapely than the oblong Elberta, 
and can be packed to better advantage. In 
color, there is no choice; both peaches are 
voluptuously handsome. The skin of the J. H. 
Hale fruit is less pubescent and possibly a little 
firmer and tighter, characters adding to appear- 
ance and shipping qualities. It is but an invi- 
tation to argument to say which is the better 
in flavor, aroma, texture, and juiciness; neither 
can .be rated as extra good. J. H. Hale ripens 
its fruit a few days earlier than Elberta, and 
its trees and buds are hardier than those of 
Elberta. Which is the more productive is not 
certain. The greatest asset of Elberta is its 
ability to adapt itself to diverse soils; whether 
J. H. Hale is equally elastic in constitution re- 
mains to be seen. The variety is still on pro- 
bation with the chances growing stronger each 
year that it will take high place among com- 
mercial peaches. The new variety will not 
drive Elberta from the markets, but the mar- 
kets will be shared between the two, J. H. Hale 
reaching the fruit-stands several days in ad- 
vance of Elberta. This remarkable variety 
is a chance seedling found by J. H. Hale, South 
Glastonbury, Connecticut. The distribution of 
the variety was begun by Stark Brothers, 
Louisiana, Missouri, in 1912, and possibly no 
other tree-fruit has ever been so rapidly prop- 
agated and so widely distributed. 

_ Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, produc- 
ti^'e. Leaves 6^ inches long, 1% inches wide, recurving 
at the tip, lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin singly or 
doubly serrate; petiole Vt inch long, thick, with" 1-5 
reniform, dark brown glands of medium size. Flowers 
midseason, light pink near the center, darker near the 
edges, 1>4 inches across. Fruit midseason; 8 inches in 
diameter, regular, round, with equal halves ; cavitv deep, 
wide, regular ; suture a mere line, very shallow or with 
almost no depression ; apex rounded, 'with a small tip 
set in a depression ; color lemon-yellow overspread with 
dark red and with mottlings and splashes of carmine ; 
pubescence light ; skin thick, tough, separates but 



poorly from the pulp ; flesh yellow, red around the pit, 
juicy, fine-grained, sweet or somewhat sprightly ; good 
in quality ; stone free, oval, plump, flattened at the 
base, pointed at the apex, with grooved and pitted sur- 
faces. 

KALAMAZOO. Before Elberta was intro- 
duced, Kalamazoo was a promising yellow- 
fleshed, freestone variety. The fruit is better 
in quality than Elberta, but not so showy in 
appearance, and the trees are not quite so 
productive. Kalamazoo ripens with Late 
Crawford, and well competes with that variety, 
for the trees are hardier in wood and bud, and 
are much more productive. The variety falls 
short, however, in the size of the peaches, 
which run no larger than a medium Late Craw- 
ford. The fruits are of highest quality either 
for dessert or culinary purposes. The trees are 
susceptible to leaf-curl and must be thor- 
oughly sprayed. This variety is grown rather 
extensively in Michigan and is well known in 
parts of New York. Kalamazoo originated 
with J. N. Stearns, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 
about 1869, as a sprout below the bud on a 
Yellow Alberge tree. 

Tree large, spreading, vigorous, open-topped, very 
productive. Leaves 6^ inches long, IVz inches wide, 
nearly flat or curled downward, obovate-lanceolate. leath- 
ery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole Vz inch long, with 1-6 small, 
reniform, reddish-brown glands. Blossoms midseason, 
pale pink, white at the center of the petals, 1% inches 
across. Fruit late; 2V2 inches in diameter, round-oval, 
often compressed, witli unequal sides ; cavity wide, 
abrupt ; suture indistinct, becoming more pronounced 
toward the tip ; apex ending in a small, elongated point ; 
color yellow, with a distinct blush extending over one- 
fourth of the surface, mottled ; pubescence thick, fine ; 
skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh light 
yellow, stained with red near the pit, juicy, tender, 
sweet, mild ; good in quality ; stone free, ovate, bulged 
on one side, winged near the base, the surfaces pitted 
and grooved near the apex. 

KRUMMEL. Krummel is a favorite va- 
riety in southern peach regions and is some- 
what grown in New Jersey, Maryland, and the 
Pacific states. It seems to be a very valuable 
variety where a late peach is wanted. In the 
regions named, the trees are said to be more 
productive and somewhat hardier than those 
of Salwey, with which the variety must com- 
pete. It is seldom to be found in northern 
peach orchards. Krummel originated with a 
man of the same name, in St. Louis, Missouri, 
some time previous to 1900. The fruit is 
described as it grows at the Ohio Experiment 
Station, Wooster, Ohio, as follows: 

"Large, globose, one-sided, enlarged conspicuously at 
base ; suture made distinct by one side of fruit being 
much swollen ; apex very prominent, pointed ; color light 
lemon yellow very faintly blushed with carmine ; flesh 
yellow, red at pit, very fine in texture, juicy and melt- 
ing ; quality good though a little acid ; refreshing ; pit 
free; the latest peach grown at this Station." 

LATE CRAWFORD. Fig. 171. Craw- 
ford's Superb Malacatunc. Craioford's Late 
Melocoton. Late Crawford is at the head of 
the Crawford family, long dominant among 
the several groups of American peaches, and 
not yet equalled in quality by any other 
yellow-fleshed peaches. Late Crawford, a 
quarter-century ago, began to give way to 



LATE CRAWFORD 



LOLA 



177 



Elberta because of the greater productiveness 
of the Elberta tree and the showier Elberta 
fruits, and now, though widely distributed, is 
nowhere largely planted and seems likely to 
pass out of cultivation as a peach of commerce. 
Unproductiveness and tardiness in coming in 
bearing are the faults on account of which 
Late Crawford is failing. Itself adapted to a 
wide range of soil and climatic conditions, 
Late Crawford, through the recurring variations 
from seed, has made the Crawford family the 
most cosmopolitan of the several distinct races 
of American peaches. Compared with other 




17L Late Crawford. (XV2) 



LEMON FREE. Lemon. Lemon Free is 
a yellow-fleshed, freestone, lemon-shaped, 
lemon-colored peach ripening in late mid- 
season. The fruit is not sufficiently attractive 
in appearance to sell well in the markets; it 
is too thin-skinned to ship or keep well ; but 
the quality is very good, the flavor being sweet, 
rich and delicious. It is an excellent peach 
for culinary purposes, having the reputation of 
making a handsomer canned product than any 
other peach. Lemon Free is little grown in 
the eastern states, but it is one of the leading 
sorts of its season in California. This variety 
seems to have originated in Ohio, about 1885, 
but nothing is known of its parentage, 
originator, or introducer. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense- 
topped, hardy. Leaves 7 inches long, 1% inches wide, 
obovate-lanceolate, thick, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; 
teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch 
long, with 2-6 large, reniform, reddish-brown glands. 
Flowers midseason, medium size, pale pinlt. Fruit late 
midseason ; 2^ inches in diameter, round-oval; cavity 
medium to deep, wide, flaring, often mottled with red : 
suture shallow, becoming deeper at the apex and extend- 
ing beyond ; apex mucronate to round-mamelon, re- 
curved ; color green or golden-yellow, with a faint blush 
and mottled with red ; pubescence fine, long, thick ; skin 
thin, tender, variable in adhesion to the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, juicy, stringy, tender and melting, sweet, 
sprightly, pleasantly flavored ; very good in quality ; 
stone semi-free to free, oval, plump, flattened near the 
base, short-pointed, the surfaces usually grooved and 
with few pits. 



Crawford-like peaches. Late Crawford is pos- 
sibly the best in fruit-characters, the peaches 
being unsurpassed in appearance, and scarcely 
equalled in texture of flesh and richness of 
flavor. The fruits are more shapely than those 
of other Crawford varieties, being more uni- 
form, rovmder, trimmer in contour, and hav- 
ing a suture that scarcely mars the symmetry 
of the peach. In color. Late Crawford runs 
the whole gamut of the soft tints of red and 
yellow that make Melocotons and Crawfords 
the most beautiful of all peaches. The trees 
are as vigorous, hardy, healthy and as little 
susceptible to disease as any of the varieties 
of kin, failing only in productiveness and in 
coming in bearing tardily. Evidently destined 
to pass from commercial cultivation. Late 
Crawford ought long to remain one of the 
treasures of the home orchard. This excellent 
peach was raised by William Crawford, Mid- 
dletown. New Jersey, at least a hundred years 
ago. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
not very productive. Leaves 6% inches long, 1% inches 
wide, folded upward and curled downward ; margin 
finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; 
petiole ^ inch long, with 1-6 small, globose, reddish- 
brown glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, pink. 
Fruit late; 2% inches in diameter, round-oval, com- 
pressed, with unequal halves ; cavity deep, medium to 
narrow, flaring ; suture shallow, deepening toward the 
apex ; apex rounded with a sliglitly pointed and swollen 
beak-like tip ; color deep yellow, dully or brightly 
blushed, with the red cheek splashed with darker red ; 
pubescence short, fine ; skin thick, tough, separates 
readily from the pulp ; flesh yellow, strongly stained with 
red at the pit, juicy, firm but tender, sweet but sprightly, 
richly flavored ; very good in quality ; stone free, ovate, 
flattened, bulged on one side, blunt-pointed, flattened 
near the base, with surfaces deeply pitted and grooved. 



LEVY. Henrietta. Levy Late. Levy is a 
round, yellow-fleshed clingstone of very good 
quality which ripens quite too late for any but 
the most favorable peach-sections in the 
North. It is one of the favorite peaches to 
close the season in southern fruit-growing 
sections. The variety is old and was first in- 
troduced as Henrietta. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright to quite spreading, 
hardy, productive. Leaves 6^/^ inches long, 1% inches wide, 
lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped 
with reddish-brown glands ; petiole % inch long, with 
1-6 small, globose, reddish-brown glands. Blossoms mid- 
season ; 1 inch across, with varying shades of pink, 
sometimes in twos. Fruit very late ; 2 V2 inches in 
diameter, round-cordate, compressed, with very unequal 
halves ; cavity medium to deep, wide, abrupt, with 
tender skin and often twig-marked ; suture deep, ex- 
tending beyond the tip ; apex mamelon, recurved ; color 
golden-yellow, with splashes of dull red and a lively 
blush covering one cheek ; pubescence short, thick, fine ; 
skin thick, adherent to the pulp ; flesh yellow, juicy, 
stringy, meaty, mild or somewhat astringent, pleasantly 
flavored ; fair to good in quality ; stone clinging, bulged 
on one side, oval, plump, winged, with surfaces marked 
by short, red grooves. 

LOLA. Fig. 172. Miss Lola. Lola is a 
popular peach in parts of the South, but is 
hardly known in the North. The crop follows 
that of Mamie Ross and Greensboro, both of 
which Lola surpasses in appearance and quality 
of fruit, but precedes that of Champion. The 
fruits ripen with those of the well-known 
Carman, so that fruit-growers will want to 
know how Lola compares with that variety. 
The tree is hardier than that of Carman; and 
the fruit is of better quality, larger, but hardly 
so well colored. The peaches are handsome 
and of best quality. The variety originated 



178 



LOVELL 



MAYFLOWER 



from seed planted in 1876 by J. W. Stuben- 
rauch, Mexia, Texas, who named it Miss Lola 
in honor of his daughter. 




172. Lola. (XVz) 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves 6 inches long, \^ inches 
wide, obovate-lanceolate, thin ; margin finely serrate to 
nearly crenate, glandular ; petiole ^ inch long, with 
1-5 reniform glands. Flowers early, 2 inches across, 
light to dark pink, usually in twos. Fruit early mid- 
season ; 2 ^/^ inches in diameter, round-oval, usually 
oblique, compressed, with nearly equal halves ; cavity 
deep, wide, abrupt, with tender skin ; suture shallow, 
deepening toward the tip ; apex small, mucronate, 
rounded or somewhat depressed ; color creamy- white 
blushed with carmine deepened by a few dark splashes ; 
pubescence short, thin ; skin thin, tough, separating 
from the pulp ; flesh white, rayed with red near the pit, 
very juicy, tender and melting, sweet with a pleasant 
sprightliness ; good in quality ; stone semi-free to free. 

LOVELL. Little known in the East, Lovell 
is one of the most widely planted of yellow- 
fleshed freestones in California, where it has 
the reputation of being the best canning, dry- 
ing, and shipping freestone, as the flesh is often 
heavier than that of Muir, which this variety 
follows in season. The trees are remarkable 
for their vigor and productiveness, but are said 
to be susceptible to leaf-curl in some regions. 
The variety originated as a chance seedling 
with G. W. Thissell, Winters, California, in 
1882. 

Tree very vigorous, spreading, somewliat drooping, 
very productive ; glands globose ; flowers small, appear- 
ing in midseason, heavily tinged with red. Fruit 
midseason, 2^ inches wide, 2^/^ inches in diameter, 
round, compressed ; suture distinct, extending beyond 
the apex ; sltin bright yellow with a faint marbled 
blush ; flesh yellow to the pit, firm, heavy ; quality good 
to verj- good ; stone small, round-oval, free. 

McDEVITT CLING. This variety is rec- 
ommended as one of the very good late yellow- 
fleshed clingstones for California. The peaches 
are said to be excellent for canning and ship 
well also. The variety originated with Neal 
McDevitt, Placer County, California. Nursery 
catalogs describe the fruits as follows: 

Fruits very large, uniform, golden-yellow becoming 
red when ripe ; flesh very firm and solid ; superior in 
flavor, canning and shipping well ; season late or the 
last of .Vugust in California. 

McKEVITT CLING. This white-fleshed 
clingstone is largely grown in parts of Cali- 
fornia. The variety is much prized for canning, 
and because of the high quality of the fruit 
is largely planted for home orchards. The 
peaches ship well but are not generally grown 



for distant markets. McKevitt Cling origi- 
nated as a chance seedling with A. McKevitt, 
Vaca Valley, California, some time previous 
to 1882. 

Tree large, upright, vigorous, round-topped, produc- 
tive ; glands globose. Flowers small, tinged with pink, 
midseason. Fruit midseason, large, round-oval ; suture 
distinct ; apex prominent ; color creamy-white, marbled 
with bright red ; flesh moderately juicy, faintly tinged 
with red at the pit, firm, sweet, richly flavored ; quality 
very good to best ; stone of medium size, oval, pointed, 
clinging rather tenaciously. 

MAMIE ROSS. Mamie Ross seems to 
have a very good reputation as a table and 
market peach in Texas and other parts of the 
South, but is hardly worth growing in the 
North. The fruits have two bad faults: the 
quality is not high, the flesh being coarse, 
juicy, and insipid in flavor; and the peaches 
bruise with the least possible handling, so that 
they cannot be shipped to advantage. Mamie 
Ross comes at a season when there are many 
other good midseason, white-fleshed peaches, 
and may, therefore, be thrown out of the list 
for northern regions. Mamie Ross originated 
about 1881 with Captain A. J. Ross, Dallas, 
Texas. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading to somewhat 
drooping, open-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves 6% 
inches long, 1% inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, thick, 
leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with 
reddish-brown glands : petiole 'A inch long, with 1-5 
small, globose and reniform, reddish-brown glands. 
Flowers early, 1% inches across, pink, single. Fruit 
early midseason ; 2 ^ inches in diameter, oblong, com- 
pressed, usually with sides equal ; cavity deep, abrupt, 
marked with streaks of red ; suture variable in depth ; 
apex small, mucronate, set in a slight depression ; color 
pale yellow, with more or less bright red in which are 
splashes of darker red ; pubescence short, fine, thick ; 
skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh white, 
streaked with red near the pit, very juicy, stringy, 
tender, melting, sweet or somewhat sprightly, pleasantly 
flavored ; good in quality ; stone semi-cling or cling, 
long-elliptical, plump, long-pointed, bulged on one side, 
with pitted and grooved surfaces. 

MATTHEWS. Matthews Beauty. 
Matthews is recommended to peach-growers 
of Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware as a 
valuable sort to succeed Elberta. Some grow- 
ers find that in keeping and shipping charac- 
ters the fruits are fully equal to those of 
Elberta. The variety is seldom found in 
northern or western orchards. Matthews is 
supposed to be a cross between Elberta and 
Smock, and originated with J. C. Matthews, 
Cuthbert, Georgia, some time previous to 1898. 
The variety is described in nursery catalogs 
as follows: 

Tree vigorous, productive, fruiting annually ; fruit 
late midseason, large, round ; skin golden yellow with 
streaks of red and crimson cheek ; flesh yellow, firm, 
juicy, mild ; quality good to very good or better than 
that of Elberta ; stone large, oval, free. 

MAYFLOWER. Early Wonder. May- 
flower has the distinction of ripening its fruit 
earlier than any other peach. The trees are 
hardy and productive as far north as Geneva, 
New York, but the variety is grown in com- 
mercial plantations only in the South, being 
best suited to the southern parts of Georgia 
and the coastal belt of the Gulf states. It is 



MAY LEE 



MUIR 



179 



said to have originated in North Carolina, but 
when and by whom does not appear. As 
grown at Geneva, New York, the tree and 
fruit characters are as follows: 

Tree large, vigorous, upright -spreading-, open, hardy, 
productive ; glands small, globose, usually at the base 
of the leaves. Fruit very early, 2 inches in diameter, 
round ; cavity deep, narrow, abrupt ; suture deep ; apex 
rounded, with the tip depressed in the suture ; color 
creamy-white with a dark red blush, mottled and splashed 
with red ; pubescence rather heavy and unsightly ; flesh 
greenish-white, tinged with red at the skin, juicy, ten- 
der, subacid ; quality fair to good ; stone rather large, 
ovate, conspicuously winged, clinging tenaciously. 

MAY LEE. May Lee is a very early white- 
fleshed, clingstone, pink-cheeked peach intro- 
duced to rival Alexander. Triumph, and other 
early sorts. It fails because the peaches run 
small, the flesh clings too tenaciously, and the 
stones crack. The fruit is neither attractive 
in color nor high in quality. The peaches may 
be as good in quality as Alexander or Triumph 
but are no better. Maj' Lee originated with 
E. W. Kirkpatrick, McKinney, Texas, from 
a seed of Alamie Ross planted in 1896. 

Tree large, spreading, low-growing, very productiv 
Leaves 6^ inches long, 1% inches wide, obovatC' 
lanceolate, thick, leathery ; margin crenate ; teeth tipped 
with small reddish glands ; petiole ^ inch long, gland 
less or with 1-5 large, reniform glands. Flowers mid 
season, 2 inches across, light pink ; pedicels very short, 
of medium thickness, glabrous ; calyx-tube greenish 
red, campanulate. Fruit early; 2% inches in diameter, 
round, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity deep, 
narrow, abrupt ; suture variable in depth, extending 
beyond the tip ; apex small, mucronate, depressed ; color 
creamy-white, with a blush toward the apex ; toment' 
skin thick, tough, semi-free to free ; flesh white, very 
juicy, tender and melting, sweet, mild, pleasantly flav- 
ored ; good in quality ; stone semi-clinging to clinging, 
oval, conspicuously winged, flattened near the base, 
with deeply grooved surfaces. 

MORRIS WHITE. White Rareripe. Mor- 
ris White IS one of the ancients of American 
peach-orchards, deserving notice now only be- 
cause of its worthy past. The fruit is distin- 
guished by its flesh, which is white to the pit, 
with no trace of red on the surface or next 
to the stone; and by its sweet, rich flavor, 
which gives it high rank among the best of 
peaches. The day of Morris White is past 
for either commercial or home orchards, but 
it might still be used advantageously in breed- 
ing late, white-fleshed, freestone peaches. The 
origin of the variety is in doubt, but probably 
it originated in the latter part of the eight- 
eenth century, at Flushing, Long Island. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
productive. Lea\'es 6% inclies long, 1% inches wide, 
flat, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; 
teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch 
long, with 1-5 small, globose and reniform glands. 
Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, pale pink, deepening 
in color along the edges. Fruit late ; 2 inches in 
diameter, cordate-oval or oblate, compressed, with halves 
nearly equal ; cavity flaring ; suture a line, becoming 
deeper toward the tip ; apex roundish, depressed in the 
suture, with mucronate tip ; color pale white, usually 
without blush ; pubescence heavy, long and coarse ; skin 
thin, tough, somewhat adherent ; flesh white, juicy, 
tender and melting, sweet, pleasantly flavored ; good in 
quality ; stone nearly free, obovate, flattened near the 
base, with deeply grooved surfaces. 

MOUNTAIN ROSE. Mountain Rose is 
preeminent among white-fleshed, freestone 



peaches for fruits of high quality and hand- 
some appearance, which are further distin- 
guished by a distinct and delicious flavor— a 
sort of scented sweetness. Unfortunately, the 
variety fails in the chief requirement for popu- 
larity in these days of commercial fruit-grow- 
ing — the trees are unproductive, a fault so 
marked that Mountain Rose is rapidly passing 
from cultivation. The crop sells well in all 
markets where it is known, usually bringing 
a fancy price because of its extra good quality. 
The variety originated about 1S51 on the 
farm of a Dr. Marvin, Morristown, New 
Jersey. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, low-growing 
and dense- topped, unproductive. Leaves G% inches 
long, 1^ inches wide, flattened or curled downward, 
obovate-lanceolate, thick, leathery ; margin finely ser- 
rate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
Vz inch long, with 2-4 small, globose, reddish-brown 
glands. Blossoms midseason. small, pale pink. Fruit 
early midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, abrupt, often 
twig-marked ; suture shallow, Ix'coniing deeper toward 
the tip ; apex rounded, depressed in the suture, with 
mucronate or sometimes mamelon tip ; color creamy- 
white, blushed with deep red, with a few splashes of 
darker red ; pubescence long, thick ; skin thin, tough, 
variable in adhesion ; flesh white, stained red near the 
pit, juicy, tender and melting, sweet, mild, pleasantly 
flavored ; good to very good in quality ; stone free, 
ovate, plump, bulged on one side, contracted toward 
the base, tapering to a short point, usually with small 
pits in the surfaces. 

MUIR. Fig. 173. Muir is suitable only for 
culinary purposes — attractive enough inside, 
but so unattractive externally that it could 




173. Muir. (XVa) 

tempt no one who did not know the fruit to 
be sweet and delicious in flavor. It is a late 
midseason, yellow-fleshed, freestone peach 
much used by canners on the Pacific slope. It 
ought to be more generally grown for the 
same purpose m the East; for, as a canned 
product, it is hardly surpassed in appearance 
or quality. The trees are vigorous, productive, 
and little subject to leaf-curl, but the fruits 
are often marred by peach-scab. The variety 
seems perfectly at home in most peach-regions. 
In fruit-characters, Muir is ver>' similar to 
Wager. The variety was found about 1880 on 
the farm of John Muir, Silveyville, California. 

Tree vigorous, upright or somewhat spreading, hardy, 
productive. Leaves fall early in the season, 6% inches 
long, 1% inches wide, flat or somewhat curled down- 
ward, oval-lanceolate, leathery ; margin bluntly serrate ; 
teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch 
long, with 1-5 large, reniform glands. Flowers late, 1 



180 



NIAGARA 



OLDMIXON FREE 



inch across, pale pink, darker about the edges, usually 
single. Fruit midseason ; 2% inches long, 2*^ inches 
wide, round-cordate or oval, angular, compressed, with 
unequal halves ; cavity shallow, contracted about the 
sides, flaring ; suture medium in depth ; apex pointed, 
with a large, recurved maraelon tip ; color lemon-yellow, 
with little if any blush ; pubescence heavy, loi^ ; skin 
thin, tough, separates from the pulp when fully ripe; 
flesh yellow, faintly tinged near the pit, dry, coarse, ten- 
der, sweet, mild ; good in quality ; stone free, ovate, flat- 
tened, wedge-shaped toward the base, tapering to a 
long apex, with large pits and a few small grooves in 
the surfaces. 

NIAGARA. Fig. 174. Newark Seedling. 
Niagara is a variant of Early Crawford. The 
fruit ripens later than that of Early Crawford 
and averages better to the end of the season. 
But Niagara's great point of merit, as com- 




174. Niagara. {XV2) 

pared with Early Crawford, is that it is more 
dependable in all tree-characters, being, es- 
pecially, less capricious as to soil and climate. 
The peach is beautiful — yellow, with a hand- 
some over-color of red. The flesh, too, is 
attractive and delectable — yellow, thick, and 
firm, with a rich, sweet flavor which makes it 
one of the most palatable peaches of its season. 
Niagara fails in productiveness in some lo- 
calities, having in this respect the fault of all 
its tribe ; but it should have a welcome place 
in any home collection, and, where it proves 
productive, is one of the best for general 
market. Niagara probably came from Mary- 
land to Julius Harris, Ridgeway, New York, 
who introduced it about 1890. 

Tree large, upright-spreading, hardy, medium in pro- 
ductiveness. Leaves 6 % inches long, 1 % inches wide, 
flattened or curled downward, oval to obov ate -lanceolate, 
leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with 
reddish-brown glands ; petiole i/^ inch long, glandless 
or with 1-5 small, globose, raised, reddish-brown glands. 
Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, white near the center 
of the petals changing to dark pink near the edges. 
Fruit midseason; 2y2 inches in diameter, round -cordate, 
compressed, with equal halves ; cavity medium to deep, 
abrupt, with very tender skin, often splashed with red ; 
suture shallow, deepening toward the apex ; apex 
rounded or pointed, with a mamelon recurved tip ; color 
orange-yellow, blushed with deep, dull red, with stripes 
and splashes of darker red ; pubescence short, thick, 
fine ; skin thick, tough, adlierent to the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, deeply tinged with red near the pit, juicy, 
coarse but tender, sprightly ; very good in quality ; 
stone free, broadly ovate, plump, with long point at 
the apex, usually with grooved surfaces and with few 
pits, tinged with red. 

OLDMIXON CLING. Oldmi^on. With- 
out question one of the oldest American peaches, 



going back at least 150years,Oldmixon Cling is 
still well worthy of a place in every home or- 
chard. It is a rich, luscious, white-fleshed peach, 
ripening late; besides being excellent in quality 
for dessert and culinary purposes, it is uncom- 
monly handsome — a combination of characters 
possessed by few other peaches. The fruits 
have but one fault, the pits crack badly. The 
variety, however, seems to be passing out be- 
cause the trees are not fruitful, though in all 
other respects they are seemingly near per- 
fection. Oldmixon Cling is reported to have 
been introduced by Sir John Oldmixon, 
an early official of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania, who brought pits to America about 
1730. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, rather 
unproductive. Leaves G% inches long, l*^ inches wide, 
flattened or curled downward, obovate-lanceolate, leath- 
ery ; margin finely serrate; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole \^ inch long, with 1-4 small, 
globose glands. Flowers midseason, % inch across, 
light pink at the center deepening to darker pink at 
the margins, often in twos, sometimes in threes. Fruit 
late; about 2'^^ inches in diameter, round-oval, com- 
pressed, with unequal halves ; cavity medium to deep, 
wide ; suture shallow, becoming deeper toward the 
apex ; apex round, with a recurved, mamelon tip ; color 
creamy- white, with a blush of lively red and faint 
splashes of darker red ; pubescence fine, short, thick ; 
skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh white, 
faintly stained with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, 
tender, melting, sweet but sprightly, pleasantly flavored ; 
very good in quality ; stone clinging, oval, bulged on 
one side, flattened near the base, plump, long-pointed, 
with grooved surfaces. 

OLDMIXON FREE. Oldmixon Free is a 
variant of Oldmixon Cling, differing essen- 
tially in having a free stone; it is also more 
sprightly in flavor and not quite so well 
endowed with the characters that constitute 
high quality. Outwardly, the two peaches 
can hardly be told apart. Since Oldmixon 
Cling is sometimes semi-free and Oldmixon 
Free often clings more or less, the two are 
often confused in orchards and markets. Both 
of these Oldmixons are as hardy in wood 
and bud as any of the white-fleshed varieties. 
The blossoms of both appear in late mid- 
season, thereby often escaping frosts. The 
trees of Oldmixon Free, like those of Old- 
mixon Cling, have the fault of being unpro- 
ductive. Oldmixon Free is supposed to be an 
American seedling of Oldmixon Cling, origi- 
nating about 1800. 

Tree very large, vigorous, upright to spreading, hardy, 
rather unproductive. Leaves 6% inches long, 1^ 
inches wide, curled downward or flattened, obovate- 
lanceolate, leathery, dull ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole \^ inch 
long, glandless or with 1-4 small, globose glands. Flow- 
ers midseason, % inch across, pale pink near the 
center becoming darker pink at the outside, often in 
twos. Fruit late ; 2 % inches in diameter, round- 
cordate, often compressed, with unequal sides ; cavity 
deep, flaring, tinged with red ; suture shallow, becoming 
deeper toward the apex ; apex rounded, with recurved, 
mamelon tip ; color creamy-white overspread with a 
lively red blush in which are faint splashes and mot- 
tlings of darker red ; pubescence coarse, thick ; skin 
thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh white, 
deeply tinted with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, 
tender and melting, sweet, with more or less sprightli- 
nesa ; very good in quality ; stone free or nearly free, 
ovate, bulged, flattened near the base, with grooved 
and purplish-brown surfaces. 



ONDERDONK 



PEENTO 



.181 



ONDERDONK. Onderdonk was much 
talked of in Texas and the Southwest as 
a promising variety in the last years of the 
century just passed, but it does not seem 
to have come up to expectations, and is 
now little heard of, although it is listed in a 
few of the southern catalogs. It seems hardly 
to be known in the North outside of experi- 
ment station collections. Onderdonk bears the 
name of its originator, G. Onderdonk, Nursery, 
Texas. The following brief description is 
made from trees growing at Geneva, New 
York. 

Tree large, upright spreading, vigorous, rather un- 
productive in th» North ; leaves with reniform glands. 
Fruit midseason, medium to large, round-oblong, flat- 
tened ; suture distinct ending in a pointed apex ; skin 
lemon-yellow, sometimes with a bit of blush in the 
sun ; flesh yellow, firm, rich with a vinous, piquant 
flavor, tender, juicy ; quality fair to good ; pit of me- 
dium size, free. 

OPULENT. Opulent is a white-fleshed 
freestone peach of very mediocre character. 
The fruits are attractive in appearance, but 
not uncommonly so, and are often marred by 
peach-scab. The quality is scarcely better than 
the average, and is ruined for most peach- 
lovers by a bitter tang, though to others 
this almond-like bitterness in the flavor may 
be a commendation. The variety ripens in 
midseason. The trees are scarcely more satis- 
factorj' than the fruits, being unproductive and 
none too vigorous. Opulent was sent out by 
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, California, as 
a hybrid between the Muir peach and New 
White nectarine. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, with a ten- 
dency to droop, medium in productiveness. Leaves 6^ 
inches long, 1^ inches wide, flattened or curled down- 
ward, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely ser- 
rate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
^ inch long, with 1-6 small, globose and reniform, 
reddish-brown glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, 
white at the center of the petals becoming dark pink 
near the margins. Fruit early midseason; 2^ inches 
in diameter, round-oval, compressed, with unequal 
halves ; cavity deep, abrupt, often marked with red ; 
suture a line or very shallow, often a slight depression 
just beyond the point ; apex rounded, with a mucronate 
and recurved tip ; color creamy-white, with a faint 
blush, speckled and striped with darker red ; pubescence 
short ; skin tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh white, 
juicy, stringy, tender, melting, sweet but sprightly ; 
fair in quality ; stone free, ovate, flattened at tlie base, 
plump, short-pointed, with pitted surfaces marked by 
few grooves. 

PALLAS. Fig. 175. Pallas Honeydew. 
Pallas is one of the best of the several honey- 
flavored, beaked peaches. It is supposed to 
thrive only in warm climates, but in New 
York the trees are vigorous, appear to be 
hardy, and differ from northern varieties, so far 
as life events are concerned, only in holding 
their leaves longer. The fruits run small and 
lack uniformity in size, faults that will not 
permit Pallas ever to become a commercial 
sort in northern regions. Moreover, the 
peaches are not attractive in appearance, suffer 
terribly from bro^vn-rot, and do not ship well. 
In quality Pallas is almost unapproachable — so 
rich, sweet, aromatic, and delicious as well to 
justify the sobriquet, "Honeydew," bestowed 



upon it. This variety might well be planted in 
home orchards in the North, and is a stand- 
ard in the far South. Pallas is one of the 
many seedlings of Honey and originated in 
1878 with L. E. Berckmans, Augusta, Georgia. 




175. Pallas. (XVa) 

Tree medium in vigor, upright-spreading, round-topped, 
productive. Leaves fall late in the season, 6 inches 
long, 1^ inches wide, ovate-lanceolate, thin, leathery: 
margin sharply and often doubly serrate, glandular; 
petiole % inch long, stout, glandless or with 1-3 small, 
globose glands. Flowers midseason, light pink changing 
to dark red. Fruit early midseason ; 2 inches in diam- 
eter, pointed-oval, compressed, with halves equal ; cavity 
shallow, flaring, with tender skin ; suture shallow ; apex 
a characteristically long, straight beak ; color pale 
white, occasionally with a bright red blush but mostly 
with dull mottlings ; pubescence medium in amount ; 
skin thick, tough ; flesh white, scarcely stained at the 
pit, very juicy, sweet, tender and melting, high-flavored ; 
very good in quality ; stone free, ovate, slightly wedge- 
shaped at the base, plump, conspicuously winged, long- 
pointed, with pitted and grooved surfaces. 

PEARSON. Pearson is a large, handsome- 
ly-colored, white-fleshed, freestone peach of 
good quality, which ripens ten days before 
Champion. There are a good many white- 
fleshed peaches at this season, but Pearson is 
an exceptionally good one, much excelling 
Mamie Ross, with which it might have to 
compete, although the latter ripens a little 
later. The trees are very vigorous, productive, 
and healthy. Pearson originated with J. M. 
Pearson, McKinney, Texas. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, the lower branches 
drooping, ver>' productive. Leases 7 inches long. 1% 
inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; apex long and 
narrow ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with 
reddish-brown glands ; petiole i^ inch long, glandless 
or with 1-4 small, globose, reddish-brown glands. Flow- 
ers very early, 2 inches across, pink, usually single. 
Fruit early midseason ; round-oval or somewhat cordate, 
compressed, with unequal halves, bulged near the apex ; 
2 inches in diameter ; cavity medium to deep, abrupt, 
with tender skin ; suture quite variable in depth ; apex 
round or depressed, with a small, recurved, mamelon 
tip ; color greenish-white, with a blush covering much 
of the surface, more or less mottled ; pubescence thin, 
fine, short ; skin thin, tough, semi-free ; flesh white, 
faintly tinged with red near the pit, juicy, stringy, 
tender and melting, pleasantly flavored ; good in qual- 
ity ; stone semi-clinging or free, oval, flattened at the 
base, winged, with pitted surfaces. 

PEENTO. Chinese Flat. Flat Peach of 
China. Peento was the first variety of a group 
of peaches to which it gives its name, now 
common in the Gulf regions. The peach is 
flattened endwise, with a flat stone, so different 



182 



PHILLIPS CLING 



from the fruits of other members of Prunus 
as to make this about the most unique of all 
drupe-fruits. Besides being remarkable for 
shape, the fruits are distinguished by a rich, 
sweet flavor with a savor of the almond. With- 
out doubt, Peento is a descendant of the flat 
peaches of China, but the original tree came 
from Java to England, whence it was im- 
ported to America in 1828 by William Prince. 
The variety is a parent of a score of more 
worthy offspring, few of which are flat, how- 
ever. 

Tree vigorous, open-topped, tender in the North, pro- 
ductive. Leaves mature late, 1% inches long, l%o 
inches wide, oblong-oval, thin, leathery ; margin coarsely 
serrate; teeth tipped with dark glands; petiole with 
2 or 3 reniform glands of medium size, gray or greenish- 
yellow. Fruit early; H4 inches thiclc, 2V4 inches wide, 
Btrongly oblate; cavity shallow, very wide, flaring; 
suture deep, wide, extending two-thirds around the 
fruit; apex depressed, set in a large, wide, flaring 
basin ; color creamy-yellow, mottled and delicately pen- 
cilled with red, often blushed toward the apex ; pubes- 
cence short, thick ; skin thick, tough, nearly free ; flesh 
white, stained red at the stone, juicy, stringy, tender 
and melting, sweet, mild, with an almond-like flavor ; 
very good in quality ; stone clings, red, strongly oblate, 
with corrugated surfaces ; ventral suture very deep at 
the edges, narrow at the base, becoming wide at the 
apex ; dorsal suture a wide, deep groove, merging into 
a line at the apex. 

PHILLIPS CLING. Phillips Cling has the 
reputation of being the most popular yellow- 
fleshed clingstone grown in California for the 
great canning industry of that state. The 
fruits ripen progressively, so that picking 
covers from two to three weeks, and hang on 
the trees well even after fully mature. Their 
firmness enables them to be delivered to the 
cannery without bruising. Canners like the 
product because the peaches are of even size, 
of the same color from skin to stone, have 
a small pit, and the flesh is exceedingly rich 
in flavor and very highly colored. The trees 
are very large, vigorous, and heavy producers, 
but require rich land and an abundance of 
moisture. The variety originated with Joseph 
Phillips, Sutter County, California, sometime 
previous to 1889, when it was first described. 

Tree very large, upright, vigorous, healthy, very pro- 
ductive. Fruits 3 inches in diameter, round-oblong ; 
cavity deep, wide, abrupt ; apex rounded, usually with 
an erect tip ; skin golden-yellow with faint stripes of 
red and blushed on the sunny side ; pubescence short, 
fine ; skin thin, tender, adherent ; flesh yellow, juicy, 
fine-grained, firm, sweet and rich ; quality fair to good ; 
stone bulged at apex, flattened at the base, ovate, rather 
large, clinging tenaciously. 

PROLIFIC. New Prolific. Prolific waa 
heralded a quarter-century ago as a great 
acquisition to the peach-flora of the country, 
but it is doubtful if it is as popular now as 
it was a few years after its introduction. The 
trees are satisfactory, excelling most of their 
orchard associates in vigor, size, health, hardi- 
ness, and productiveness; but the peaches fall 
below the mark in several characters. The 
fruits are of but medium size, not uncommonly 
attractive in color, and too poor in quality to 
rate high among the peaches of its season, 
which is a few days before Elberta. The flesh 
is yellow, firm, dry, and little attacked by 



RED BIRD CLING 

rot. With the qualities just named, the fruits 
ship well and might be in demand in the mar- 
kets for culinary purposes. Prolific was intro- 
duced about 1890 by Greening Brothers, Mon- 
roe, Michigan, under the name New Prolific. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, becoming drooping, 
open-topped, very productive. Leaves 6V4 inches long, 
1% inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leathery; margin 
finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; 
petiole 1/4 inch long, with from 1-5 small, globose 
glands. Flowers early, IM inches across, white near 
the center becoming pink along the edges. Fruit mid- 
season ; m inches wide, round-oval, bulged on one 
side, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity deep, 
usually abrupt, frequently mottled with red ; suture a 
line, becoming deeper toward the tip ; apex round or 
somewhat pointed, with a recurved, mamelon tip ; color 
light orange, mottled and blushed with red ; pubescence 
thick, tine ; skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; 
flesh light yellow, stained with red near the pit, medium 
juicy, coarse, stringy, tender, sweet, mild, pleasantly 
flavored ; good in quality ; stone free, ovate, bulged on 
one side, plump, with long, pointed apex, with surfaces 
grooved and marked by small pits. 

RAY. This is another of the many early, 
white-fleshed, freestone peaches which are 
competing for favor among peach-growers. 
Several faults condemn it; worst of all, the 
trees are not productive. Add to unproduc- 
tiveness, lack of uniformity in size, shape, 
color and flavor of fruit, and the variety is 
out of the race as a commercial sort. Never- 
theless, Ray is well spoken of in several states. 
The varietv originated with D. Ray, Tyler, 
Texas, about 1890. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, the lower 
branches drooping, medium in productiveness. Leaves 
eVi inches long, 1% inches wide, flattened or curled 
downward, obovate-lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
^ inch long, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose 
glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, light pink 
becoming darker pink along the edges ; pedicels short. 
Fruit midseason ; 2^/4 inches in diameter, round-conic, 
compressed, with nearly equal halves ; cavity narrow, 
abrupt, with tender skin ; suture shallow, deepening 
toward and often extending beyond the tip ; apex round, 
with a mucronate tip ; color greenish-white with a 
bright pinkish-red blush, faintly mottled ; pubescence 
coarse, thick, long ; skin very thin, tough, separates 
from the pulp ; flesh greenish-white, stained with red 
near the pit, juicy, stringy, firm but tender, aromatic, 
sprightly ; good in quality ; stone semi-free to free, 
ovate, plump, with short point at the apex, with grooved 
and pitted surfaces. 

RED BIRD CLING. Some growers say 
that Red Bird Cling and Early Wheeler are 
identical, but the two varieties received from 
reliable nurserymen seem to be distinct on 
the grounds of the New Ttork Agricultural 
Experiment Station. The variety has been 
on probation in peach-growing sections of the 
United States for some fifteen or twenty years, 
but so far finds favor only in the southwestern 
part of the country, where, on account of its 
Isright red color, earliness, and fair shipping 
qualities, it proves to be a fairly good com- 
mercial sort. The tree is hardy, healthy, and 
holds its foliage very late. The variety was 
introduced by Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Mis- 
souri, about 1900. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open, mod- 
erately productive ; glands globose, variable in color. 
Flowers midseason, large, 1% inches across, pink. Fruit 
very early, 21^ inches in diameter, round-oval, irregular^ 
more or less" bulged at the apex ; cavity very deep. 



RED CHEEK MELOCOTON 



ROCHESTER 



183 



narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow on the sides but deep 
at the cavity ; apex often large and recurved, depressed ; 
color pale creamy-white, covered with lively red, often 
mottled with deeper red ; pubescence short and fine ; 
flesh white, red at the pit. juicy, tender, sweet ; fair 
to good ; stone oval, plump, long-pointed, clinging 
tenaciously. 

RED CHEEK MELOCOTON. Red 

Cheek. Malacatune. For nearly a century, 
beginning soon after the Revolutionary War, 
Red Cheek Melocoton had few rivals among 
yellow-fieshed, freestone peaches. Even yet 
it is surpassed in quality only by members of 
the Crawford family, of which it is supposed 
to be the immediate ancestor. Lack of vigor 
and unproductiveness have driven Red Cheek 
Melocoton from common cultivation — indeed 
it is now almost impossible to obtain the trees. 
It is an American seedling which sprang from 
a bud of a stock on which Lemon Cling had 
been grafted, at Flushing, New York, about 
1800. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
lacking in productiveness. Leaves TV*, inclies long, 2 
inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leather^" ; margin sharply 
serrate ; petiole ^ inch long, glandless or with 1-3 
small, globose, alternate glands. Blossoms midseason, 
small. Fruit midseason; 2^ inches in diameter, round- 
cordate, compressed, with halves nearly equal ; cavity 
wide, deep, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex rounded, with 
mamelon tip ; color deep golden-yellow, splashed, blushed 
and mottled with red ; pubescence heavy ; sltin thick, 
tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh rayed with red near 
the pit, yellow, juicy, firm but tender, sweet, pleasantly 
flavored ; good in quality ; stone free, ovate, more or 
less bulged at one side and drawn out near the base, 
plump, rather long-pointed, with short grooves and pits 
in the surfaces. 

REEVES. Fig. 176. Reeves' Favorite. 
Reeves is an old favorite now rapidly passing 
out of cultivation. In its day, it was justly 
celebrated for the high quality of its yellow- 




176. Reeves. (XVa) 

fleshed, freestone fruits, which are as hand- 
some as they are palatable. The peaches have 
two minor defects to keep them from perfec- 
tion: they are too irregular in shape, and some- 
times fall short in size. In texture of flesh, 
juiciness, taste, and aroma they are scarcely 
surpassed. The fault that condemns the va- 
riety is unproductiveness in the trees. To 
make up in some degree for unfruitfulness, 
the tree? are vigorous and more than usually 
hardy. Reeves is worthy of perpetuation for 
home orchards. This attractive peach came 



from a chance seedling found about 1840 by 
Samuel Reeves, Salem, New Jersey. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
hardy, unproductive. Leaves 6% inches long, 1% inches 
wide, obovate-lanceolate ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^^ inch long, 
glandless or with 1-3 small, globose glands. Flowers 
late, 1 inch across, light and dark pink. Fruit mid- 
season ; 2^ inches in diameter, round-cordate, com- 
pressed, with unequal halves ; cavity often very deep, 
abrupt, the skin tender and often marked with red ; 
suture shallow, sometimes extending beyond both cavity 
and tip : color deep yellow, blushed with dull red, 
striped, splashed and mottled with brighter red ; pubes- 
cence thick, long ; skin thick, tough, separates from 
the pulp ; flesh yellow, tinged with reii near the pit, 
juicy, stringy, tender and melting, pleasantly flavored, 
mild, sweet: very good in quality; stone free, oval, 
more or less bulged near the apex, sometimes winged 
along the veutral suture, with pitted surfaces. 

RIVERS. Early Rivers. Earliness and 
high quality of fruit keep Rivers alive in pri- 
vate places in America. No one would think 
of planting it in a commercial orchard because 
of its small fruits, which have tender skin and 
flesh showing every bruise, and its susceptibil- 
ity to brown-rot. The peach is a white-fleshed 
freestone, tender, juicy, with an exceedingly 
rich, sugary flavor with a savory smack of 
the nectarine; it is remarkable for beauty of 
flesh, which is white to the stone, translucent, 
and more or less mottled and interspersed with 
white veins. At their best, the fruits are rather 
large and quite handsome as they grow in 
America, but even so they are but a shadow 
of the peach described under this name in 
European fruit-books. The trees are fairly 
satisfactory in all essential characters. Rivers 
originated with Thomas Rivers, Sawbridge' 
worth, England, about 1865. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, with indina. 
tion to droop, round-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves 
5% inches long, 1^ inches wide, recur\'ed, obovate- 
lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth 
tipped with fine, reddish-brown glands ; petiole ii inch 
long, with 1-6 reniform, greenish-yellow glands. Flow- 
ers early, pink, l^ inches across, often in pairs. Fruit 
early, 2% inches in diameter, round-oval, compressed; 
cavity shallow, contracted, irregular, abrupt : suture 
medium to shallow : apex rounded, mucronate : color 
creamy-white blushed with red ; pubescence short, heavy ; 
skin thick but tender, adherent to the pulp ; flesh white, 
translucent, veined, juicy, melting, sweet or mildly 
sprightly : good in quality ; stone nearly free, oval, 
plump, bulged on one side, light-colored, short-pointed 
at the apex, with grooved surfaces. 




177. Rochester. (xVz) 

ROCHESTER. Fig. 177. Fruit-growers 
have long desired an early, yellow, freestone 
peach. There are several competitors for the 



184 



RUNYON ORANGE CLING 



SCHUMAKER 



place, the latest of which is Rochester, a mem- 
ber of the Crawford group, and in several re- 
spects a marked improvement on the well- 
known Early Crawford. Rochester precedes 
Early Crawford by several days, ripening soon 
after the middle of August. It has an un- 
usually long season, which under some cir- 
cumstances may be an asset, under others a 
liability. The peaches are large, yellow, with 
a handsome over-color of mottled red, more 
rotund than either of the two Crawford.?, — 
qualities which make a strikingly beautiful 
peach; the flesh is thick and firm, marbled 
yellow, stained with red at the pit, juicy, rich, 
sweet. Rochester seems to be sufficiently pro- 
ductive for a good commercial fruit, but it 
remains to be seen how generally it is adapted 
to soils and climates. The variety came from 
a seed planted about 1900 on a farm owned by 
a Mr. Wallen, Rochester, New York. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, more upright 
than Elberta, productive. Leaves 6 inches long, 1% 
inches wide, ovate-lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin 
shallowly crenate ; petiole 'A inch long, thick, with 
2-8 large, reniform glands. Flowers midseason, pale 
pink, 1 inch across. Fruit early midseason; 3-3 Vi 
inches in diameter, round-oblate, compressed, often 
bulged near the apex ; cavity wide, deep, flaring ; suture 
shallow, becoming deeper near the tip ; apex variable, 
with a mucronate tip ; color orange-yellow, blushed 
with deep, dark red, mottled ; pubescence heavy ; skin 
thick, tough, separates from tlie pulp ; flesh yellow, 
stained with red near the pit, very juicy, tender and 
melting, sweet, highly flavored, sprightly ; very good 
in quality ; stone free, oval, plump, flattened near the 
base, with roughened surface marked by large, deep 
pits and short grooves. 

RUNYON ORANGE CLING. This is an 
old variety at one time much grown in Cali- 
fornia, still esteemed and rather extensively 
planted in the Sacramento region, where some 
growers prefer it to the older Orange Cling. 
The variety seems never to have been grown 
in commercial orchards in the East. It origi- 
nated with Sol Runyon on the Sacramento 
River some time previous to 1889 when it 
was first described in Wickson's Calijornia 
Fruits. 

Trees vigorous, healthy, productive and not subject 
to mildew as are those of Orange Cling. Fruit mid- 
season, very large, yellow, with a dark crimson cheek ; 
flesh firm, rich, sugary, with a vinous flavor ; stone 
small, clinging. 

ST. JOHN. Yellow St. John. Crane. Un- 
productiveness and uncertainty in bearing keep 
this magnificent yellow-fleshed dessert fruit from 
being one of the most popular early peaches. 
Even with these handicaps, to which in many 
situations may be added small fruits, St. John 
has maintained great popularity for home 
orchards. The peach is one of the earliest of 
the Crawford group, a perfect freestone, hand- 
some in appearance, sweet, rich, and delicious 
in flavor. The fruits resemble those of Early 
Crawford in size and shape, but are a little 
naore rotund, somewhat smaller, not quite so 
high in quality, and ripen several days earlier. 
The trees are all that could be asked in size, 
vigor, and hardiness. The place and time of 
origin of St. John are unknown; it is more 
than a century old, came from the South, and 



has been widely planted in southern peach 
districts. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
unproductive. Leaves 6^ inches long, 1% inches wide, 
obovate-lanceolate, thick ; margin finely serrate, often in 
two series ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; 
petiole ^ inch long, glandless or with 1-5 small, globose 
glands. Blossoms midseason, 1 inch across, white 
toward the base of the petals, dark pink near the edges. 
Fruit early; 2% inches in diameter, round-oval, often 
bulged near the apex, usually compressed, with oblique 
sides ; cavity medium to deep, wide, abrupt or flaring, 
often tinged with red ; suture deep near the tip ; apex 
round or depressed, with a pointed tip ; color deep 
yellow, blushed and splashed with carmine ; pubescence 
thick and long ; skin thick, tough ; flesh light yellow, 
tinged with red near the pit, juicy, tender, pleasantly 
sprightly, highly flavored ; very good in quality ; stone 
free, ovate, plump, tapering to" a long point, with rough 
surfaces marked by large and small pits. 

SALWEY. Salway. Salwey is a yellow- 
fleshed, freestone peach of attractive appear- 
ance and good quality, neither handsome enough 
nor good enough in quality, however, to be con- 
sidered a first-class dessert fruit. On the other 
hand, it is one of the best sorts for canning, pre- 
serving, and evaporating. The trees are vigor- 
ous, hardy, healthy, and very productive, but, 
unfortunately, their crop is so late in northern 
peach regions that the variety cannot be de- 
pended upon. Possibly no other peach is more 
widely grown than Salwey. It is a standard 
sort in France, England, and in peach regions 
in America from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
and from Canada to the Gulf. This uncom- 
mon adaptability to diverse soils and climates 
ought to make it a valuable sort in peach- 
breeding. Salwey was raised in 1844 by 
Colonel Salwey, Egham Park, Surrey, England, 
from the seed of an Italian peach. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, be- 
coming drooping, dense-topped, very productive. Leaves 
7 inches long, 1% inches wide. ovate-lanc*olate, leath- 
ery ; apex acuminate ; upper surface dark, dull green, 
smooth, becoming rugose near the midrib ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
glandless or with 1-6 small, globose and reniform glands, 
1^ inch long. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, white 
at the center of the petals, becoming pink near the 
margins. Fruit very late; 2^ inches in diameter, 
round-cordate, bulged near the apex, compressed ; cavity 
deep, abrupt, often splashed with red ; suture shallow, 
often extending beyond the tip ; apex usually a small, 
elongated point ; color greenish-yellow, usually with a 
brownish-red blush, splashed witil dark red ; pubescence 
short, thick, fine ; skin thin, tough, adherent to the 
pulp ; flesh golden-yellow, faintly tinged with red 
near the pit, juicy, stringy, tender, becomes dry with 
age, sweet, pleasantly flavored, aromatic ; very good 
in quality; stone free, oval, very plump, pointed at 
the base, with large pits and short grooves in the 
surfaces. 

SCHUMAKER. Shoemaker^s Seedling. 
Schumaker, now grown only in western New 
York and Pennsylvania, for a long time was 
described as the earliest of the white-fleshed, 
clingstone peaches. There are other peaches 
as early, but this is the best flavored of them 
all. Moreover, when fully ripe it is almost a 
freestone. It is a handsome peach in color 
and shape, but the fruits are too small, — a 
fault that can be remedied in part by thinning. 
The trees are large, hardy, vigorous, and pro- 
ductive to a fault. With all these good quali- 
ties, the wonder is that Schumaker is not more 



SELLERS CLING 



STEVENS 



185 



popular as a commercial variety to open the 
season, but for some reason peach-growers are 
not pleased with it — probably because of the 
small size of the peaches. For a peach of its 
season, Schumaker is remarkably free from 
brown-rot. This variety originated as a seed- 
ling with Michael Schumaker, Fairview, Penn- 
sylvania, about 1870. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, becoming 
drooping, open- topped, productive. Leaves 6^ inches 
long, 1^ inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leathery; 
margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown 
glands ; petiole y^ inch long, glandless or with 1-4 
small, globose, reddish-brown glands. Flowers early ; 1 % 
inches across, pink. Fruit very early ; 2 inches in diam- 
eter, round, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity 
deep, flaring ; suture shallow ; apex ending in a re- 
curved tip ; color creamy-white, heavily blushed and 
often mottled with red ; pubescence short, thick ; skin 
thin, tender, separates from the pulp when fully ripe ; 
flesh white, very juicy, stringy, tender, sweet, aromatic, 
highly flavored ; very good in quality ; stone clinging, 
becoming semi-cling, oval, plump, inconspicuously 
winged, with corrugated surfaces. 

SELLERS CLING. Sellers Orange Cling. 
Canners in California recommend Sellers Cling 
as one of the best midsummer varieties for 
their trade. The variety finds favor with the 
growere because of the great productiveness of 
the trees. Althougih the product does not 
sell for so high a price as that of two or three 
other yellow-fleshed clingstones, the greater 
productiveness of the trees makes up for the 
difference in price. The peaches are handsome 
in color, uniform in size, and ripen at a favor- 
able period of the canning season. The va- 
riety originated on the ranch of S. A. Sellers, 
Contra Costa County, California, some time 
previous to 1889. 

Tree large, very vigorous, upright-spreading, one of 
the most productive of all peaches in California. Flow- 
ers small, pink with darker pink about the edges, 
appearing in midseason. Fruit late, very large, round- 
oblong, somewhat flattened ; suture distinct ; apex 
rounded with well-marked tip ; skin rich golden, some- 
times with a faint tinge of red ; flesh deep golden from 
skin to stone, very firm, moderately juicy, sweet and 
rich ; quality good to very good ; pit of medium size, 
plump at the point, flattened at the base, clinging 
tenaciously. 

SMOCK. Smock Freestone. Though little 
grown now, during the last half of the last 
century Smock was one of the leading com- 
mercial peaches of its season. The variety 
has so little to recommend it, however, that 
one must believe that reputation more than 
merit kept up its popularity. The trees are 
about all that could be desired, but the peaches 
are of but mediocre quality and not attractive 
in appearance, lacking in size and color, un- 
gainly in shape, and having but little uniform- 
ity in size, color, or shape. It is one of the 
latest yellow-fleshed peaches, and is said to 
be e.\cellent for culinary purposes. With so 
many better varieties of late yellow-fleshed, 
freestone peaches. Smock is hardly worth 
planting. It originated three-quarters of a 
century or more ago with a Mr. Smock, Mid- 
dletown, New Jersey. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, somewhat 
drooping, dense-topped, tall, usually very productive. 
Leaves GV* inches long, 1% inches wide, flattened or 



cun-ed downward, obovate-lanceolate, thick ; margin 
finely serrate ; teeth tipped with dark red glands ; 
petiole ^ inch long, with 1-5 small, globose or reniiorm 
glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, white at 
the center of the petals, light or dark pink near the 
edges, often in twos. Fruit very late ; 2 V^ inches in 
diameter, oval, irregular, compressed, with halves un- 
equal and somewhat angular ; cavity narrow, abrupt, 
contracted around the sides ; suture a line, becoming 
deeper toward the apex ; apex rounded, with a re- 
curved, mucronate tip ; color greenish-yellow or some- 
times orange-yellow, specked and mottled with dull, 
dark red or sometimes faintly tinted with a bronze 
blush ; pubescence very heavy, thick, fine ; skin thin, 
tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh .vellow, faintly 
tinged with red near the pit, tender, sprightly, pleasantly 
flavored ; good in quality ; stone free, obovate, bulged 
near the apex, flattened toward the base, with deeply 
grooved surfaces. 

SNEED. Peebles. Bowers. Sneed was at 
one time more or less grown in all the peach 
regions of the United States as an early com- 
mercial variety, but it has been very generally 
discarded except in California and the south- 
em Atlantic states. In northern peach-growing 
regions, the fruits run too small and are rather 
too poor in quality, although it is probably 
as well flavored as any other of the extra 
early peaches. Southern growers find it a fairly 
good early market sort, but surpassed by 
several others of its class. The variety origi- 
nated about 1885 with Judge J. L. T." Sneed, 
Nashville, Tennessee. 

Tree of medium size, rather weak in growth and but 
moderately productive ; glands small, globose, red. 
Flowers midseason, small, pink. Fruit very early, of 
medium size, 2M inches in diameter, round-oval, slightly 
compressed ; cavity medium in depth and width, abrupt ; 
suture distinct ; apex depressed, with a distinct tip ; 
color greenish-white, blushed and speckled with dark 
red ; pubescence rather short but thick ; skin thin, ten- 
der, parting from the flesh ; flesh greenish-white, juicy, 
a little stringy, tender, melting, with a mild subacid, 
pleasant fla\or ; quality good to very good ; stone large, 
clinging, oval, pointed. 

STEVENS. Fig. 178. Stevcn.s Rareripe. 
Stevens is a large, white and red, white-fleshed, 
freestone peach. The variety is best known 
as Stevens Rareripe, but the last part of the 
name is inapt, for the true rareripes are early 




178. Stevens. (XVs) 

ripening peaches, while with Stevens lateness 
is one of its prime assets. In quality, the 
fruits are e.xtra good, the flesh-characters pleas- 
ing in every respect. The flavor is a pleasant 
mingling of sweet and sour not found in many 
other peaches so late in the season. The ap- 
pearance is as alluring as the taste, the fruits 



186 



STINSON 



SUSQUEHANNA 



being almost perfect in color and shape. These 
late, white-fleshed peaches now seldom sell 
well, since they usually reach the markets in 
poor condition, but they are choice fruits for 
home use, and for this purpose Stevens should 
be planted in every home orchard. The va- 
riety has the reputation of being hardy in both 
wood and buds. Stevens originated about 1858 
on the farm of B. Stevens, Morristown, New 
Jersey. 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, with the lower 
branches inclined to droop, productive. Leaves 6 inches 
long, IVz inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, leathery; 
margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown 
glands ; petiole ^ inch long, glandless or with 1-6 
small, reniform glands. Flowers midseason, small, pale 
pink. Fruit late; 2% inches in diameter, round-oval, 
with nearly equal sides ; cavity deep, wide, abrupt ; 
suture deep, often extending beyond the tip ; apex 
rounded, with a strongly mucronate and recurved tip ; 
color greenish-white overlaid with purplish-red, often 
mottled or splashed with darker red ; pubescence short, 
fine ; skin thick, tough, adherent to the pulp ; flesh 
white, tinted with red near the pit and red underneath 
the deepest surface blush, juicy, coarse, sweet, sprightly ; 
good in quality ; stone nearly free, obovate, flattened at 
the base, plump, with grooved surfaces. 

STINSON. Sthison October. This is an 
old sort long since discarded in most peach- 
growing regions, but still to be found in peach 
orchards in the south Atlantic states. Some 
growers maintain that it is one of the most 
profitable late white-fleshed clingstones in the 
South for local markets. The fruits are a 
little too soft for distant shipment. The va- 
riety was first mentioned in the American 
Pomological Society report in 1881, but where, 
when, and by whom it was originated does not 
appear. The following description of the fruit 
is compiled; 

Fruit very late, large, broadly oval ; color creamy- 
white, shaded with dark purplish-red on the sunny side ; 
flesh white, veined with red and quite red at the pit, 
melting, verj' juicy, mildly subacid ; quality good to 
very good ; stone rather large, ovate, sharp-pointed, 
clinging tenaciously. 

STRAWBERRY. Rose. Strawberry is an 
old eastern sort long since discarded everj'- 
where in the United States except in Cali- 
fornia, where it is still grown somewhat in 
home orchards as an early white-fleshed va- 
riety. Perhaps the quality that best recom- 
mends it is the rich, sweet, distinctive flavor 
of the fruit. The variety was introduced by 
Thomas Hancock, Burlington, New Jersey, 
some time previous to 1841, when it was first 
described in Kenrick's New American Orchard. 
The following description is compiled: 

Fruit early, of medium size, round-oval ; skin pale 
yellow, marbled with dark red ; flesh white, juicy, melt- 
ing, rich with a sprightly, vinous, distinctive flavor ; pit 
oval, pointed, clinging. 

STUMP. Stump the World. Late Stump. 
Stump has long been a favorite white-fleshed, 
freestone, late peach of the Oldmixon type. 
The peach is not a handsome fruit, but makes 
up in quality what it lacks in looks. The 
flesh is melting, juicy, sparkling, rich and 
good, though dry and very mediocre when 
over-ripe. The peaches are too tender for dis- 



tant shipment, and the variety is of value only 
for local markets and home use. The trees 
are large, vigorous, hardy, healthy, and pro- 
ductive, with a shapely, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped head, — about all that could be 
desired in a peach-tree. In spite of the high 
quality of the peaches and the excellent tree- 
characters. Stump is steadily waning in popu- 
larity and will, no doubt, soon pass from cul- 
tivation. The variety originated in New 
Jersey nearly a century ago. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, productive. Leaves 6% inches long, 1% 
inches wide, folded downward, broad-oval, leathery ; 
margin finely serrate, often in two series ; teeth tipped 
with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^^ inch long, with 
1-4 globose glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, 
white at the center, becoming pink near the margin. 
Fruit late; 2^ inches in diameter, round-oval, com- 
pressed, with markedly unequal halves ; cavity shallow, 
often extending beyond the tip ; apex round or pointed, 
with a recurved, mucronate tip ; color creamy-white, 
blushed, mottled and feplashed with red ; pubescence 
long, thick, coarse ; skin thin, tough, separates from 
the pulp ; flesh white, strongly stained with red near 
the pit, juicy, tender and melting, sweet, rich, pleas- 
antly flavored, aromatic ; very good in quality ; stone 
nearly free, oval, plump, flattened toward the base, 
tapering to a long point, with grooved surfaces. 

SUMMER SNOW. Summer Snow is a 
curiosity with some value for culinary pur- 
poses. Its distinctive peculiarities are fruits 
almost pure white with flesh white as snow 
from skm to pit. The quality of the peach 
is poor, and the flesh clings to the pit so 
tenaciously that the fruits have no value what- 
soever for dessert, but are said to be excellent 
for pickling and to make a very good and a 
very distinctive canned product. There are 
no records of the origin of this peach, but it is 
doubtful whether it dates back more than a 
quarter of a century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, slightly 
drooping, productive. Leaves GM inches long, IV^ 
inches wide, obovate-lanceolate, thin ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
^ inch long, glandless or with 1-6 small, globose and 
reniform glands. Flowers midseason, 1^ inches across, 
white, sometimes in twos. Fruit late ; 2 ^ inches in 
diameter, round-cordate, somewhat angular, com- 
pressed, with unequal sides ; cavity deep, narrow, 
abrupt, contracted about the sides, twig-marked ; suture 
shallow, becoming deeper toward the tip ; color greenish- 
white changing to creamy-white, without blush ; pubes- 
cence long, thick, coarse ; skin thin, tender, adherent 
to the pulp ; flesh white to the pit, juicy, meaty, mildly 
sweet to sprightly ; fair in quality ; stone firmly cling- 
ing, broad-oval, often bulged near the apex, winged, 
with pitted surfaces marked with short grooves. 

SUSQUEHANNA. This old variety, a 
favorite in the East a generation ago, is now 
discarded in eastern regions, but is still rather 
commonly grown in California. Occasionally, 
also, it is to be found in southern orchards. 
Susquehanna originated with a Mr. Griffith on 
the banks of the Susquehanna River, Pennsyl- 
vania, the exact place and time unkno\vn, some 
time previous to 1856, when it was first de- 
scribed in the report of the American Po- 
mological Society. 

Tree large, upright, vigorous, very productive ; leaves 
large and luxuriant, with large, reniform gla.ids. Fruit 
midseason, very large, nearly round ; suture distinct ; 
skin rich yellow with a beautiful red cheek ; flesh 



THURBER 



TUSKENA 



187 



yellow, sweet, juicy, with a rich vinous flavor ; quality 
good to verj' good ; stone medium size, plump, long- 
pointed at the apex, perfectly free from the flesh. 

THURBER. Thurber is mediocre in all of 
its characters in the North, though perhaps 
the fruit is a little better in quality than the 
average white-fleshed, midseason freestone. In 
the South, however, the variety seems to be 
considered one of the best of its class, not only 
in quality, but also in size and appearance of 
fruit. The fruits are small in the North, while 
all descriptions of them in the South say they 
are large. The variety is worth planting in 
home orchards. Thurber is a seedling of Chi- 
nese Cling grown by L. E. Berckmans, Rome, 
Georgia, about 1870. 

Tree above medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
productive. Leaves 6 inches long. 1 ^ inches wide, 
flattened or curled downward, oliovate-lanceolate, leath- 
ery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish- 
brown glands ; petiole hii inch long, glandless or with 
1-4 small, globose glands. Flowers midseason, 1 inch 
across, light pink, darker along the edges, usually single. 
Fruit midseason; 2\^ inches in diameter, round-oval, 
somewhat compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity 
shallow, narrow, flaring or abrupt ; suture a line or very 
shallow ; apex round, with a recurved, mamelon tip ; 
color creamy-white, with splashes of dull red over a 
lively red blush ; pubescence long, coarse, thick ; skin 
thin, tough, variable in adherence to the pulp ; flesh 
white, deeply stained with red near the pit, juicy, ten- 
der and melting, pleasantly sprightly, aromatic ; good 
in quality ; stone free, oval, flattened toward the base, 
plump, tapering to a short point, often winged on the 
ventral suture, with surfaces pitted and marked by 
short groo\es. 

TRIANA. Triana is another of the honey- 
fleshed, beaked peaches, at home only in the 
far South. It can be grown, however, with 
about as much certainty as many other varie- 
ties in the North, Small size and poor ship- 
ping qualities in the fruits debar it from com- 
peting with commercial peaches in the North, 
but It is well worth planting in home orchards 
for the sake of variety, and because of its 
delicious flavor, a sort of scented sweetness 
wholly unknown in northern varieties. Triana 
originated about 1888 at the Glen Saint Mary 
Nurseries, Glen Saint Mary, Florida. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
productive. Leaves 5^/^ inches long. 1^ inches wide, 
slightly lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; 
petiole ^ inch long, with 1-5 small, reniform glands. 
Blossoms 1^ inches across, pale red. in dense clusters, 
usually single. Fruit late midseason ; 2 inches in 
diameter, oval, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity 
shallow, flaring ; suture of medium depth ; apex a long, 
mucronate tip ; color creamy-white, blushed, splashed 
and mottled with briglit red ; pubescence short, fine ; 
skin thin, tender, adhering to the pulp ; flesh white, 
faintly stained with red near the pit, tender, sweet, 
mild ; good in quality ; stone nearly free, elliptical, 
usually with pitted surfaces. 

TRIUMPH. Triumph is an extra early, 
yellow-fleshed peach so inferior in appearance 
and quality of fniit, and so subject to brown- 
rot, that it is not worth growing in any but 
the most northern peach regions, where, be- 
cause of great hardiness in wood and bud. it 
becomes a valuable variety. It is grown more 
or less, however. North and South, because it 
is one of the earliest yellov7-fleshed sorts, and 
because the trees bear regularly and abund- 



antly. The dark color and fuzzy pubescence 
detract materially from the appearance of the 
peach. Small pits somewhat offset the small 
size of the fruits. The peaches, if not attacked 
by brown-rot, stand shipment well. Though 
often put down as a clingstone, the peach is a 
semi-cling, and sometimes the stone is free. 
Triumph is one of several seedlings grown by 
J. D. Husted, Vineyard, Georgia, about 1895. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, with 
lower branches drooping, hardy, very productive. Leaves 
6 inches long, 1 ^ inches wide, obpvate-lanceolate, thin, 
leathery ; margin finely and shal'lowly serrate ; teeth 
tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole % inch long, 
glandless or with 1-4 very small, globose glands. Flow- 
ers early, 1^^ inches across, dark pink, sometimes in 
twos. Fruit early ; 2 inches in diameter, round-oval, 
compressed, with unequal sides ; cavity deep, abrupt, 
with tender skin ; suture shallow ; apex rounded, with 
a mamelon and recurved tip ; color pale yellow overlaid 
with dark red ; pubescence thick and long ; skin thin, 
adherent to the pulp ; ; flesh yellow, stained with red 
near the pit, juicy, firm, sprightly ; fair in quality ; 
stone semi-free to free, obovate, flattened, wedge-like at 
the base, bulged at one side near the apex, plump, with 
deeply grooved surfaces. 

TROTH. Troth's Early Rareripe. Troth's 
Early. Troth, the standard early peach in the 
middle of the last century, is now all but out 
of cultivation. It is still listed in a few nur- 
sery catalogs, and is still on the fruit-list of 
the American Pomological Society. Among 
the multitude of early peaches now grown. 
Troth cuts but a sorr>' figure in either tree- 
or fruit-characters. The variety originated 
in the first years of the nineteenth century, 
probably in New Jersey. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, very 
productive. Leaves 6^4 inches long. 1\ inches wide, 
obovate-lanceolate, leathery, dark, dull green, smooth 
becoming rugose near the midrib ; margin finely and 
shallowly serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown 
glands. Blossoms small, midseason. Fruit early mid- 
season ; 2 inches in diameter, round-oblate, compressed, 
with halves unequal ; cavity abrupt, irregular, often 
dotted and striped with red ; suture shallow, extending 
beyond the point ; apex depressed, with a mucronate 
tip ; color creamy-white, blushed with dark, dull red 
and with more or less heavy mottlings extending over 
more than half of the surface ; pubescence thick, short ; 
skin thin, tender, adheres to the pulp ; flesli white, 
tinged with red near the pit, tender, melting, pleas- 
antly flavored ; fair to good in quality ; stone free, oval, 
flattened toward the base, acute at the apex, with 
grooved surfaces. 

TUSKENA. Tuscan Cling. By common 
consent, Tuskena is one of the best early 
clingstone var'.eties for canning and shipping 
in California, where it is usually known as 
Tuscan Cling. In the markets, the peaches 
are always in great demand, and canners pay 
the highest price for them. The trees are ex- 
ceptionally vigorous and produce heavily. 
The variety is particularly adapted to the 
foothill sections of California. While Tuskena 
originated in the East many years ago, it is 
not now to be found elsewhere than in the 
Pacific states. The variety originated in Mis- 
sissippi sometime previous to 1873; was placed 
on the fruit list of the American Pomological 
Society in that year, but was dropped in 1875, 
but was replaced in 1899. 

Tree large, open, vigorous, healthy, productive. Fruit 
early, large, round-oval ; suture distinct ; apex round. 



18S 



VICTOR 



WALDO 



depressed ; cavity deep, abrupt ; skin yellow with a 
dark red cheek ; flesh yellow, red at the pit, firm, sweet 
but vinous, rich ; quality very good to best ; stone large, 
clinging. 

VICTOR. Early Victor. This variety is 
occasionally to be found in northern orchards, 
but its culture is confined almost wholly to 
Texas, where, because of its very early season, 
it is esteemed both for home orchards and for 
market. The peaches are characterized by a 
distinct almond flavor, at the same time sweet 
and rich, which makes it a favorite with con- 
noisseurs of good peaches. The variety is of 
unknown parentage, and originated with John 
B. Bass, Bass, Texas, some time previous to 
1901. 

Tree vigorous, upright, medium in size, open, healthy, 
productive. Fruit very early, medium in size, round- 
oblong ; color creamy-white with a red blush ; flesh 
creamy-white, melting, juicy, subacid, rich and sweet 
with decided almond flavor ; quality good to very good ; 
stone of medium size, plump, semi-cling. 

WADDELL. Fig. 179. Waddell is an early 
midseason. white-fleshed, semi-cling peach 
from Georgia, a very evident descendant of 
Chinese Cling. The variety is now widely 
grown and is everywhere esteemed as a com- 




179. Waddell. (xy2) 

mercial sort. Its chief competitor is Carman, 
compared with which the fruit ripens a few 
days earlier; is handsomer, in color at least, 
the two being very similar in size and shape; 
is of rather finer texture of flesh, better flav- 
ored; and is a better shipper. The variety has 
not been nearly so widely nor so generally 
planted as the better-known Carman, but it 
has been a greater factor in the success of a 
score or more of the big commercial peach- 
orchards. North and South, of the last few 
years. It is a particularly pleasing peach, and 
ought to be considered for every commercial 
plantation where a variety of its season is 
wanted. Waddell is a chance seedling found 
by William Waddell, Griffin, Georgia, about 
1890. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, spreading, with the 
lower branches inclined to droop, hardy, productive. 
Leaves 6 inches long, 1% inches wide, obovate-lance- 
olate, leathery ; margin finely serrate ; teeth tipped 
with reddish-brown glands ; petiole ^ inch long, with 
1-4 small, globose, reddish-brown glands. Flowers mid- 
season, 1% inches across, red becoming pale pink, in 
clusters of twos. Fruit early midseason; 2*4 inches in 
diameter, round-oval, compressed, with unequal halves ; 



cavity deep, abrupt, with tender skin, tinged with pink ; 
suture shallow, deepening toward the apex and extending 
beyond ; apex rounded, with a small, mucronate tip ; 
color creamy-white, blushed with red and with dull 
splashes of darker red ; pubescence thick ; skin tough, 
separates from the pulp ; flesh white, stained with 
pink near the pit, juicy, stringy, firm, sweet but 
sprightly, aromatic ; very good in quality ; stone semi- 
free to free, ovate ; ventral suture deeply grooved along 
the sides, faintly winged. 

WAGER. Fig. 180. Hardiness, productive- 
ness, and early bearing are the outstanding 
characters of Wager that give it a high place in 
the peach-list. The fruit is a yellow-fleshed 
freestone, none too attractive in coloring, al- 
ways rather small, and of only fair quality as a 




180. Wager. (XVz) 

dessert fruit, but excellent for canning, drying, 
and all culinary purposes. The variety comes 
true to seed, or nearly so. The fruits of Wager 
are not attractive enough, and the trees are too 
small to make the variety of much value in 
commercial plantations, but it is a very good 
peach for home orchards and one of the best 
of all where hardiness is a prime requisite. 
Several distinct peaches are sold by nursery- 
men as Wager. The variety originated some 
time previous to 1870 with Benjamin Wager, 
West Bloomfield, New York. 

Tree medium in size or small, upright-spreading, 
hardy, productive. Leaves 5\^ inches long, 1^ inches 
wide, obovate-lanceolate, thin, leathery ; margin finely 
serrate ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole 
hi inch long, 2-4 small, globose or rcniform glands. 
Flowers midseason, 1 inch across. Fruit midseason ; 
2^ inches in diameter, oval, sometimes conical, com- 
pressed, with unequal halves ; cavity abrupt, often 
mottled with red and with tender skin ; suture a line, 
becoming deeper toward the tip ; apex pointed, witii 
a mamelon, recurved tip ; color orange-yellow, blushed 
and mottled with dark red ; pubescence thick, long and 
fine ; skin thin, tough, separates from the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, faintly stained with red near the pit, meaty 
but tender, sweet, mild ; good in quality ; stone free, 
ovate, flattened near the base, with pitted surfaces, 
marked with few short grooves. 

WALDO. Waldo is a peach of the Peento 
type which ripens with Peento, and is consid- 
ered valuable for Florida and the coastal belt 
of the Gulf states. It is generally regarded 
as one of the best of its group for commercial 
purposes in the region in which it grows. The 
varietv originated from a seed of Peento 
planted bv T. K. Godbey, Waldo, Florida, 
about 1886. 

Tree large and productive, open-topped, healthy ; glands 
reniform. Fruit eai*ly, round-ovate, large ; suture shal- 
low but distinct ; apex blunt, often with a strongly 



WHEATLAND 



YELLOW RARERIPE 



marked, recurved tip ; skin yellow washed with a deli- 
cate red and with a distinct blush on the sunny side ; flesh 
yellowish-white, pinkish near the pit, juicy, the sweet, 
delicious flavor similar to that of Peento ; stone rather 
small. 

WHEATLAND. Wheatland is a large, 
yellow-fleshed, freestone peach of excellent 
quality, which ripens just before Late Craw- 
ford. It is popular in Michigan and very much 
grown in Colorado and LItah. The fruit is 
about all that could be desired, but the trees 
are so unproductive that the variety is seldom 
grown with profit. The beauty and high qual- 
ity of the fruit make Wheatland desirable for 
home orchards. The variety is a chance seed- 
ling found about 1870 on the grounds of Daniel 
E. Rogers, Scottsville, New York. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
with the lower branches drooping, hardy, rather unpro- 
ductive. Leaves 6^ inches long, 1% inches wide, 
obovate-lanceolate. leathery ; margin finely serrate ; 
teeth tipped with reddish-brown glands ; petiole -^ 
inch long, with one to five small, globose and reniform, 
reddish-brown glands. Flowers late, 1 inch across, light 
pink becoming darker along the edges. Fruit mid- 
season ; large, round ; suture j'ellow, blushed and mot- 
tled with red ; skin separates from the pulp ; flesh 
yellow, stained red around the pit, juicj, firm but 
tender, sweet, pleasantly flavored ; good in quality ; 
stone free, ovate, broad at the base, with pitted sur- 
faces. 

WONDERFUL. Wonderful originated in 
New Jersey about 1889, and, after being culti- 
vated in the East for a few years, was dis- 
carded in all peach regions except in the 
South and Southwest. The peaches are very 
similar -to those of Smock, with which they 
are often confused. It is doubtful whether 
the variety should have a place where the 
better known Smock can be grown. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
branches becoming drooped witii age, only moderately 
productive ; glands small, both gloliose and reniform 
in shape and varying in colcr. Flowers late, 1 inch 
in diameter, pale pink with darker pink at tlie edges. 
Fruit very late, medium in size, 2V2 inches in diameter, 



oval, drawn in along the suture ; cavity deep and narrow, 
abrupt ; suture shallow, sometimes very faint but deep- 
ening at the apex ; apex roundish with a mamelon tip 
which is often somewhat recurved ; color light golden- 
yellow freclUed with red, mottled, blushed and striped 
with deeper red ; pubescence thick, long and coarse ; skin- 
rather thick, tender and adherent to tlie flesh ; flesh yel- 
low, red at the pit, rather dry, coarse, somewhat stringy ; 
flavor sweet, ricii, sprightly ; quality fair to good ; stone 
free, obovate, long-pointed, brown tinged with purple. 

YELLOW RARERIPE. Early Orange 
Peach. Cutter's Yellow. A century ago Yel- 
low Rareripe was at the head of the list of 
yellow-fleshed, freestone peaches — fruits larg- 
est, handsomest, and best-flavored of all. Even 
now in fruit- and tree-characters, with the 
single exception of productiveness, Yellow 
Rareripe holds its own very well with the 
peaches of its type and -season. The chief 
fault is unproductiveness, to make up for 
which the trees usually bgar regularly and 
come in bearing early. The variety is now 
hardly worth planting commercially, being 
equalled in all characters by several j'ellow- 
fleshed peaches and surpassed in productive- 
ness by many; but, if the trees can be ob- 
tained, the variety might find a welcome place 
in home orchards. Yellow Rareripe originated 
near Flushing, New York, over a hundred 
years ago. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, rather un- 
productive. Leaves 6% inches long, 1% wide, obovate- 
lanceolate, leathery ; margin finely serrate and some- 
times in two series ; teeth tipped with reddish-brown 
glands ; petiole Vi inch long, glandless .or with l-i 
small, globose glands, i Flowers midseason, 1 inch across, 
light pink but darker along the edges, usually single. 
Fruit midseason ; 2 inches in diameter, wide, round- 
conic, compressed, with unequal halves ; cavity con- 
tracted and wrinkled about the sides, abrupt or flaring ; 
suture shallow ; apex round, with a mucronate or 
mamelon tip ; color orange-yellow, with a deep red 
blush, splashed and mottled with red ; pubescence thick, 
long, coarse ; skin thin, tender ; flesli yellow, tinged 
with red near the pit, juicy, fine-grained, tender and 
melting, sweet, pleasantly flavored ; good to very good 
in quality ; stone free, ovate, bulged near the apex, 
plump, tapering to a short point, with grooved and 
pitted surfaces. 



CHAPTER XII 

VARIETIES OF PLUMS 



Fifteen species of plums, several of which 
are divided into sub-species, and varieties to 
the number of more than 2,000, are now under 
cultivation, most of which have at one time 
or another been grown in North America. 
From these figures, it is hardly too much to 
say that, of all drupe-fruits, plums furnish 
the greatest diversity of kinds. Species and 
varieties give a greater range of colors, forms, 
sizes, flavors, aromas, and textures than any 
other hardy fruit. The plants are quite as 
diverse as the fruits: some plums are true 
trees with stout trunks and sturdy branches, 
while others are shrubs with slender branches; 
some species have thin, delicate leaves; others 
coarse, heavy foliage; the flowers of some are 
large and attractive, of others small, unat- 
tractive, and possessing a disagreeable odor. 
In geographical distribution, wild and culti- 
vated plums encircle the globe in the North 
Temperate Zone, the species and varieties be- 
ing adapted to great diversities of soil and 
climate. Varieties from twelve species are 
described in the Cyclopedia oj Hardy Fruits, 
practically all of which have come under the 
author's eye as grown at the Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York. 

ABUNDANCE. Fig. 181. P. salicina. 
Abundance is the best known of the Japanese 
plums. The two assets which have given the 
variety great popularity are adaptability to 




Abundance. (XD 



a wide diversity of soils and climates, and, as 
its name implies, abundance of fruit, for it 
bears not only heavily but also yearly. As a 
market plum. Abundance has several faults; 
the fruits ship and keep poorly, are subject 



to brown-rot, mature unevenly, and drop rather 
too readily as they ripen. The crop should 
be picked before quite ripe, as the plums 
develop in flavor best when picked early, and 
the dropping and rot are thus avoided. The 
variety is exceedingly variable, and undoubt- 
edly several well marked strains could be se- 
lected, some of which are not so hardy or 
otherwise so valuable as others. Abundance 
was imported from Japan by Luther Burbank 
in 1884. 

Tree large, vigorous, vasiform, open-topped, hardy, 
very productive. Lea^'es narrow-obovate, peach-like, 1^ 
inches wide, 3 V* inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; 
base cuneate ; margin very finely serrate, with small, brown 
glands ; petiole ^ inch long, pubescent along one side, 
red, glandless or witli 1-5 small, globose, green or 
reddish glands. Flowers appearing with the leaves, 
medium in size. Fruit early; 1^ inches in diameter, 
round-ovate, slightly compressed ; cavity medium in 
depth and width, abrupt, regular ; suture shallow, dis- 
tinct ; apex pointed ; color dark red, mottled ; bloom 
light ; dots numerous, russet, conspicuous ; stem ^ inch 
long, glabrous, parting easily from the fruit ; flesh 
yellow, very juicy, tender and melting, sweet, pleas- 
antly aromatic ; good ; stone clinging, oval, compressed, 
pointed, rough. 

AGEN. Fig. 182. P. domestica. D'Agen. 
French Prune. Petite Prune. Agen is largely 
grown for prune-making in France and Amer- 
ica. Several qual- 
ities admirably fit 
the fruits for cur- 
ing into prunes. 
Thus, the plum has 
a high percentage 
of sugar and solids, 
so that it cures 
readily into a firm, 
sweet, long -keep- 
ing prune, which, 
in cooking, needs 
comparatively lit- 
tle sugar; the 
plums are uniform 
in size; the trees 
bear regularly and 
abundantly ; the 
crop hangs well on 
the tree as it rip- 
ens, so that the 
curing really be- 
gins on the tree. 
Besides making 
most excellent 
pnmes, Agen is a 
very good dessert 
plum and ought to 
be in every home 
orchard as well as in every commercial planta- 
tion. Lack of size in the fruit is the defect in 




182. Agen. (XD 



190 



AITKIN 



ARCH DUKE 



191 



this variety which has kept it from being more 
largely grown outside of prune-making regions. 
The name is derived from Agen, a region in 
France where the variety is extensively grown. 
In 1856, Louis Pellier," San Jose, California, 
introduced Agen on the Pacific coast, where 
it soon became and still is the leading plum. 

Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves obovate, 1% inches 
wide, SVi "inches long, velvety, thickly pubescent; apex 
abruptly pointed ; base acute : margin doubly serrate ; 
petiole 1 inch long, slender, pubescent, tinged red, with 
2 or 3 small, globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 
midseason, 1^ inches across. Fruit late; IV2 by 1 inch, 
cboi'ate, the base necked, halves equal ; cavity shallow, 
narrow, flaring ; suture very shallow, indistinct ; apex 
roundish or flattened ; color violet-purple ; bloom light ; 
dots numerous, small, brown, obscure ; stem thick, 1 
inch long, glabrous, adhering to the fruit ; flesh greenish- 
yellow, tender, sweet, aromatic ; very good to best ; 
stone semi-free or free, oval, flattened, with pitted 
surfaces, abrupt at the base and apex. 

AITKIN. P. nigra. Bcatty. Itasca. Ait- 
kin is favorably mentioned and undoubtedly 
has value for the Northwest. The variety 
was found growing wild in Aitkin County, 
Minnesota, b.v D. C. Hazelton on land ad- 
joining his farm. It seemed to possess merit, 
and was introduced in 1896 by the Jewell 
Nurserj' Company, Lake City, Minnesota. Be- 
cause it originated near Itasca Lake, it has 
been confused with the Itasca plum, which 
preceded it by nearly ten years. 

Tree vigorous, productive, ripening its wood very 
early. Fruit earliest in season of its group ; large for 
its class, oval, deep red, with no bloom ; skin thin, 
not astringent ; flesh yellow, juicy, sweet and rich ; 
good ; stone large, oval flattened, clinging. 

AMERICA. P. Munsoniana X P- salicina. 
America is the most promising cross between 
P. Mwuoniana and P. salicina. The fruit is 
unusually attractive — golden-yellow with a 
red cheek and waxy lustre turning currant-red 
when ripe ; it ships exceptionally well ; and is 
of very good quality for cooking, but is with- 
out merit as a dessert plum. The Uees are 
large, very vigorous, as hardy as either of its 
parents, and enormously productive. The 
qualities of fruit and tree are such that the 
variety ought to succeed in commercial planta- 
tions in which any but the hardiest native 
plums are cultivated. America is almost free 
from rot. This variety is one of Luther Bur- 
bank's productions, introduced by the origina- 
tor in 1898. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, hardy, 
very productive. Leaves broadly lanceolate, peach-like, 
1^ inches wide, 3i/4 inches long, thin; apex taper- 
pointed ; base abrupt ; margin finely and doubly crenate, 
with numerous small, dark glands ; petiole ^/z inch 
long, tinged red, pubescent along one side, glandless or 
with 1 or 2 small, globose, reddish glands. Flowers 
midseason, ^2 inch across. Fruit early; 1^ inches in 
diameter, round-oval, halves equal ; cavity shallow, flar- 
ing ; suture shallow, a distinct line ; apex roundish ; 
color clear, dark, currant-red over golden-yellow, mot- 
tled ; bloom light ; dots numerous, small, white, in- 
conspicuous ; stem slender, ^/2 inch long, glabrous, 
adhering to the fruit ; flesh yellow, juicy, fibrous, 
tender, sweet ; fair in quality ; stone clinging, pointed, 
with pitted surfaces. 

APRICOT. P. domestica. Since John 
Parkinson described the "Apricocke" plum in 
1629, several types of this variety have ap- 



peared in literature; these have become so 
badly confused that it is impossible to separate 
them. Pomological writers now recognize at 
least two types, one of which is superior to 
the other. The better of these can. readily be 
identified as the "Abricotee" of Duhamel, and 
should be considered the true Apricot. Little 
is known of the early history .of this variety, 
except that it was very generally distributed 
throughout Europe early in the seventeenth 
century. The American Pomological Society 
rejected Apricot in 1858, though it is doubtful 
whether they had the true type. This variety 
is not to be confused with the P. Simonii, 
sometimes called "Apricot," or the native 
plum of the same name. 

Tree large, vigorous, productive. Fruit midseason ; 
large, roundish or slightly elongated, with prominent 
suture, yellow, blushed with red, overspread with thin 
bloom ; flesh yellow, sweet, pleasant, slightly musky ; 
good ; stone small, free. 

ARCH DUKE. Fig. 183. P. domestica. 
Arch Duke is one of the leading plums for 
the market. The qualities which give the 
fruit high place among commercial varieties 
are: large size, handsome color — a rich, dark 




Arch Duke. (XD 



purple with thick bloom — and firmness of flesh 
and skin, so that it both keeps and ships well. 
The plum of Arch Duke compared with that 
of Grand Duke, known by all plum-growers, 
is nearly as large, with neck thicker, the same 
color, bloom heavier, quality higher, flesh 
firmer, stone free, and season earlier. The 
tree-characters, like the fruit-characters, are all 
good. While this variety is suitable for both 
home and market use. it appears after a thor- 
ough test in many parts of the countrj- for 
nearly forty years to be especially well adapted 
for a market fruit. Arch Duke was raised by 
Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England, and 
was sent out in 1883. 



192 



ARCTIC 



BLACK BULLACE 



Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, hardy, very 
productive. Leaves oval, 1 ^^ inches wide, 3 Vz inches 
long, thick, stiff ; apex and base acute ; margin doubly 
serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole % inch long, 
pubescent along one side, tinged with red, usually with 
2 large, globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers IVs 
inches across. Fruit late; 1% by iVi inches, long-oval, 
compressed, necked ; cavity shallow, narrow, compressed, 
abrupt ; suture shallow, broad, prominent ; apex elong- 
ated ; color dark blue ; bloom heavy ; dots numerous, 
small, brownish-russet, inconspicuous ; stem often in- 
serted at one side of the base, % inch long, glabrous, 
adhering well to the fruit ; flesh deep golden -yellow, 
often reddish, juicy, coarse, firm, tender, sweet, pleas- 
ant ; good ; stone free, the cavity larger than the pit, 
long-oval, necked, abruptly tipped at the apex, reddish, 
rough. 

ARCTIC. P. domestica. Arctic is supposed 

to be preeminent in two qualities, hardiness 
and productiveness; but as to its hardiness 
pomologists do not agree. Downing says it is 
the hardiest plum known; in Michigan it is 
reported very tender in the nursery row; a 
Canadian writer says it is not hardy enough 
for Canada; and it is reputed in the prairie 
states to be not hardier than Lombard. The 
place of its origin, where few plums are grown, 
and the fact that it is one of but few plums 
that can be grown in parts of Canada and 
New Brunswick, establish the claim that it 
is one of the hardiest of the Domesticas, pos- 
sibly not hardier, however, than Lombard, 
Voronesh, and a few others. The small size 
and mediocre quality of the fruit and the 
dwarfish tree rule Arctic out where less hardy 
varieties can be grown. This variety was first 
noted in 1881 by Downing, who says it origi- 
nated on the grounds of A. T. Moore, Ashland, 
Maine. 

Tree small, upright-spreading, very hardy, productive, 
an early bearer, subject to attacks of fungi. Leaves 
obovate, 2 inches wide, 3% inches long ; acute ; base 
acute ; margin finely serrate, with small, black glands ; 
petiole % inch long, tinged with red, pubescent, with 
1-4 globose, green glands. Flowers 1% inches across. 
Fruit midseason ; 1^ by IM inches, oval, slightly 
swollen on the suture side, compressed, halves equal ; 
cavity very shallow and narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow, 
indistinct ; apex roundish ; color purplish-black ; bloom 
heav}' ; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous, 
clustered about the apex ; stem slender, 1 inch long, 
pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; flesh light yellow, 
juicy, coarse, fibrous, firm but tender, sweet ; fair in 
quality ; stone nearly free, characteristically small, oval, 
flattened at the apex, acute at the base, rough, pitted. 

BARTLETT. P. salicinaXP. Simonii. 
Bartlett was grown by Biirbank from a cross 
of P. Simonii with Delaware, the latter one of 
his earliest hybrids. The originator disposed 
of the variety in 1899; it immediately became 
popular with nurserymen, and was soon offered 
for sale in all parts of the United States. 
Fruit-growers have not received it so well, 
however, and most of those who have tried it 
have discarded it, or hold the variety as a 
curiosity. The fruit is attractive in appear- 
ance, and the Bartlett pear flavor is agreeable, 
but the skin cracks badly, and the flesh is too 
soft for shipping. The tree with its stiff, up- 
right branches resembles a Lombardy poplar; 
its bright, glossy-green foliage makes it an 
attractive ornamental. It is further peculiar 
in bearing thick clusters of flowers at the ends 
of lateral spurs. 



Tree lacking in size and vigor, upright, open-topped, 
not very hardy, productive. Leaves oblanceolate, 1% 
inches wide, 3^ inches long, thin; margin finely ser- 
rate, in 2 series, eglandular or with small, dark glands ; 
petiole slender with 1-4 small glands. Flowers appear- 
ing before the leaves. Fruit very early ; 1^ by 1 ^ 
inches, long-cordate, dark purplish-red over yellow ; 
flesh yellow, tender, sweet, with a peculiar but pleasant 
flavor ; good ; stone clinging, elongated-ovate, narrow, 
blunt at the base, long drawn out at the apes, the 
surfaces rough. 

BAVAY. Fig. 184. P. domestica. Bavay's 
Green Gage. Bavai/s Reine Claude. Bavay 
is one of the best of the green plums — a 
worthy rival in all respects and in some su- 
perior to its parent Reine Claude. The fruit 
is unexcelled for dessert, and its delicious flavor 
is retained in cook- 
ing, making the 
somewhat rare 
combination of a 
first-rate dessert 
and a first-rate 
culinary plum. It 
is also a good mar- 
ket plum, keeping 
and shipping well. 
The flavor is not 
quite equal to that 
of Reine Claude, 
but in tree charac- 
ters Bavay sur- 
passes t h e older 
variety. The trees 
bear young, annu- 
ally, and heavily, 
sometimes too 
heavily, and while 
not so hardy, so 
large, robust, or 
long-lived as could 

be wished, yet in these respects they are 
superior to those of most of the varieties of 
Reine Claude plums. Some horticulturists 
recommend that Bavay be top-worked on a 
more vigorous, hardy, and long-lived stock, 
but the behavior of trees so treated makes 
top-working a very doubtful expedient. Bavay 
is indispensable in home orchards, and can be 
recommended for much more general planting 
in commercial plantations. This variety is a 
seedling of Reine Claude produced by Major 
Esperen, Mechlin, Belgium, about 1832. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, hardy, very productive. Leaves oval, wide, 
long, thick ; apex acute ; margin crenate, glandless ; 
petiole thick, long, tinged with red, glandless or with 
1-3 globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 1^ inch 
across. Fruit late ; of medium size, round-oval, halves 
equal ; cavity abrupt ; suture a line ; apex roundish ; 
color straw-yellow, obscurely streaked and splashed ; 
bloom light ; dots numerous, small, gray, obscure, clus- 
tered about the apex ; stem thick, short, pubescent, 
adhering to the fruit ; flesh rich golden-yellow, juicy, 
fibrous, tender, sweet, pleasant ; very good ; stone free, 
oval, necked, blunt at the apex, with pitted surfaces. 

BLACK BULLACE. P. insitilia. This 
variety is interesting as an early type of the 
Insititia plums, its thorny branches, wayward 
growth, small and austere fruit, all bespeaking 
a wild fruit. The plums when ripened by 
frost are not unpleasant to taste, and are borne 




184. Bavay. (XD 




Plate IX. — Shropshire Plum. 



BRADSHAW 



CHABOT 



193 



in prodigious quantities. The variety, how- 
ever, is surpassed by many other Insititias, 
and has little value other than to show the 
steps between wild and cultivated fruits. Black 
Bullace is one of the oldest cultivated plums, 
and all data in regard to its origin have been 
lost. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright, dense-topped, 
hardy, ven- productive. Leaves oval, 1^^ inches wide, 
2Vi inches long; apex abruptly acute; base acute; 
margin serrate or crenate, with a few, small, dark 
glands ; petiole % inch long, green, thickly pubescent, 
glandless or with 1 or 2 small, gloi)Ose, greenish-brown 
glands. Flowers % inch across. Fruit late; l^A by 1 
inch, oval, necked, halves 'equal ; cavity small, shallow, 
narrow, flaring ; suture lacking ; apex roundisli, with 
stigma adhering ; color purplish-black ; bloom heavy ; 
dots numerous, small, brown, inconspicuous ; stem % 
inch long, pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; flesh 
greenish-yellow, juicy, fibrous, firm, sour ; stone cling- 
ing, necked at the base, acute at the apex, with 
pitted surfaces. 

BRADSHAW. Fig. 185. P. domcstica. 
Black Imperial. Blue Imperial. Niagara. A 
study of this variety doessnot justify its great 
popularity. The 
trees grow slowly 
and are tardy in 
coming into bear- 
ing; the fruit is not 
especially high in 
quality, and in many 
regions is attacked 
by brown-rot too 
freely for profitable 
orchard culture. To 
offset these faults, 
the trees are large, 
well formed, bear 
regularly and heav- 
ily, are robust and 
healthy ; and the 
plums are large, at- 
tractive in appear- 
ance, and keep and 
ship well, especially 
if picked a little 
green. The variety is not nearly so badly 
attacked by San Jose scale as other plums. 
Probably one of the reasons why Bradshaw 
is so largely grown is that it is easily handled 
in the nursery and quickly makes a very good 
nursery tree. The value of the crop is greatly 
lessened because it ripens in the midst of the 
peach season. The origin of this plum is not 
known; it was named by C. M. Hovey in 1846. 

Tree large, vigorous, broad-vasiform, dense-topped, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves -drooping, obovate, 2 
inches wide, i% inches long, thick; apex acute; ijase 
abrupt ; margin not regular, coarsely crenate or serrate, 
eglandular or with a few, small, dark glands ; petiole 
% inch long, pubescent, red, glandless or with 1-3 
large, globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 1 3/16 
inches across. Fruit midseason ; 2 by 1% inches, oval, 
compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, 
abrupt, with a fleshy ring around the stem ; suture 
very shallow ; apex flattened ; .color dark reddish-purple ; 
bloom heavy ; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicu- 
ous clustered about the apex ; stem thick, 1 inch long, 
pubescent, adhering strongly to the fruit ; flesh dull 
yellow, often with a trace of red, juicy, fibrous, tender, 
sweet, pleasant ; good ; stone semi-free, flattened, ir- 
regularly oval, necked at the base, blunt at the apex, 
strongly roughened and pitted. 



BURBANK. Fig. 186. P. salicina. Wassu. 
Abundance holds first place among Japanese 
plums, but Burbank is a close second, and in 
many localities has preference. Abundance is 
in the lead because its trees are larger, better 
formed, and bear more fruit than those of 
Burbank. To offset the advantages of Abund- 





186. Burbank. (XI) 

ance, the fruit of Burbank is of better quality, 
more handsomely colored, keeps and ships 
better, is less susceptible to brown-rot; and 
ripens a week or more later, which in most 
seasons is a slight advantage. The trees of 
this plum are distinguished from those of all 
other plums by their low, spreading habit, 
flat top, and drooping branches, characters 
which make them more or less difficult to 
handle in the orchard and nursery. The wood 
of Burbank is brittle, a serious defect. The 
fruit begins to color some days before ripe, 
and should be picked before mature if it is 
to be kept or shipped. Thinning is necessary 
in all commercial orchards. The variety does 
not thrive in the South, the fruit being poor 
in quality and rotting badly. Burbank was 
produced from a plum pit sent to Luther Bur- 
bank by a Japanese agent in 1883. 

Tree large, vigorous, distinguished by its low, sprawl- 
ing haldt and flat, open top, unusually hardv, very 
productive, healthy. Leaves broadly oblaiiceolate, 
peach-like, 1 inch wide, 3% inches long, thin; apex 
taper-pointed ; base cuneate ; margin finely and doubly 
serrate, with small amber or reddish glands ; petiole 
T°B inch long, sparingly hairy on one side, tinged 
red, with 1-4 small, reniform or globose glands. Flow- 
ers appearing with the leaves. Fruit early ; va'riable in 
size, large, 1% inches in diameter, round-conic, halves 
equal ; cavity deep, abrupt, regular ; suture shallow ; 
apex roundish ; color dark red over a yellow ground, 
mottled ; bloom heavy ; dots numerous, large, russet, 
conspicuous ; stem % inch long, glabrous, parting readily 
from the fruit ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, tender, firm, 
sweet, aromatic ; good ; stone clinging, round-oval, 
turgid, blunt but sharp-tipped, rough. 

CHABOT. Fig. 187. P. salicina. Babcock. 
Bailey. Chase. Douglas. Orient. Paragon. 
Yellow Japan. The fruits of Chabot are large, 
beautifully molded, handsomely mottled in 
shades of red over yellow with occasional 



194 



CHALCO 



CLIMAX 



splashes of russet, and have a heavy but del- 
icate bloom. To secure the best coloring, the 
fruit must be picked before ripe and be ma- 
tured in dark storage. Early picking is neces- 
sary', also, because the season of ripening is long, 
and the fniit drops badly if permitted to hang 
on the trees until fully ripe. Unfortunately, 
the quality of the fruit belies its appearance, 




187. Chabot. (XD 

being at best not above average. The plums 
are firm, ship well, and keep rather better 
than those of any other variety of its species. 
The trees are hardy and dependable in bearing, 
but are not productive. The blossoms of 
Chabot open late, so that this sort escapes 
frosts which injure other varieties of its species. 
The stamens are often short, undeveloped, and 
wholly or in part sterile. Chabot was im- 
ported from Japan by a Mr. Chabot, Berkeley, 
California, and was introduced by Luther Bur- 
bank in 1886. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
slow-growing, hardy, productive, susceptible to attacks 
of shot-hole fungus. Leaves obovate, peach-like, 1^ 
inches wide, 3 inches long, thin ; apex acutely pointed ; 
base cuneate ; margin finely serrate, with small, amber 
or dark red glands ; petiole ^s inch long, slender, 
pubescent along the upper surface, heavily tinged with 
red, glandless or with 1-6 small, globose or reniforra, 
greenish-brown glands. Fruit midseason ; 1% inches 
in diameter, cordate or roundish, halves equal ; cavity 
deep, flaring, with concentric, russet rings ; suture dis- 
tinct ; apex roundish or pointed ; color light and dark 
shades of red over yellow, mottled, with occasional 
splashes of russet ; bloom heavy ; dots numerous, small, 
russet or yellow, conspicuous, clustered around the apex ; 
stem thick, ^ inch long, adhering to the fruit ; flesh 
golden-yellow, very juicy, coarse, fibrous, tender, melt- 
ing, sweet, sprightly ; good ; stone clinging, oval, turgid, 
necked, with pitted surfaces. 

CHALCO. P. Simonii X P- salicina. Chalco 
has been extensively advertised, but it is 
doubtful whether it will ever be grown commer- 
cially. The trees are slow in coming into bear- 
ing; the fruits are small; and the flavor such 
that consumers will have to learn to like it, al- 
though it is much better in quality than the 
Simon plum, one of its parents. The tree is 
better than that of the Simon plum or of the 
Wickson, the two plums with which it must 



be compared. Burbank, in introducing this 
plum in 1898, stated that it was the first fruit 
offered after twelve years' work in crossing 
P. Simonii with P. salicina and American 
species. The parentage of Chalco is given as 
a Simon-Burbank cross. 

Tree vigorous, upright or vasiform, very productive ; 
leaves large, dark green. Fruit matures shortly before 
Burbank ; large, when well grown, oblate, dark red ; flesh 
yellowish, firm, very juicy, aromatic, sweet ; good ; 
stone small, oval, slightly flattened, semi-free. 

CHENEY. P. nigra. Cheney is of little 
value except towards the northern limits of 
fruit-culture in America, where, because of 
its great hardiness, it is a most desirable fruit- 
plant. The fruit of this variety is not such 
as to recommend it where other species can 
be grown, but the tree has some characters 
most desirable wherever plums are grown — 
hardiness, vigor, productiveness, and good 
form. The trees are very ornamental whether 
in flower, full leaf, or fruit, but especially 
when in full bloom, as they bear a great pro- 
fusion of large white flowers which change to 
pink before falling. Cheney was discovered 
by E. Markle, La Crosse, Wisconsin, about 
1880. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive, bears early. Leaves oval, 1% inches wide, 
3^ inches long, thin; apex taper-pointed; margin 
crenaie, usually in two series, sometimes with small, 
dark glands ; petiole Vz inch long, slender, pubescent, 
tinged red, glandless or with from 1 to 3 small, globose, 
greenish-yellow glands. Flowers showy, about 1 inch 
across, white changing to pink. Fruit midseason ; 
medium in size, round-oval, oblique, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow, regular, flaring ; suture a line ; apex 
roundish, oblique ; color deep carmine on a yellow 
ground ; bloom light ; dots numerous, very small, russet, 
densely clustered about the apex ; stem slender, % 
inch in length, pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; flesh 
deep yellow, very juicy, fibrous, tender, melting, sweet 
next to the skin, tart at the center ; fair in quality ; 
stone adhering, broadly oval, distinctly flattened, blunt- 
pointed, with ridged and furrowed surfaces. 

CLIMAX. P. salicina X P- Simonii. Royal. 
From its behavior in the plum-growing re- 
gions of the East, it seems certain that Climax 
cannot stand the vicissitudes of the climate, 
since it suffers both in winter and in summer. 
The trees, in size, vigor, and habit of growth, 
are inferior to those of most Japanese varieties, 
and are not so productive. The fruit is hand- 
some in shape and color, and is of good qual- 
ity. Unfortunately, the fruit is very susceptible 
to brown-rot, so much so that Climax could 
hardly become a profitable commercial plum 
where this fungus is found. The variety has 
been well tested, and has proved so uniformly 
disappointing in tree-characters that it cannot 
be recommended except for the home collec- 
tion, in which, because of the beauty and high 
quality of the fruit, it is most desirable. 
Climax is another of Luther Burbank's plums, 
having been introduced in 1899. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, straggling, 
dense-topped, semi-hardy, medium productive. Leaves 
oblanceolate, peach-like, 1^ inches wide, 3^ inches 
long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; base cuneate ; margin 
finely serrate or crenate, with small, dark brown glands ; 
petiole •i's inch long, sparsely pubescent, tinged red, 
glandless or with 1-7 small, globose or slightly com- 



CLYMAN 



DE CARADEUC 



195 



pressed, reddish glands. Fruit very early; 1% inches 
in diameter, cordate, compressed, halves unequal ; 
cavity deep, abrupt, regular, marked with faint, reddish, 
radiating streaks ; suture deep, broad ; apex pointed : 
color dark red, mottled ; bloom heavy ; dots numerous, 
variable in size, russet, conspicuous, clustered about 
the base ; stem thick, ts inch long, glabrous, part- 
ing readily from the fruit ; flesh yellow, very juicy, 
fibrous, tender, melting, sweet, aromatic ; good ; stone 
adhering, long-oval, pointed, rough. 

CLYMAN. P. domestica. Clyman has spe- 
cial merit as one of the earliest good Do- 
mestioas. The fruit resembles that of Lom- 
bard, but is smaller and much better in quality. 
As grown in California, the product commands 
high prices for shipping eastward. The variety 
has a few serious faults; the plums are sus- 
ceptible to rot; they drop as soon as ripe; and 
the trees seem not to be quite hardy in New 
York, although in Ohio they are said to be 
"rather hardier than those of most other 
European sorts." The variety is characterized 
by flowers bearing very long stamens. Clyman 
well deserves trial, with the possibility that 
it may prove to be the best of our early Do- 
mesticas. This plum was raised from a Peach 
plum-stone planted in 1866 by Mrs. Hannah 
Clyman, Napa City, California. 

Tree large, vigorous, round and •dense-topped, semi- 
hardy, productive. Leaves obovate. 2 inches wide, ^Vi 
inches long ; apex abruptly pointed, base acute ; margin 
serrate or crenate, covered with small, dark glands ; 
petiole 1 inch long, pubescent, reddisli, glandless or 
with 1-3 globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 1% 
inches across. Fruit very early; IV^ by 1% inches, 
oval, halves equal ; cavity narrow, abrupt, regular ; 
suture shallow and often indistinct ; apex roundish or 
slightly depressed ; color dai*k purplish-red ; bloom 
heavy ; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous ; 
stem % inch long, pubescent, parting readily from the 
fruit ; flesh pale yellow, dry, firm, sweet, mild, pleasant ; 
of good quality ; stone free, flattened, irregular-oval, 
with pitted surfaces, tapering abruptly at the base, acute 
at the apex. 

COLUMBIA. P. domestica. When grown 
on strong soils and in some climates, Columbia 
is possibly a plum of value and sometimes of 
superiority, but in the average plantation it 
falls far short of other fruits of its type — that 
of Reine Claude. The trees are productive, 
and the fruits are large and handsome, but not 
of highest quality; moreover, they drop badly 
and are very susceptible to the brown-rot. Co- 
lumbia originated early in the second quarter 
of the nineteenth century with L. V. Lawrence, 
Hudson, New York, from a seed of Reine 
Claude. 

Tree large, medium in vigor, upright-spreading, open- 
topped, productive. Leaves 2 inches wide, 4^ inches 
long, oval, thick, leathery ; margin serrate or crenate, 
with small, dark glands ; petiole thick, tinged red, 
pubescent, with 1-3 globose glands. Fruit midseason ; 
1^ inches in diameter, round-oval, small specimens 
ovate, dark purplish-red ; bloom heavy ; stem surrounded 
by a fleshy ring at the cavity ; flesh golden-yellow, dry, 
sweet, mild ; good ; stone semi-free or free, round-oval, 
flattened. 

COMPASS. P. Bcsseyi X P- hortulana 
Mineri. Compass Cherry. Heideman Sand 
Cherry. In 1891, H. Knudson, Springfield, 
Minnesota, pollinated Sand cherry with pollen 
from the Miner plum. The seed of the result- 
ing cross was planted, and in 1894 produced 



fruit. In 1893, C. W. H. Heideman, New 
Ulm, Minnesota, took cions from this tree. 
In 1895, Heideman introduced the Heideman 
Sand cherry, "a hybrid between the Sand 
cherry and a plum." Subsequently, C. W. 
Sampson, Eureka, Minnesota, introduced 
Knudson's plum under the name Compass. 
The variety is of interest to plant-breeders, 
and may have some commercial value in the 
Northwest. 

Tree small, spreading, open-topped, productive ; 
branchlets marked by very conspicuous, large, raised 
lenticels. Leaves 1 inch wide, 3 inches long ; margin 
serrate ; petiole tinged red, glandless or with 1-3 globose 
glands on the base of the leaf. Flowers % inch across. 
Fruit early ; 1 by % inch, ovate, dark red, the skin 
speckled with small red dots before fully ripe ; skin 
tough, astringent ; flesh light yellow, very juicy, melt- 
ing, subacid except near the skin ; poor ; stone clinging, 
large, elongated-oval, with smooth surfaces. 

DAMSON. P. insititia. The common Dam- 
son, the Damson of the ancients, probably 
little changed since before Christ's time, is 
still worthy of cultivation, even though a 
score or more of its offspring are offered to 
take its place. In productiveness, vigor of 
tree, and hardiness, it surpasses any of its kind, 
and while its fruits are smaller and more 
astringent than those of the best of its off- 
spring, they are not surpassed for the chief 
uses of all Damsons — the making of preserves. 
The great asset of Damson is its adaptability 
to various soils and climates, as it surpasses 
in this respect all newcomers of its type. So, 
while undoubtedly some of the improved Dam- 
sons are better than the parent variety under 
many conditions, there yet remain localities in 
which the original stock is possibly most valu- 
able. Damson takes its name from Damascus, 
whence it was brought into Italy at least a 
century before the Christian era. What is a 
Damson? In England and America it is an 
oval, black Insititia. The European continental 
countries have an entirely different conception 
of a Damson. The Germans speak of all com- 
mon plums as "Damson-like" while the French 
use the term "Damas" indiscriminately. The 
English have not always sharply distinguished 
Damson, for Parkinson, in 1629, speaks of "the 
great Damaske or Damson Plummes" as sweet 
prunes imported from France; and Gerard, in 
1636, described the Damson tree as synony- 
mous with the plum. 

DE CARADEUC. P. cerasijera. Cara- 
deuc. De Caradeuc is one of the few repre- 
sentatives of P. cerasijera cultivated for fruit. 
The plums are garnet-red, very attractive in 
appearance, and are borne so much earlier 
than those of other species that the variety 
may be worth planting in home orchards to 
lengthen the season and for the sake of va- 
riety. De Caradeuc is grown rather commonly 
in the South, where the fruits are said to keep 
well and not to rot. The trees are handsome 
ornamentals bearing remarkably rich, green 
foliage, and a profusion of white flowers, w'hich 
are followed by beautifully colored fruits. The 
variety can be recommended for lawns or 



196 



DE SOTO 



DOWNING 



parks in which a small, compact, flowering 
tree is wanted. De Caradeuc originated with 

A. De Caradeuc, Aiken, South Carolina, be- 
tween 1850 and 1854. 

Tree very large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, 
variable in productiveness. Leaves oval, 1 inch wide, 
2 inches long, thin ; apex acute ; base broadly cuneate ; 
margin often in two series of fine serrations, without 
glands ; petiole slender, Yz inch long, pubescent, tinged 
with red, eglandular or with 1 or 2 very small, globose, 
greenish glands. Flowers 1 inch across. Fruit very 
early; 1^ inches in diameter, round, halves usually 
equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt, regular ; suture 
a dark line ; apex roundish ; color crimson-red over a 
yellow ground ; bloom light ; dots few, light, russet, 
clustered about the apes ; stem slender, % inch in 
length, glabrous, adhering to the fruit ; flesh yellow, 
very juicy, fibrous, tender and melting ; sweet ; poor 
in quality ; stone clinging, round-oval, turgid, blunt, 
with pitted surfaces. 

DE SOTO. Fig. 188. P. americana. Tray- 
er. De Soto holds first place among Americana 
plums in the favor of fruit-growers. The va- 
riety is better suited to the orchard than other 
Americanas, having 
little of the way- 
wardness in tree of 
most sorts of its 
species. The trees, 
also, are enormously 
productive, so much 
so that in many 
cases their vitality is 
weakened by over- 
bearing, unless 
thinned. The fruits 
of De Soto, while 
not so large nor so 
brilliantly colored as 
those of some of the 
Americanas, are not 
surpassed in quality 
by the product of 
any, and keep and 
ship as well as any. 
The variety be- 
comes, therefore, a 
market sort of value in some regions. The 
fruits are more subject to curculio than those 
of most of the native plums. De Soto blights 
in the South somewhat, and does not stand the 
drouths of the Mississippi Valley so well as 
some other varieties. De Soto vvas found on 
the bank of the Mississippi River near De 
Soto, Wisconsin, by a Mr. Tupper, in 1853. 

Tree small, spreading, open-topped, hardy, produces 
heavy crops annually, bears young. Leaves falling early, 
oval, 1% inches wide, 4 inches long; apex taper- 
pointed : base abrupt ; margin very coarsely and deeply 
doubly serrate ; petiole % inch long, pubescent, tinged 
red, glandless or with 1 or 2 globose, brownish glands. 
Flowers 1% inches across. Fruit midseason ; H4 
inches in diameter, round, compressed, often strongly 
truncate at the base ; cavity shallow, abrupt ; suture 
very shallow or a line ; apex round or somewhat pointed ; 
color dark crimson over orange-yellow ground ; bloom 
light ; dots very numerous, small, light russet, incon- 
spicuous ; stem slender, % inch long, sparingly pubes- 
cent ; flesh golden-yellow, very juicy, fibrous, tender, 
meltmg, mild; fair to«good; stone nearly free, oval, 
turgid, blunt-pointed, smooth, 

DIAMOND. Fig. 189. P. domestica. Black 
Diamond. To judge Diamond by appearance 



of fruit would be a grievous error. The plums 
are large, beautifully colored, well-formed and 
tempting to the eye, but one taste out of 
hand is sufficient. The flesh is coarse, and 
the flavor unpleasant to one accustomed to 




De Soto. (XI) 




189. Diamond. (XD 

good plums. The firm flesh and tough skin 
of the fruits commend them as market plums. 
The trees are above average in size, vigor, 
hardiness, and productiveness. Thus, all char- 
acters excepting quality of fruit bespeak the 
favor of plum-growers. Diamond is planted 
largely for the markets, in which the plum 
sells on appearance. This variety was raised 
from seed in Kent, England, by a man named 
Diamond, its origin antedating 1831. 

Tree above average in size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, hardy, verj* productive. Leaves obovate, 
2 inches wide, 3 ^ inches long ; apex obtuse ; base 
acute ; margin serrate, with small, brown glands ; petiole 
% inch long, slender, pubescent, reddish, with 1-4 small, 
globose or reniform, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 
1 inch across. Fruit midseason; 2 by 1% inches, oval, 
necked, swollen on the ventral side, compressed ; cavity 
very narrow and abrupt : suture shallow, often a line ; 
apex round or pointed ; color dark purplish-black ; 
bloom hea%'y ; dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicu- 
ous ; stem slender, 1 inch long, finely pubescent, adher- 
ing well to the fruit ; flesh pale yellow, sometimes with 
a faint red tinge next the skin, coarse, firm, mild, 
subacid ; of fair quality ; stone with a trace of red, 
semi-clinging, long-oval, necked at the base, abruptly 
sharp-pointed at the apex, with pitted surfaces. 

DOWNING. P. Mumoniana. Charles 
Downing. Downing is one of the best varie- 
ties of its species. The trees are large, usually 
productive, not often sterile as are some of 
its near kin; and, for a southern plum, the 
variety is remarkably hardy. The only fault 



DRAP O'OR 



ENGLEBERT 



197 



that can be found with the tree is that the 
foliage is rather susceptible to shot-hole fungus. 
The fniit is particularly attractive, with its 
bright, solid, garnet-red skin, golden flesh, and 
sweet, pleasant flavor. Unfortunately, the 
flesh is a little too fibrous, and clings too 
tenaciously to the stone for pleasant eating. 
Downing adds a pleasing variety to any col- 
lection of plums, and m some regions ought to 
sell with profit. H. A. Terry, Crescent, Iowa, 
grew Downing from seed of Wild Goose. It is 
reported as first fmiting in 1885. 

Tree large, spreading, flat-topped, hardy, variable in 
productiveness. Leaves broadly lanceolate, peach-like, 
1 1^ inches wide, 3 inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; 
margin finely serrate, eglandular or sometimes with 
small dark glands ; petiole % inch long, slender, tinged 
with red, pubescent along one side, glandless or with 
1-5 small, globose, yellowish-red glands. Flowers 1-^ 
inches across, with a strong, disagreeable odor. Fruit 
midseason ; 1 Vs inches in diameter, round-ovate, halves 
equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, flaring ; suture obscure ; 
apex round ; color gamet-red ; bloom light ; dots nu- 
merous, variable in size, grayish-yellow, conspicuous, 
clustered around the apex ; stem slender, about % inch 
in length, glabrous, parting readily from the fruit ; 
flesh golden-yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, tender, melt- 
ing, aromatic ; good ; stone clinging, oval, oblique, 
turgid, rough. 

DRAP D'OR. P. insititia. Cloth oj Gold. 
Yellow Damask. Yellow Gage. Drap d'Or is 
one of the Mirabelle plums, representing a 
type hardly known in America but ven.' popu- 
lar in continental Europe, and the most popu- 
lar of all plums in France. No doubt the 
division of P. m^ititia represented by Drap 
d'Or will thrive in America as well as the com- 
mjnly grown Damsons of the same species. 
Drap d'Or is one of the best of the yellow, 
sweet Insititias, and is well worth trial. The 
variety was cited by Merlet, 1675, and is of 
old and uncertain origin. 

Tree small, upright-spreading, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves oval, 1% inches wide, 2^^^ inches 
long ; apex pointed ; base abrupt ; margin serrate or 
crenate, eglandular or with small dark glands ; petiole 
% inch long, pubescent, tinged red, glandless or with 
1-3 globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, round- 
oval, compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, 
flaring ; suture very shallow, often a" line ; apex round 
or depressed ; color golden-yellow, mottled and blotched, 
occasionally wi'.h a faint bronze blush on the exposed 
cheek ; bloom light ; dots numerous, small, white ; stem 
slender, sparingly pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; 
flesh light golden-yellow, juicy, firm but tender, sweet, 
mild ; of good quality ; stone free, oval, flattened, 
smooth, blunt at the base and apex. 

DUANE. P. domestica. Purple Magnum 
Bonum. Purple Egg. Duane was once known 
the country over and in Europe as well. Its 
popularity was due to the large size, royal 
purple color, and firm golden flesh of the 
fruits — characters which fit it admirably for the 
store and the stand. But appearance is the 
only asset of the fruit so far as the consumer 
is concerned — the flesh is diy, tough, sour, 
and clings to the stone, making a plum unfit 
for dessert, although it does verj' well for 
culinarj' purposes. The fruits ripen slowly and 
color a week or more before ripe. The trees 
excel in size, vigor, and productiveness, are 
usually hardy, and bear their crop well dis- 



tributed. In minor characters, the trees are 
distinguished by large lea\'es, pubescent on 
the under side, and by grayish drab shoots 
covered with dense pubescence. The popu- 
larity of the variety is now on the wane. 
Duane originated as a seedling in the garden 
of James Duane, Duanesburgh, New York, 
about 1820. 

Tree large, vigorous, round and dense-topped, hardy 
and productive. Leaves obovate, 1% inches wide, 3% 
inches long ; apex acute ; base cuneate ; margin serrate, 
eglandular or with small amber glands ; petiole ^ inch 
long, pubescent, tinged with red, eglandular or with 
1 or 2 small, globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 
1 inch across. Fruit midseason; 1% by 1% inches, 
broadly oblong-oval, compressed, halves unequal ; cavity 
shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture variable in depth ; 
apex round or depressed ; color purplish-black ; bloom 
heavy ; dots numerous, light russet ; stem % inch long, 
pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; flesh pale yellow, 
firm, sour ; of fair quality ; stone adhering, oval, with 
pitted surfaces, blunt at the base and apex. 

ENGLEBERT. Fig. 190. P. domestica. 
Prince Englchert. Englebert is a prune, its 
origin, shape, color, and firm golden-yellow 
flesh all marking it as such, but in prune- 
making regions the crop is usually marketed 




190. Englebert. (XD 

in the green state. The fruits cannot be said 
to be much more popular as plums than as 
prunes, chiefly because they are not of high 
quality, but also because they are not attrac- 
tive in color, size, or shape, cutting a poor 
figure in comparison with a great number of 
other Domestica plums. The variety fails in 
tree as well as in fruit. The trees are variable 
in size, suffer from cold in exposed situations, 
and, while productive, bear their crops in 
clusters hard to pick and so placed as to insure 
infection from brown-rot when that disease is 
epidemic. Englebert grew from a seed of the 
Date prune, on the grounds of M. Scheidweiler, 
Ghent, Belgium. 



198 



EXCELSIOR 



FORMOSA 



Tree variable in size, vasiform, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves oval, 2 inches wide, 3 ^ inches long ; 
apex roundish-pointed ; base obtuse ; margin finely cre- 
nate, eglandular or with small dark glands ; petiole % 
inch long, pubescent, faintly tinged red, glandless or 
with 1 or 2 small, globose, greenish-yellow glands. 
Flowers 1 inch across. Fruit midseason ; 1% by 1% 
inches, oval, swollen on the suture side, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture a line ; apex 
bluntly pointed or roundish ; color dark purplish-black ; 
bloom heavy ; dots numerous, russet ; stem % inch long, 
pubescent, adhering well to tlie fruit ; Hesh golden- 
yellow, juicy, coarse, firm, sweet, pleasant-flavored, 
sprightly ; good ; stone oval, strongly flattened, with 
roughened and deeply pitted surfaces, blunt at the base 
and apex. 

EXCELSIOR. P. salicina X P- Mumoni- 
ana. This variety originated with G. L. Taber, 
Glen Saint Mary, Florida, in 1887, from seed 
of Kel.sey supposed to have been pollinated 
by Wild Goose, although some authorities 
believe De Caradeuc to have been the male 
parent. It seems to be a promising variety 
in the South, and was mentioned in the last 
three catalogs of the American Pomological 
Society. 

Tree vigorous, vasiform ; branches slender ; leaves of 
medium size, narrow ; margin finely crenulate, glandu- 
lar ; petiole short, with from one to three small glands ; 
flowers small, scattered. Fruit early ; of medium size, 
roundish, dark red with heavy bloom ; skin tough ; flesh 
firm, yellowish, with red tinge towards the center ; 
quality good ; stone of medium size, compressed, cling- 
ing. 

FIELD. P. domestica. Early Bradshaw. 
This offspring of Bradshaw resembles its 
parent in tree, and in size, color, and shape of 
fruit, although not so closely as to be readily 
mistaken for the older variety. Differences 
which distinguish the fruits of the two are; 
those of Field are a trifle smaller; more nearly 
round ; lack the prolonged neck of the Brad- 
shaw fniit; and are more phmip at the base. 
Field ripens its fruit earlier than Brad- 
shaw, the latter difference accounting for the 
synonym, "Early Bradshaw." In tree-charac- 
ters, Bradshaw excels in having a larger tree 
and in being more productive. The foliage of 
Field is ven' good ; it ripens its wood well ; 
begins to bear while young; but is inclined to 
a biennial-bearing habit, which makes the 
average in quantity of fruit low. Like Brad- 
shaw, Field is little attacked by San Jose scale. 
Field is a seedling of Bradshaw grown in 
Schoharie County, New York, a generation ago. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves obovate, 2 
inches wide, 4 Vz inches long ; apex abruptly pointed ; 
base acute ; margin serri;te, with a few, small, black 
glands ; petiole 1 inch long, thick, tinged with red, 
sparingly pubescent. Flowers 1 inch across. Fruit 
midseason; 2 by l*/^ inches, oblong-oval, compressed, 
halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture 
shallow, broad ; apex roundish ; color dark purplish-red ; 
bloom heavy ; dots numerous, small, russet, clustered 
about the apex ; stem % inch long, pubescent, adhering 
well to the fruit ; flesh greenish-yellow, juicy, sweet, 
mild : of fair quality ; stone clinging, ovate, with 
roughened and pitted surfaces, blunt at the apex and 
base. 

FOREST GARDEN. P. hortulana Mineri. 
Forest Garden is widely distributed in the 
Central West, where both in tree- and fruit- 
characters it seems adapted to the needs of 



climate and soil. The fniit is late, maturing 
at a good time for shipping, for which it is 
further adapted by tough skin and firm flesh; 
and, while not preeminently well fitted for 
dessert, it has a spicy flavor that makes it 
pleasant eating and admirably adapted for 
culinary purposes, especially for preserving. 
This variety is from a wild plum found in the 
woods near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by Thomas 
Hare, about 1862. 

Tree large, very vigorous, spreading, with sprawling 
habit, flat-topped, perfectly hardy, variable in produc- 
tiveness, bearing young, susceptible to shot-hole fungus. 
Leaves falling early, elongated-oval, peach-like, 1% 
inches wide, 4% inches long, thin and leathery; apex 
taper-pointed ; base abrupt ; margin doubly crenate, 
glandular ; petiole % inch long, sparingly pubescent, 
faintly tinged with red, usually with 2 conspicuous, 
globose, brownish glands. Flowers % inch across, with 
a strong, disagreeable odor. Fruit late ; 1 % inches 
in diameter, large, round-ovate, compressed, halves 
equal ; cavity shallow, wide, flaring ; suiure a line ; 
apex roundish or pointed ; color dark red ; bloom light ; 
dots numerous, russet, conspicuous ; stem slender, % 
inch long, glabrous, detaching from the fruit at ma- 
turity ; flesh dark golden-yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, 
melting, sweet next the skin, sour toward the center, 
with a strong and peculiar flavor, aromatic ; good ; stone 
clinging, oval, turgid, blunt, flattened at the base, end- 
ing in an abrupt but sharp point at the apex, smooth. 

FOREST ROSE. P. hortulana Mineri. 
Forest Ro.se and Forest Garden are similar in 
many characters. The fruit of Forest Rose, 
however, is not so attractive in color, is smaller, 
and does not keep nor ship quite so well as 
that of Forest Garden, but it is better in 
quality; and the variety is better adapted for 
the home orchard at least. While somewhat 
variable in productiveness in most localities, 
Forest Rose bears annually and abundantly. 
The trees are more thorny than those of most 
of its species. This variety is said to be a 
seedling of Miner, grown by Scott & Company, 
a Missouri nursery firm, about 1875. 

Tree medium to large, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, variable in productiveness, susceptible to attacks 
of si'iot-hole fungus. Leaves falling very early, obovate, 
lYz inches wide, 4 inches long, thin; apex acuminate; 
base acute ; margin crenate or serrate, with small, dark 
glands ; petiole Blender, ^ inch in length, sparsely 
pubescent along one side, tinged with red, glandless 
or with 1-3 small, globose or oval, greenish-brown 
glands. Flowers % inch across, white, with a disagree- 
able odor. Fruit late; 1% by 1 inch, round-oval; cavity 
shallow, flaring ; suture a line ; apex roundish ; color 
dull crimson ; bloom light ; dots very numerous, small, 
gray, conspicuous ; stem slender, % inch long, smooth, 
parting from the fruit ; flesh dull apricot-yellow, juicy, 
fibrous, tender, melting, sweet next to the skin, tart 
toward the center, aromatic : good ; stone clinging, oval, 
acute at the apex, with pitted surfaces. 

FORMOSA. P. salicina X ? Formosa is one 
of Luther Burbank's new plums introduced 
by the Fancher Creek Nurseries, Fresno, Cali- 
fornia, in 1907. The variety is now rather 
commonly grown in California, but is scarcely 
known elsewhere. Burbank says that it is of 
mixed parentage and "probabl.v includes the 
blood of from fifteen to eighteen varieties." 
Tree and fruit show many characters of the 
Japanese plums. 

Tree very vigorous and productive, fruiting annually 
and heavily, tender to cold, healthy in the Pacific states. 
Fruit midseason, medium to large, oval or slightly 
cordate ; suture deep and very prominent ; cavity me- 



FRENCH 



GERMAN PRUNE 



199 




French. (XD 



dium, abrupt ; skin smooth, a little tough, somewhat 
astringent, rich yellow, turning to a clear red at ma- 
turity ; bloom light but distinct ; flesh pale yellow, firm, 
sweet, rich, of a very decided apricot flavor ; quality 
good to very good ; 'stone rather large, oval, turgid, 
clinging. 

FRENCH. Fig. 191. P. insititia. French 
surpasses all other plums in its group. The 
plums are large, so large, indeed, as to lead to 
the belief that French is a hybrid with some 
Domestica plum; the size of the trees, blos- 
soms, and foliage also leads to such a supposi- 
tion. This excel- 
lent Damson is 
largely grown for 
the market, for 
good quality as 
well as size and 
appearance of the 
fruit aid in selling 
the product. The 
fruits have but one 
defect, the pit is 
large for the 
amount of flesh. 
But it is in tree- 
characters that 
French best shows 
its superiority over 
other Damsons. 
The trees are large, 
hardy, bear abun- 
dantly and annu- 
ally, and carry 
their foliage so 
well that fruit and 
wood usually ripen perfectly. The season is 
a little after that of the more commonly grown 
Shropshire, in most years an advantage. The 
origin is unknown, but it is probably an old 
variety renamed. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves long-oval, \Vi inches wide, 3 inches 
long ; apex abruptly pointed ; base abrupt ; margin ser- 
rate or nearly crenate, with a few small, dark glands ; 
petiole ^ inch long, slender, pubescent, faintly tinged 
with red, usually having 2 very small, globose, greenish- 
brown glands. Flowers 1 ^ inches across. Fruit late ; 
1 ^ by 1 ^ inches in diameter, ovate, halves equal ; cavity 
very shallow, flaring ; suture a line ; apex roundish ; 
color dull black ; bloom thick ; dots numerous, small, 
inconspicuous ; stem slender, % inch long, pubescent, 
adhering well to the fruit ; flesh greenish, juicy, fibrous, 
tender, sweet, pleasant, sprightly ; good ; stone variable 
in adliesion, oval, roughened, acute at the base, blunt 
at the apex. 

FROGMORE. P. imilUia. Frogmore 
Damson. Frogmore may be considered among 
the best of the Damsons for the culinary pur- 
poses to which this fruit is commonly put. 
The flesh is tender, sweet, and good, but ad- 
heres rather too tightly to the stone. The 
tree of Frogmore is all that could be desired 
in productiveness, and quite equals that of 
most other Damsons in length of time that 
it holds its crop after maturity. The habit of 
growth of this variety varies from that of 
P. iiisititia as commonly found, the leaves 
being larger, the tops more spreading, and the 
branches less thorny. According to the Florist 
and Pomologist, published in 1876, this variety 



originated a few years previous to the date of 
publication in the Royal Gardens, Frogmore, 
England. 

Tree small, round-topped, open, hardy, very produc- 
tive. Leaves bright red on first opening, obovate, 1^ 
inches wide, 3^ inches long; margin eglandular ; 
petiole % inch long, slender, green, glandless or with 
1 or 2 small, globose, yellowisli-green glands. Flowers 
1 inch across. Fruit late ; ly^ by 1 inch, round-oval, 
compressed, purplish-black ; bloom heavy ; flesh golden- 
yellow, juicy, tender, sweet ; good ; stone clinging, oval, 
smooth, acute at base and apex. 

GAVIOTA. P. salicina X ? Gaviota is an- 
other of Luther Burbank's plums, the par- 
entage of which he gives as a Japanese plum 
crossed with an Americana, although he says 
''it probably contains admixtures of other 
species than the two named." The variety was 
introduced by the Fancher Creek Nursery 
Company, Fresno, California, in 1907, and is 
grown only in the Pacific states, where it 
seems to be increasing in popularity, especially 
in California. 

Tree vigorous, productive, rather tender to cold, 
healthy, remarkable as blooming very late. Fruit mid- 
season, very large, oval, slightly cordate ; suture shallow 
but distinct; cavity medium in depth, broad, abrupt; 
skin dark red on a yellow background ; flesh yellow, 
firm, sweet, aromatic, with a very distinct, characteristic 
flavor : quality good to very good ; stone remarkable for 
its small size, pointed, oval, plump, clinging somewhat. 

GEORGESON. P. salicina. Mikado. 
Normand. White Kelsey. The rich yellow 
fruit is a particularly handsome plum, but here 
praJse ends. The flesh is so astringent and 
clings so tenaciously to the stone as to make 
the variety unfit for either dessert or culinary 
use. Moreover, the fruits are exceedingly 
variable in color, size, and shape, in the last 
character ranging from flatfish to round, with 
sometimes round and sometimes pointed apex. 
The tree has too much of the sprawling habit 
of Burbank to make it a good orchard plant. 
Georgeson was brought to notice by J. L. 
Normand, MarksvUle, Louisiana, about 1889. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, upright-spreading, not 
always hardy, productive. Leaves firoadly oblanceolate, 
1% inches wide, 3% inches long, thin; margin crenate 
or serrate, with small, amber glands ; petiole % inch 
long, reddish, with 1-10 brownish-red glands; blooming 
season early. Fruit early ; 1 % inches in diameter, 
round-cordate ; cavity deep, wide, usually with con- 
centric, russet lines ; color greenish-yellow, changing to 
deep yellow as the fruit reaches full maturity ; bloom 
thin ; flesh golden-yellow, fibrous, firm, sweet except 
near the center; fair to good; stone clinging, oval, 
turgid, with pitted surfaces. 

GERMAN PRUNE. Fig. 192. P. domes- 
tica. German Prune is one of the oldest 
plums under cultivation, and is still as largely 
grown, the world over, as any. Undoubtedly 
its wide distribution is due somewhat to its 
many variations. The variety comes almost 
true to seed, and is often propagated by 
planting pits, a practice which has produced 
many strains. The most commonly grown 
German Prune in the United States is the 
Rochester strain, trees from which the descrip- 
tion which follows was made. Another Ger- 
man Prune is the Dansville strain grown in 
the nurseries of Dansville, New York. Still 



200 



GIANT 



GOLDEN BEAUTY 




192. 



German Prune. 
(XI) 



another of these plums is the Weedsport Ger- 
man Prune, so like the Rochester type as to 
be hardly worth distinguishing. Latz is an- 
other distinct strain; it is larger, thicker, and 
broader than the 
type here de- 
scribed, and is 
more of a cling- 
stone. All of these 
German Prunes are 
characterized b y 
large, hardy, vig- 
orous, healthy, 
productive trees, 
characters so 
marked that one 
can say at once 
that it is the tree 
that gives the Ger- 
man Prune its 
great value. The 
fruit is excellent 
for all culinary 
purposes, especially 
for canning, and 
cures into a small 
but very good, 
tart, meaty, free- 
stone, elastic 
prune. The chief 
objection to the 
plum for these purposes is that the fruits run 
small. This variety is likely to remain a 
standard for some time, but will eventually 
be superseded by one having a larger fruit. 
German writers say that this variety originated 
in Asia, whence it was brought during the 
Crusades to Europe. 

Tree large, vigorous, round, dense-topped, hardy, very 
producti^-e. Leaves obovate. 1V& inches wide, 3 inches 
long, thin, velvety ; apex abruptly pointed or acute ; 
base acute ; margin finely serrate, with small glands : 
petiole y^ inch long, pubescent, tinged with red. gland- 
less or with 1 or 2 small, globose glands. Flowers 1 
inch across, inconspicuous on account of their greenish- 
yellow color, which characterizes the variety. Fruit 
late, ripening period very long ; 1 % by 1 inch, oval, 
swollen on tlie ventral side, halves unequal ; cavity very 
shallow, narrow, flaring ; suture a faint line ; apex 
pointed ; color purplish-black ; bloom thick ; dots nu- 
merous, small, brown, inconspicuous, clustered about 
the base ; stem % inch long, adhering well to the fruit ; 
flesh yeilowish-green, juicy, firm, sweet, mild, with 
pleasant flavor ; good to very good ; stone free, flattened, 
obliquely long-oval, pointed at the apex and base, with 
rough and pitted surfaces. 

GIANT. Fig. 193. P. domcstica. Giant 
Prune. The fruit of Giant is distinguished by 
large size and attractive color. Unfortunatel}', 
it is inferior in quality, a disappointment to 
all, for with Agen as a parent of the variety, 
high quality was to be expected. In quality, 
as in all fruit-charactere, Giant resembles the 
male parent. Pond. The flesh is coarse, fibrous, 
lacking in juice, clings more or less to the 
stone, and rots quickly. The trees lack some- 
what in both vigor and productiveness. In- 
troduced as a pnjne, it was supposed that this 
variety would prove a great boon to prune- 
makers, but it does not cure well and is now 
hardly used for diying. It is unfortunate that 
a plum so attractive cannot be recommended, 



but it is doubtful whether it is worth planting 
on a commercial scale. Giant was grown by 
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, California. Stock 
was first offered for sale in 1893. 




193. Giant. (XD 



Tree medium in size and vigor, round, dense-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves obovate, 2^ inches wide, 
3 % inches long ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin serrate 
or crenate, with small, dark glands ; petiole % inch 
long, tinged red along one side, sparingly pubescent, 
glandless or with 1-4 greenish-brown glands. Flowers 
lYi inches across. Fruit midseason ; 2 by 1^ inches, 
obovate, slightly necked, compressed, halves unequal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex 
roundish or depressed ; color purplish-red ; bloom thin ; 
dots numerous, small, russet, inconspicuous ; stem 1 
inch long, thinly pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; flesh 
light golden-yellow, coarse, fibrous, firm, sweet, mild ; 
fair in quality ; stone semi-clinging, long-oval, flat- 
tened, with rough and pitted surfaces. 

GOLDEN BEAUTY. P. hortulana. Honey 
Drop. Missouri Apricot. Golden Beauty is 
of little value. The plums are so small and 
the quality so poor that the variety is not 
worth planting. It is true that the firm, juicy 
fruits are very good for table use, in jellies in 
particular, and that they may be shipped long 
distances ; but these characters cannot offset 
the handicap of small size and poor quality. 
Golden Beauty was found wild by a German 
on the Colorado River in western Texas during 
the Civil War. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, irregular in habit, 
spreading, low. dense, hardy, variable in productiveness. 
Leaves folded upward, narrowly oval. 1% inches wide, 
4 inches long, thin ; margin irregularly and doubly cre- 
nate, with small, dark brown glands ; petiole % inch 
long, slender, green, glandless or with 1-8 very small, 
globose, blackish glands. Flowers % inch across, white, 
blooming season late. Fruit very late ; 1 inch in 
diameter, round, compressed, halves equal ; cavity 
shallow, narrow, flaring ; suture a line ; apex round ; 
color orange-yellow, mottled, overspread with thin 
bloom ; dots characteristic, numerous, large and small, 
yellowish, conspicuous, producing a mottled appearance, 
clustered about the apex ; stem very slender, % inch 
in length, glabrous, adhering to the pulp ; ilesh golden- 
yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, tender, mildly sweet, with 



GOLDEN CHERRY 



GONZALES 



201 



a faint apricot flavor, somewhat acid when cooked ; fair 
in quality ; stone adhering, turgid, oval, abruptly 
pointed at the base and apex, smooth and with a coating 
of yellowish-brown, cottony substance. 

GOLDEN CHERRY. P. ccrasijera. Mar- 
ket Plum. Youngkcn Golden. This plum is 
one of the few cuhivated representatives of 
P. cerasijera. It offers some attractions be- 
cause of real merit, and because it adds variety 
to the list of plums for fruit-growers. Some 
of its qualities are strongly marked, and the 
variety might prove of value in plant-breeding. 
Golden Cherry originated with Samuel Reeves, 
Salem, New Jersey, as a seedling of Myro- 
balan, in the early part of the last century. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading:, dense-topped, unpro- 
ductive ; branches slender, sparingly thorny. Leaves 
oval, 1 inch wide, 2 inches long ; margin finely serrate, 
with few small glands ; petiole reddish, eglandular ; 
blooming season early. Flowers well distributed on 
lateral buds and spurs. Fruit very early; IH inches 
in diameter, greenish-yellow, changing to pale yellow 
with a tinge of red, overspread with thin bloom ; flesh 
pale yellow, very juicy, melting, sweet next to the 
skin but rather tart at the pit ; aromatic ; good. Stone 
clinging, oval, with a nearly smooth surface. 

GOLDEN DROP. P. domcstica. Coe's 
Golden Drop. Golden Gage. Silver Prune. 
Well grown, this variety produces the largest, 
handsomest, and best of the yellow plums ; but 
in many regions, even in the hands of the 
most careful growers, the trees do not reach 
perfection. Thus, in eastern America, trees 
of Golden Drop lack vigor; and, while hardy, 
the fruit-buds are often caught by cold; they 
are slow in growth ; and have a precarious 
existence because of insects and diseases. The 
fruits need a long season to reach perfect 
maturity, often failing to ripen where other 
plums mature well ; they are used for all pur- 
poses to which plums are put — for dessert, 
cooking, canning, preserving, and pnine-making. 
For the last named purpose, the product of 
Golden Drop is unsurpassed for a light-colored 
prune. The crop, when carefully picked and 
handled, keeps for a month or more, shrivelling 
somewhat, but retaining its flavor and pleasing 
flesh-characters. Jervaise Coe, St. Edmunds, 
Suffolk, England, raised Golden Drop from a 
seed about 1809. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading or roundish, 
open-topped, hardv, productive. Leaves oval or obovate, 
1% inches wide, 2% inches long, thick; apex abruptly 
pointed or acute ; base acute ; margin serrate, eglandular 
or with small dark glands ; petiole ^ inch long, pubes- 
cent, tinged red, with 2-3 globose, greenish-yellow 
glands. Season of bloom medium ; flowers 1 inch across, 
white. Fruit very late; 2 by 1>^ inches in size, oval, 
tapering at the base to a short neck, compressed, halves 
equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow 
and wide ; apex depressed ; color* golden-yellow with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet, conspicuous ; 
stem % inch long ; skin tough, adherent ; flesh light 
golden-yellow, juicy, sweet, mild ; good to very good ; 
stone free, oval or ovate. 

GOLIATH. Fig. 194. P. domeslica. Cale- 
donia Emperor. Steers' Emperor. Wilmot's 
Late Ortcan)i. This old English plum has 
never been popular in America, and is now 
scarcely known on this continent. The fruit 
is large and handsome, but seldom fit for 
dessert. ''Seldom fit" because it is variable in 



quality in some seasons and under some con- 
ditions. It is an excellent culinary plum, and 
its firm, thick, meaty flesh fits it well for 
shipping. The trees behave well in all respects, 
and usually bear full crops of plums that 
would tempt purchasers in any market. It has 




194. Goliath. (XD 

all of the characters usually ascribed to a 
money-making variety of any fruit, and why 
not more grown in commercial orchards cannot 
be said. Nothing is known of the origin of 
this plum except that it came from England 
about a hundred years ago. 

Tree large, vigorous, round-topped, dense, hardy, very 
productive. Leaves obovate, 2 inches wide, 3% inches 
long ; margin finely serrate, eglandular or with few, 
small dark glands ; petiole ^ inch long, thick, heavily 
pubescent, glandless or with from 1 to 3 large, globose 
glands. Flowers 1 inch across, white, borne on lateral 
spurs, singly or in pairs. Fruit midseason, ripening 
period short ; 1 % inches by 1 ^ inches in size, round- 
oblong, somewhat oblique, truncate, compressed, halves 
unequal ; cavity narrow, aljrupt, russeted ; suture a line ; 
apex depressed ; color dark purplish-red, overspread with 
thick bloom ; dots characteristic, numerous, russet, con- 
spicuous ; stem thick, % inch long, thickly pubescent, 
adhering well to the fruit ; skin thin, sour, separating 
readily ; flesh golden-yellow, dry, firm, sweet ; fair to 
good ; stone free, round-oval, flattened, blunt at the 
base and apex, roughened and irregularly furrowed. 

GONZALES. P. salicinaX'f Red Gold. 
Gonzales is a promising plum for the South. 
It is a chance seedling found in Gonzales, 
Texas, atjout 1894, and was introduced by 
F. T. Ramsey, Austin, Texas, in 1897. It is 
the product of some Japanese variety pol- 
linated by a native. The following description 
is compiled: 

Tree vigorous, upright-spreading, open ; leaves nar- 
row, oval, tapering at both ends ; upper surface 
glabrous ; margin minutely glandular, finely crenulate ; 
petiole short and slender, with 2 glands. Fruit mid- 
season ; resembles Burbank in size and shape ; skin 
toughish ; color bright red, sometimes striped and 
splashed with dark red ; flesh yellow, tinged red, firm, 
sweet : good ; stone of medium size, oval, clinging. 



202 



GRAND DUKE 



HALE 



GRAND DUKE. Fig. 195. P. domestica. 
Grand Duke is the favorite late-shipping plum 
in eastern America. Its popularity is due to 
large size, the true prune shape, which seems 
most pleasing in the markets, handsome plura- 
purple color, and firm, meaty flesh, which fits 
the fruits excellently for shipping. The plum 
is not more than a second-rate dessert fruit, 
although it is very good in whatever way 
cooked. The trees grow poorly in the nursery, 




195. Grand Duke. (XD 

and in the orchard are seldom large and vig- 
orous enough to be called first class; they 
come in bearing slowly, but bear regularly and 
abundantly and hold the crop well, the jDlums 
being unusually free from rot and hanging in 
good condition a long time. Grand Duke de- 
serves its popularity as a market plum; prob- 
ably no better variety can be selected for the 
last of the season. Grand Duke is another of 
the many valuable plums produced by Thomas 
Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
hardy, productive. Leaves flat, obovate. 1V4 inches 
wide, 3 inches long, thick ; apex taper-pointed ; base 
acute ; margin serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole 
% inch long, nearly glabrous, with 1-3 globose, yel- 
lowish glands. Blooming season intermediate ; flowers 
1 inch across, white. Fruit late; 2^4 by 2 inches in size, 
elongated-oval or slightly obovate, halves unequal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture wide ; apex 
flattened, depressed or with a short, blunt tip ; color 
purplish-black, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, 
brown ; stem % inch long ; skin separating readily ; 
flesh golden-yellow, juicy, firm, sweet, mild ; good ; stone 
clmging, sometimes tinged red, irregularly oval, slightly 
flattened, rough. 

GUEII. Fig. 196. P. domestica. Big Blue. 
Blue Magnum Bonum. Gueii ranks among the 
first half-dozen plums in eastern America. Its 
popularity is due to its being a money-maker, 




196. Gueii. (XD 



as few would care to grow it in a home 
orchard. The quality of the fruit is poor for 
dessert, and it cannot even be called a par- 
ticularly g o o d- 
looking plum. But 
the trees bear 
early and abun- 
dantly; are large, 
vigorous, healthy, 
and hardy; and 
the plums are 
hardly surpassed 
for shipping, espe- 
cially at the time 
at which the crop 
comes upon the 
market, about 
midseason, for the 
best shipping 
pi 1 u m s mature a 
little later. The 
fruit is subject to 
brown-rot. The 
stone sometimes 
clings rather tight- 
ly, and under other 
conditions is 
wholly free. It 
could be wished 
that so popular a 
market plum were 
better in quality, but since high quality is 
seldom correlated in plums with fitness to ship 
well, it would be unfair to condemn Gueii as 
a market fruit because it cannot be eaten with 
relish out of hand. Gueii originated with a 
Mr. Hagaman, Lansingburgh, New York, about 
1830. 

Tree large, vigorous, open-topped, hardy, very productive. 
Leaves obovate. 2 inches wide, 4 inches long, thick ; 
margin doubly crenate, with small black glands ; petiole 
% inch long, thick, pubescent, tinged red. Flowers 
1 % inches across, white. Fruit midseason ; medium 
in size, ovate, halves equal ; cavity abrupt, rarely 
sutured ; apex bluntly pointed ; color dark purplish- 
black, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet, 
clustered about the apex ; skin thin, tender, separating 
readily ; flesh greenish-yellow, changing to light golden- 
yellow, dry, firm, tender, sweet, mild, astringent at the 
center ; fair in quality ; stone usually clinging, large, 
ovate or oval, blunt at the base and apex, roughened 
and pitted. 

HALE. p. saticina. J. Prolific. Hale is 
of questionable value, failing both in fruit and 
tree. The flavor of the plum is good in the 
judgment of some, but others find it too sweet 
and somewhat mawkish near the skin and 
about the pit. All agree, however, that the 
flesh clings too tightly to the stone for pleasant 
eating, and that the texture is too tender for 
good shipping. But the trees fail most 
markedly : they are but semi-hardy ; with the 
best of care the wood does not ripen properly; 
the habit of growth is not good ; they are slow 
in coming in bearing; not regularly productive; 
and are readily infected by brown-rot. The 
fruits are much infested by curculio. Luther 
Burbank offered this plum under the name J, in 
1893, and the following year as Prolific. J. H. 
Hale, South Gastonbury, Connecticut, intro- 
duced it as Hale in 1896. 



HAMMER 



HUDSON 



203 



Tree vasifonn, open-topped, semi-hardy, variable in 
productiveness. Leaves sparse, oblanceolate, 1% inches 
wide, 3% inches long, thin; apex abruptly pointed; 
base acute ; margin finely serrate or crenate ; petiole 
slender, tinged red, with 1-4 globose or reniform 
glands. Flowers white. Fruit early; 1% inches in 
diameter, round, halves equal ; cavity abrupt, regular ; 
suture a line ; apex round ; color light yellow, more 
or less blushed with red on one side, becoming red at 
maturity, mottled, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, 
small, "white ; stem slender, % inch long, glabrous ; 
skin thin, tough, adhering ; flesh yellowish, very juicy, 
fibrous, tender, melting next the skin but firmer at 
the center, sweet except near the pit ; good in quality ; 
stone adhering, round-oval, flattened, blunt but with 
a small, sharp tip, rough. 

HAMMER. P. americana. The trees of 
this variety make the best orchard phmts of 
all of the native varieties, being large, vigorous, 
shapely, and hardy. The fruits are good in 
quality, handsome in appearance, keep and 
ship well, but crack badly in unfavorable 
weather, and are quite subject to brown-rot. 
Hammer extends the season of the Americana 
plums considerablj', and is well worth planting 
in home orchards, in which the native plums 
are too seldom found. In particular, this 
variety can be recommended for the colder 
parts of the country where Domestica and 
Insititia plums are not hardy. Hammer is one 
of H. A. Terry's numerous plums, fruited first 
in 1888. 

Tree very large, vigorous, round-topped, spreading, 
hardy, an uncertain bearer. Leaves oval or obovate, 
2 inches wide, 4 inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; 
base obtuse ; margin coarsely and doubly serrate ; 
petiole % inch long, tinged red, with 1-4 small, globose, 
greenish-brown glands. Flowers ij inch across, 
white, with a disagreeable odor. Fruit midseason ; IVi 
inches in diameter, round-oval, compressed, halves-equal ; 
cavity very shallow, narrow, flaring ; suture an indistinct 
line ; apex roundish ; color crimson with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, very small, light russet ; stem slender, 
% inch long, glabrous ; skin thick, tough, inclined to 
crack, separating readily ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, 
fibrous, tender, melting, sweet, aromatic ; good ; stone 
semi-free, flattened, round-oval, compressed at the base ; 
abruptly pointed at the apex, rough. 

HAND. P. domestica. General Hand. Un- 
productiveness and uncertainty in bearing keep 
this variety from being one of the best of 
all plums in America. Even with these handi- 
caps, it has maintained its popularity for a 
century. The fruit is the largest of the Reine 
Claude plums — a beautiful golden-yellow trun- 
cated sphere — and when allowed to become 
fully ripe is unsurpassed in flavor — pleasing in 
all the flesh attributes of a good dessert plum. 
The trees, in vigor, health, and hardiness, are 
usually satisfactory, but are unproductive. 
The amateur should plant this variety, and it 
would seem that it is more often worth plant- 
ing in commercial orchards. The original tree 
grew on the place of General Hand, Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, and first fruited about 1790. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, dense-topped, hardy, 
variable in productiveness. Leaves obovate or oval, ZVz 
inches wide, 4% inches long; apex and base acute; 
margin finely and doubly serrate ; petiole % inch long, 
pubescent, tinged red. with 1-4 small, globose, greenish- 
brown glands. Flowers lU inches across, white. Fruit 
midseason: 1% inches in diameter, round-truncate, 
halves equal ; cavitv deep, flaring ; suture shallow, dis- 
tinct ; apex flattened or depressed ; color yellow, ob- 
scurely striped and mottled v.-ith green, with thin bloom ; 
dots numerous, white, inconspicuous, clustered about 



the apex ; stem long, very pubescent ; skin thick, tough, 
astringent, separating readily ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, 
fibrous, firm, sweet, pleasant ; very good ; stone free, 
broadly oval, turgid, blunt at the base and apex, 
roughened. 

HANSKA. P. americana X P. Simonii. 
Hanska is a cross between P. americana and 
a large, firm-fleshed apricot-plum from China. 
The tree is said to make an extraordinarily 
rapid growth in the nursery and to fruit on 
two and three-year-old wood in the nursery 
row. The fruits closely resemble those of the 
Chine.se parent in color, fragrance, quality, and 
firmness of flesh, but are smaller in size. The 
pit is verj- small. The variety originated with 
N. E. Hansen of the South Dakota Experiment 
Station, and first fruited in 1906 on two-year- 
old trees. The variety is planted only in the 
northern states of the Great Plains. 

HAWKEYE. P. americana. This variety 
is a widely planted Americana. It is typical 
of its species; its foliage, fruit, and pit all 
represent P. americana very well. The fruit 
is satisfactory, both attractive in appearance 
and pleasant to eat out of hand or cooked. 
The trees are crooked in body and quite too 
straggling, and, at the same time, too dense 
in growth to make good orchard plants. This 
variety belongs in the Middle West, but it 
might be grown for home use in regions too 
cold for the European plums. Hawkeye is a 
seedling of Quaker grown by H. A. Terry, 
Crescent, Iowa, and introduced in 1883. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, low-headed, hardy, 
productive, susceptible to attacks of shot-hole fungus. 
Leaves tinged red late in the season, flat, obovate, 2 
inches wide, 4 inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; 
base very abrupt ; margin coarsely and doubly serrate, 
the serrations often becoming spiny, eglandular ; petiole 
slender, ^^ inch in length, pink, with 1 or 2 globose, 
greenish-brown glands. Flowers showy on account of 
the numerous, pure white, flat petals, with a somewhat 
disagreeable odor. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, 
round-oval, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow ; suture 
an indistinct line ; apex round ; color dull carmine, with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, gray or reddish, obscure ; 
stem slender ; skin thick, tough, adhering ; flesh pale, 
dull yellow, verj- juicy, fibrous, watery and melting, 
sweet at first with a tart and astringent after-taste ; 
good ; stone adhering to the pulp, round-oval, flattened, 
smooth. 

HUDSON. P. domestica. Hudson River 
Purple. Purple Egg. Hudson belongs to the 
Hudson River Valley, New York, where it 
has long been grown for home and market. 
The variety has few qualities of fruit to com- 
mend it, since the fruits are of only medium 
size, not markedly attractive in appearance, 
and the quality is below the average. The 
trees are very good in habit of growth and 
bear very well ; they have the faults of not 
bearing early and of being subject to black- 
knot. Nothing is known of the origin of Hud- 
son except that it has been grown in the 
Hudson River Valley for many years. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, very productive, 
hardy. Leaves oval, 2 inches wide, 3% inches long; 
apex acute ; base abrupt ; margin serrate, with small 
dark glands ; petiole % inch long, thick, lightly pubes- 
cent, glandless or with 1-3 greenish-yellow glands. 
Flowers 1 inch across, white. Fruit late; IVi inches in 
diameter, long-oval, halves unequal ; cavity shallow. 



204 



HULINGS 



IMPERIAL GAGE 



narrow, abrupt, regular ; suture shallow ; color purplish- 
black, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet ; 
stem slender, 1 inch long ; skin thin, tender, separating 
readily ; flesh golden -yellow, juicy, tender, sweet next 
the skin, sour towards the center, aromatic ; good ; stone 
sometimes reddish, ovate, roughened, acute at the base 
and apex. 

HULINGS. P. domcstica. Keyser's Plum. 
Hulings is one of the Reine Claude group, and 
typical of the remarkably fine varieties of that 
group in ever>' respect. The plums are par- 
ticularly agreeable to the taste because of 
sprightliness, which many plums of its type 
lack. The trees are satisfactory, so that the 
variety has much to recommend it for com- 
mercial plantations. Hulings originated early 
in the last century with a Mr. Keyser of 
Pennsylvania, who grew it from seed; W. E. 
Hulings of the same state brought it to public 
notice. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
productive. Leaves unusually large, obovate, 3 inches 
wide, 6 yz inches long, thick, leathery, rugose ; margin 
crenate or serrate ; petiole thick, tinged red, pubescent, 
with 1-3 globose glands. Fruit maturing in midseason ; 
about 2 inches in diameter, round, dull greenish-yellow, 
overspread with thin bloom ; skin thin, somewhat sour ; 
flesh greenish, firm but tender, sprightly ; good to very 
good ; stone broad-oval, medium turgid, with short, 
thick, slightly oblique apex. 

HUNGARIAN. P. domcstica. Date Plum. 
Hungarian Prune. This plum may be a de- 
scendant of a species distinct from P. domcs- 
tica. It differs in habit of growth, the leaves 
are smaller, distinctly folded, and droop. But 
it is the fruit that differs most; fruit and stone 
are more elongated than in other European va- 
rieties, and the stone is larger, flatter, more 
pitted, and more pointed at the base and apex. 
It is doubtful whether Hungarian is worth cul- 
tivating in America, though the plum is larger 
than that of the commonly grown German 
Prune, and is fully equal if not better in 
quality; but its type is unknown and con- 
sumers hesitate to buy the unknown. Nothing 
is known of the history of this plum except 
that it has been long under cultivation, and 
that it came from Hungary. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves drooping, obovate, 1% 
inches wide, 3% inches long, thick; apex and base 
acute ; margin serrate, with small brown glands ; petiole 
i/i inch long, pubescent, tinged red, glandless or with 
1 or 2 globose, greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across, the buds tinged yellow, changing to white on 
opening. Fruit late; l^^ by 1 inch in size, oblong, 
necked, swollen on the suture side, compressed, halves 
unequal ; cavity very shallow and narrow, abrupt ; 
suture shallow ; apex pointed ; color dark reddish- 
purple, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet ; 
etem slender, 1 inch long, pubescent ; skin thin, tough, 
sour, separating readily ; flesh yellowish-green, juicy, 
firm but tender, sweet, mild ; good to very good ; stone 
semi-free to free, long-oval, flattened, necked at the 
base, acute at the apex, with thickly pitted surfaces. 

ICKWORTH. P. domcstica. Ickworth 
Impiratrice. Ickworth is hardly known in 
America, but in England it is a favorite late 
plum, noted as being one of the best of all 
plums for late keeping. The plums are too 
small for the market, and are not high enough 
in quality for a home plum; moreover, they 
do not always ripen in northern latitudes. In 



California, Ickworth has been found to make 
a very good prune and to ship very well in 
the green state, but here, also, small size 
debars it from great commercial value. The 
tree characters of Ickworth are all good. Knight, 
the noted English pomologist, raised this plum 
early in the last century. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, pro- 
ductive. Leaves oval, 1^ inches wide, 3 inches long, 
thick, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed or acute, base 
acute ; margin crenate, with small dark glands ; petiole 
^2 inch long, thick, greenish, glandless or with 1-4 
large, reniform or globose, yellowish-brown glands. 
Flowers 1 inch across, white. Fruit very late; Ih^t 
by 1% inches in size, oval, sometimes compressed, 
halves unequal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture 
shallow, wide ; apex one-sided, depressed ; color purplish- 
black, mottled, with thick bloom, dots numerous, very 
small ; stem 1 inch long, pubescent ; skin thick, tender, 
adhering ; flesh dull yellowish, juicy, sweet, mild, pleas- 
ant ; good ; stone usually clinging, irregularly oval, 
flattened, faintly pitted, acute at the base, blunt at 
the apex. 

IMPERIAL EPINEUSE. P. domestica. 
Clairac Mammoth. The fruits of Imperial 
Epineuse are not surpassed in quality by those 
of any other plum; moreover, they are most 
pleasing in appearance, being large, beautiful 
in shape, and made further attractive by a 
handsome reddish-purple color which is lighter 
or darker according to the exposure to the sun. 
The tree-characters are exceptionally good; 
the crop is so borne on the main limbs as to 
be protected from the sun; and the tree is 
particularly large and vigorous, its strong 
growth being a striking characteristic of the 
variety. The variety is much grown in Cali- 
fornia, and should be grown in all plum- 
regions. Wherever tried in the East, fruit and 
tree are liked, and the variety is certain to 
grow in popularity in eastern orchards for both 
home and market plantations. Imperial 
Epineuse was found about 1870 near Clairac, 
in the great pnme district of France. It was 
brought to the United States bv Felix Gillett, 
Nevada City, California, in 1883. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, productive. Leaves 
obovate, \% inches wide, 3>^ inches long, thick, rugose, 
glabrous except along the deep and widely grooved 
midrib ; petiole 1 inch long, tinged red, glandless or 
with 1-3 globose glands. Flowers 1 inch across. Fruit 
late : large, obovate, purplish-red, darker on the sunny 
side, mottled, overspread with thick bloom ; flesh 
greenish-yellow, fibrous, tender, sweet, agreeable in 
flavor ; very good ; stone clinging, irregular-oval, flat- 
tened, obliquely but bluntly contracted at the base, with 
pitted surfaces. 

IMPERIAL GAGE. Fig. 197. P. domes- 
tica. Flushing Gage. Prince's Gage. Superior 
Green Gage. White Gage. There is much 
contradictory evidence as to the value of Im- 
perial Gage. The fruits are said in some of 
the fruit-books to be the largest of all the 
Reine Claude plums, and in others to be too 
small to be desirable ; in some, they are said 
to be of highest quality, and in others quite 
too insipid to be called a dessert fruit. These 
contradictions have arisen because the variety 
grows quite differently in different soils. Im- 
perial Gage is best adapted to light sandy soils; 
the fruits grow largest and best in quality on 
such soils, and make the poorest show of all 



ITALIAN PRUNE 



JEFFERSON 



205 



on heavy clays. The trees are nearly perfect 
in habits of growth — vigorous, hardy, healthy, 
and bear large crops of plums. The product 
is adapted alike for dessert, canning, home, 




197. Imperial Gage. (XD 

and market. In selected locations. Imperial 
Gage is a most valuable fruit. The Princes in 
their nursery at Flushing, Long Island, about 
the year 1790, planted the pits of twenty-five 
quarts of the Green Gage plum, and from one 
of these produced Imperial Gage. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, open-topped, 
hardy, very productive. Leaves obovate, 2 inches wide, 
3 inches long, thick ; apex pointed ; base acute ; margin 
crenate, with small dark glands ; petiole Vz inch long, 
thick, glandless or with 1 or 2 small, globose, yellowish- 
green glands. Flowers 1 inch across, white. Fruit 
midseason ; 1 ^; inches in diameter, ovate, compressed, 
halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture 
a line ; apex depressed ; color dull greenisli -yellow, with 
obscure green streaks, mottled and faintly tinged red 
on the sunny side, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, 
small, grayish, obscure ; stem % inch long, pubescent ; 
skin thin, tender, separating readily ; flesh golden- 
yellow, juicy, firm, tender, sweet, mild ; good to very 
good ; stone free, oval, flattened, with pitted surfaces, 
blunt at the base, very blunt at the apex. 

ITALIAN PRUNE. Fig. 198. P. domes- 
tica. Fellenbcrg. Italian Paine is grown in 
all of the plum regions of continental Europe; 
is well known in England ; is third or fourth 
in popularity in the Atlantic states of America; 
is the leading plum in the Pacific Northwest, 
where it is chiefly used in prune-making; and 
is grown somewhat for prunes and for shipping 
green in California. The fruit is finely fla- 
vored, whether eaten out of hand, prepared 
for the table, or cured as a prune. While a 
little too tart to be ranked as a first-rate 
dessert plum, it is one of the best of the 
prunes for this purpose, though it must be 
fully ripe to be fit for dessert. In cooking, 
the yellow fiesh changes to a dark wine color, 
very attractive in appearance, with a most 
pleasant, sprightly flavor; as a cured prune, 
the flesh is firm and meaty, yet elastic, of 



good color and a perfect freestone, making 
when cooked the same attractive-looking, 
finely-flavored, sprightly sauce as is to be had 
from the green fruits. The prunes from this 
variety, also, are noted for long-keeping. In 
the uncured state, the product keeps and ships 
well. The trees are large, hardy, productive, 
well-formed, and bear regularly ; yet they are 
not ideal, and the variety fails chiefly in tree- 
characters. The trees are often capricious to 
soil and climate, do not always bear well, 
seem to be susceptible to diseases, are preyed 
upon by insects, and suffer in particular from 
diy or hot weather. Italian Prune originated 
in Italy at least a century ago, and has long 
been common in northern Italy, especially in 
the vicinity of Milan. 




198. Italian Prune. (XD 

Tree vigorous, upright, low-topped, hardy, productive. 
Leaves oval, 2 inches wide, i^^ inches long; apex and 
base acute ; margin doubly crenate, with small, dark 
glands; petiole % inch long, thick, pubescent, tinged 
red, with 1-3 globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 
1^ inches across, white. Fruit late; 2 by 1^4 inches 
in size, long-oval, enlarged on the suture side, com- 
pressed, halves unequal ; cavity very shallow and nar- 
row, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex bluntly pointed ; 
color purplish-black, with very tliick Ijloom ; dots nu- 
merous, small, liglit brown, conspicuous ; stem inserted 
at one side of the base, 1 inch in length, pubescent ; 
skin thin, tough ; flesh yellow, juicy, firm, suliacid, 
aromatic ; very good to best ; stone free, irregular-oval, 
flattened, roughened and pitted, necked at the base, 
abruptly tipped at the apex. 

JEFFERSON. Fig. 199. P. domestica. 
Jefferson has long been popular in America. 
Its popularity is waning, however, chiefly be- 
cause it is lacking in the essentials demanded 
of a market fniit. There can be no question 
of the standing of Jefferson as to quality of 
fruit — it is one of the best of all dessert plums. 
Grown under favorable conditions and when 
fully ripe, the plum is golden-yellow with a 



206 



KELSEY 



LATE MUSCATELLE 



delicate blush and bloom, and is large for a 
plum in the Reine Claude group. It fails as 
a market variety because the trees are late in 
coming in bearing, a little particular as to 
soils, and not quite hardy. Both tree and 




199. Jefferson. (Xl) 

fruit are too delicate for market-growers and 
market-men. As to its value for private places, 
there can be no doubt — it is one of the choicest 
varieties. Jefferson was raised by Judge Buel, 
Albany, New York, about 1825. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, spreading, open- 
topped, hardy, productive. Leaves obovate, 1% inches 
wide, 3% inches long, thick; apex and base acute; 
margin serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole % 
inch long, tinged purplish-red along one side, with 1-3 
small, yellowish glands. Flowers 1 inch across, white. 
Fruit midseason ; 1^ inches in diameter, round-oval, 
halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture 
very shailow, indistinct ; apex round ; color bronze- 
yellow, sometimes with faint pink blush on the exposed 
cheek ; dots numerous, verj' small, gray or reddish ; 
stem 1 incii long, thinly pubescent ; skin thin, tough, 
adhering ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, firm but tender, 
sweet, pleasant ; very good ; stone semi-free, ilattened, 
broadly oval, abruptly tipped, with a short neck at 
the base, blunt at the apex, with rough and pitted 
surfaces. 

KELSEY. P. salicina. Botankin. Hat- 
tankio. Kctsey's Japan. Smomo. Togari. 
This variety is not much hardier than the fig, 
and cannot be safely planted north of Wash- 
ington and Baltimore. The tree is vigorous, 
well formed, and productive, having for its 
worst fault susceptibility to shot-hole fungus. 
The plums are large, very attractive in color; 
and the flesh is firm, with a rich, pleasant, 
aromatic flavor, making the fruit very good 
in quality. In the South, both curculio and 
brown-rot attack the fruits rather badly. Kel- 
sey, the first of the Japanese plums introduced 
into America, was brought into the country 
by a Mr. Hough, Vacaville, California, in 1S70. 
John Kelsey, Berkeley, California, obtained 
trees from Hough and propagated it. The fol- 
lowing description is compiled: 



Tree vigorous, upright, vasiform, tender, productive, 
an early and regular bearer. Leaves somewhat scant, 
small, lanceolate, narrow ; blooming season early. Fruit 
very late, season long, keeps and ships well ; large, 
cordate, conical, halves unequal ; suture variable in 
depth ; apex pointed ; color rather unattractive yellow, 
tinged and splashed with red, often overspread with 
purple, with attractive bloom, more or less marked 
with conspicuous dots ; stem sometimes adhering poorly 
to the fruit ; skin tender ; flesh delicate yellow, juicy, 
firm and meaty, rich, pleasant, aromatic ; good to very 
good : stone clinging unless well ripened, small, in an 
irregular cavity larger than the pit. 

KING. P. imititia. The fruit of King runs 
large for a Damson, and the flavor is agreeable, 
so agreeable that the variety is a very good 
dessert fruit late in the season. This Damson 
is little grown in America and deser\^es much 
wider cultivation. A peculiarity of the flower 
is that there is always more or less doubling of 
the petals. Very little is known regarding the 
history of this excellent variety, but it seems 
probable that it originated in Kent, England, 
where it is much grown. 

Tree small, lacking in vigor, upright-spreading, dense- 
topped, productive. Leaves obovate, 1 inch wide, 2% 
inches long; margin serrate, usually with small dark 
glands ; petiole with 1 or 2 glands on the stalk. Flowers 
usually with more than 5 petals, 1 inch across, white 
with a yellow tinge at the apex. Fruit late, season 
long ; 1 inch in diameter, oval, slightly necked, black, 
with thick bloom ; flesh greenish-yellow, juicy, firm, 
sprightly, becoming sweet late in the season ; of good 
quality ; stone clinging, irregular-ovate, slightly necked. 

LATE MIRABELLE. P. insititia. In 
France, where all of the Mirabelles are highly 
esteemed, Late Mirabelle is much grown. The 
variety is practically unkno\vn in America, but 
well deserves widespread trial, as do all the 
Mirabelles. The history of this variety is 
unknown other than that it is an old sort, 
having been mentioned in the London Horti- 
cultural Society catalog as long ago as 1831. 

Tree medium in size and vigor, very hardy, produc- 
tive ; branches smooth. Leaves small, oval, 1^ inchea 
wide, 2 inches long ; margin finely serrate, with few, 
dark glands ; petiole slender, glandless or with 1 or 2 
glands at the base of the leaf. Ftuit late ; small, 
round-oval, greenish-yellow, often with a light blush 
on the sunny side, covered with thin bloom ; stem 
short, slender ; flesh yellow, very juicy, aromatic, sweet ; 
good ; stone semi-free. 

LATE MUSCATELLE. P. domestica. 
Late Muscatelle has been fruiting for fifteen 
years at the New York Agricultural Experiment 
Station, and has come to be regarded as one of 
the best late plums out of the 500 or more that 
have been fruited with it. The plums are 
large and somewhat truncate, of a pleasingly 
rotund shape; the color is a beautiful purple- 
brown, slightly splashed and mottled with 
russet; the skin is thicker and tougher than 
one wishes in a first-class dessert plum, but 
these qualities are valuable assets in shipping; 
the flesh is tender, meaty, firm, juicy, sweet, 
and delicious. A pleasing characteristic is that 
the flesh is about the freest from the stone of 
that of any plum. The crop is late to ripen and 
keeps well, but, if kept too long, the fruits 
shrivel somewhat. The trees are hardy and 
relatively free from insects and diseases, but 
are not quite so vigorous as one could wish. 
For home use and local market, Late Musca- 



LINCOLN 



McRAE 



207 



telle is certain to prove a valuable variety, and 
it may have a place for the general market. It 
is an old European sort having several syno- 
nyms in the pomologies of continental Europe. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, liardy, productive. Leaves drooping, 
obovate, IV^ inches wide, 3^ inches long, leathery; 
margin crenate, with few, small, dark glands ; petiole 
thick, pubescent, with 1-3 glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across, usually in pairs. Fruit late, season short ; me- 
dium to large in size, round, truncate, purplish-brown, 
splashed and mottled with russet about the base, over- 
spread with thick bloom ; skin rather tough, separating 
readily from the pulp ; flesh greenish-yellow, firm, juicy, 
aromatic, rich, sweet ; very good ; stone small, free, 
reddish, flat, irregular-oval, with pitted surfaces. 

LINCOLN. P. domestica. In Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey, Lincoln is well thought of for 
home use and the markets. The fruit is un- 
usually attractive in size and color, and for 
quality it may be named among the best of 
the red plums. Unfortunately, the variety is 
readily infected by the brown-rot, which, when 
epidemic, cannot be controlled. This plum 
originated in York County, Pennsylvania, soon 
after the Civil War, supposedly from seed of 
Reine Claude. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
dense-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves obovate, 2 
inches wide, 4 inches long, stiff ; petiole 1 inch long, 
pubescent, reddish, with 1-4 large, globose or reniform, 
yellow glands. Flowers over 1 inch across, white. 
Fruit early, season short : 2 by 1 1^ inches in size, 
oblong-oval, slightly necked, halves equal ; cavity very 
shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex depressed ; 
color light or dark red over a yellow ground, with thin 
bloom ; dots numerous, small, light russet ; stem 1 inch 
long, parting readily from the fruit ; skin thick, sour, 
separating readily ; flesh greenish-yellow, juicy, coarse 
and fibrous, firm but tender, sweet, pleasant ; good to 
very good ; stone free, long-oval, flattened, necked at 
the base, blunt at the apex, with markedly rough and 
deeply pitted surfaces. 




200. Lombard. (XD 

LOMBARD. Fig. 200. P. domestica. Lom- 
bard is probably more widely grown in 
America than any other plum. The meritori- 
ous characters which enable it to take high 
place in American plum-growing are: the 



elasticity of its constitution, whereby it adapts 
itself to widely different soils and climates; 
the robustness, hardiness, healthiness, produc- 
tiveness, and regularity in bearing of its trees; 
the fact that the fruits are comparatively free 
from plum-curculio; lastly, its showy fruits 
tempting to the eye and readily salable. Lom- 
bard would be preeminently the plum "for the 
millions" if its fruits were not so poor in qual- 
ity. Canned, cooked, preserved, or spiced, the 
product does very well, but as a dessert, fruit, 
Lombard falls in a categorj' with the Ben 
Davis apple and Kieffer pear, "good-looking 
but poor." Lombard was raised bv Judge 
Piatt, Whitesboro, New York, about 1830. 
Several varieties, as Communia, Tatge, Spanish 
King, and Odell, are very similar, if not iden- 
tical with Lombard. 

Tree of medium size, round-topped, very hardy, pro- 
ductive. Leaves long-obovate, 1^ inches wide, SVz 
inches long, thick ; apex acute ; base tapering ; margin 
often doubly serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole 
^ inch long, thick, tinged red, pubescent, with 1 or 2 
globose, yellowish-green glands. Flowers 1 inch across, 
white. Fruit midseason ; 1% by lYz inches in size, 
round-oval, compressed, halves unequal ; cavity narrow, 
abrupt, round ; suture a line, apex flattened ; color 
light to dark purplish-red, overspread with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, small, light russet ; stem slender, % 
inch long ; skin thin, tender, separating readily ; flesh 
yellow, juicy, fibrous, firm and sweet, mild ; inferior in 
quality : stone semi-free to free, dark colored, oval, 
flattened, roughened. 

McLaughlin, p. domestica. The fruits 
of McLaughlin stand well up with the best 
plums in quality, and when well grown are 
very attractive in appearance. The flavor is 
rich and delicate, and has a savor quite its 
own; there are few other plums in which the 
characters pleasing to the taste exist in such 
nice proportions. The fruit is a little smaller 
than that of some other sorts of its group, but 
is quite large enough for a dessert fruit. The 
fruits have imperfections, however. The flesh 
clings tenaciously to the stone, is too melting 
to keep or ship well, and rots badly on the 
tree. The tree is above average in size and 
vigor, and is as hardy as any; it comes in 
bearing early and is productive. The place 
for this plum is apparent at once — in the home 
orchard. McLaughlin was raised by James 
McLaughlin, Bangor, Maine, first fruiting 
about 1840. 

Tree of medium size, variable in vigor, spreading, 
open-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves oval, 2 Inclies 
wide, 3 ^ inches long, thick ; apex abruptly pointed ; 
base acute ; margin crenate, with small, black glands ; 
petiole >4 inch long, thick, pubescent, tinged red, with 
1 or 2 small, globose, yellow glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across, white, with yellow tinge near the apex of the 
petals. Fruit early; 1% by 1 inch in size, round-oblate, 
compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, 
abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex depressed ; color greenish- 
yellow, blushed and mottled with red, with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, small, light colored ; stem thick, % 
inch long, pubescent ; surrounded at the cavity by a 
fleshy ring ; , skin tough ; flesh light yellow, juicy, 
sweet, mild and pleasant ; very good ; stone clinging, 
broad-oval, very blunt at the base and apex ; heavily 
wrinkled and deeply pitted. 

McRAE. P. salicina. This variety is grown 
only in the Gulf states and more especially in 
Florida, where it seems to be one of the most 
promising new sorts. It is said to have origi- 



208 



MAQUOKETA 



MILTON 



nated near Lake City, Florida, from seed of 
Kelaey, and was introduced in 1910 by the 
Glen St. Maiy Nurseries. The fruits are de- 
scribed as midseason, of medium size, round, 
yellow washed with dull red in the sun; dots 
numerous; bloom thin; flesh yellow, firm, 
juicy, subacid; good. 

MAQUOKETA. P. hortulana Mineri. 
Maquoketa is one of the best of the native 
plums for culinary purposes, which also keep 
and ship w-ell. The trees, like those of nearly 
all the Miner-like plums, are better formed and 
more adaptable to orchard conditions than 
those of other native sorts. After the Ameri- 
cana and Nigra plums, Maquoketa is one of 
the hardiest of the native varieties, growing 
even in Minnesota. The variety belongs, 
however, in the South and Middle West. The 
origin of this plum is uncertain. It has been 
known to fruit-growers since about 1889. 

Tree spreadmg, low-topped, open, hardy, productive. 
Leaves falling olf early, broadly lanceolate, peach-like, 
1 % inches wide, 4 ^ inches long ; apex taper-pointed ; 
base abrupt ; margin with serrations in 2 series, with 
very small, black glands ; petiole % inch long, tinged 
with dull red, hairy, with 1-4 globose, large, dark 
brownish-yellow glands. Flowers 1 inch across, yellow- 
ish as the buds begin to open, changing to white, with 
a disagreeable odor. Fruit late ; below medium in size, 
ovate, halves equal ; cavity shallow, wide, rounded, 
flaring ; suture a line ; slightly pointed ; color dark 
carmine, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, small, clus- 
tered about the apex : stem slender, glabrous, parting 
readily ; skin thick, tough, astringent, semi-adherent, 
removing a thin layer of the pulp when detached ; flesh 
deep yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, sweet at first but 
astringent near the pit ; fair in quality ; stone of 
medium size, oval, turgid, bluntly pointed at the base 
and apex, with slightly roughened surfaces. 

MARIANNA. Fig. 201. P. cerasijeriXl 
Marianna has little or no value for its fruit, but 
is used as a stock upon which other plums are 
propagated. All are now agreed that this 
variety is from a 
cross-fertilized seed of 
P. cerasijera, the other 
parent possibly being 
one of the Munsoni- 
ana plums. A charac- 
ter peculiar to this 
variety is that it 
grows readily from 
cuttings; for this 
reason it is a cheap 
stock for plums of all 
kinds, and is used for 
peaches and apricots. 
Besides rooting read- 
ily, the plant does not 
sprout, and may be 

oni Af ; /^^1^ budded as late as the 

201. Marianna. (XD p^^ch or later. Mari- 
anna is chiefly used in 
propagation in the South, and is not now em- 
ployed by nurserymen anywhere so commonly 
as formerly. The tree is a handsome orna- 
mental at any season of the year, and its 
broad, spreading top makes it a good shade 
tree. Marianna appeared about 1880 as a seed- 
ling in a mixed orchard belonging to Charles 
G, Fitze, Marianna, Texas. 




Tree large, vigorous, broad, spreading, open and flat- 
topped, hardy, free from insects or diseases. Leaves 
elongated-oval, 1 inch wide, 2^^ inches long, thin; apex 
and base acute ; margin very finely serrate, with small, 
black or amber glands ; petiole slender, % inch long, 
tinged red, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose, greenish- 
brown glands. Flowers % inch across, white. Fruit 
early ; 1 inch in diameter, round-oval, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt, regular ; suture a line ; 
apex roundish ; color bright, light red, with thin bloom ; 
dots numerous, small, light russet, conspicuous ; stem 
slender. ^ inch long, glabrous ; skin tough, bitter, 
inclined to crack, parts readily ; flesh yellow, tinged 
red, juicy, fibrous, watery and melting, sprightly ; poor 
in quality ; stone clinging, elongated-oval, blunt -pointed, 
surfaces pitted. 

MAYNARD. P. salicina. The habit of the 
tree of Maynard is commendable, and the 
fruits are very acceptable to those who care 
for Japanese plums. The season follows that 
of Climax, a period when there is a dearth of 
plums of its type. The variety was first fruited 
in 1897 by Burbank, and was then sold to the 
Oregon Nursery Company, Salem, Oregon. It 
was introduced in 1903. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, open-topped, productive. 
Leaves obovate, 1% inches wide, 3V4 inches long, thin; 
margin finely serrate, with small, dark glands ; petiole 
slender, glandless or with 1 or 2 small glands. Fruit 
early: Ih^ inches in diameter, round-truncate, dark red, 
changing to purplish-black, with thick bloom ; flesh 
red, with a tinge of yellow near the pit, fibrous, tender, 
melting, sweet, aromatic ; good to very good ; stone 
semi-clinging, broadly oval, turgid, blunt at the base 
and apex, with pitted surfaces. 

MIDDLEBURG. P. domestica. The fruits 
of Middleburg may be surpassed by other 
plums m appearance, but few others are better 
in quality, whether for dessert or for cooking. 
They ripen late, hang well to the tree, and 
ship and keep well, in the latter respect 
equalling the best of the prunes. The trees, 
while of only medium size, are robust, healthy, 
hardy, and usually productive. Belying the 
looks of either fniit or tree, Middleburg im- 
proves upon acquaintance ; when well known, 
it will be wanted in home collections, and some 
commercial fruit-growers will find it profitable. 
Middleburg originated in Schoharie County, 
New York, where it was found as a chance 
seedling. 

Tree medium in size, vigorous, round and open-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves oval, X^/z inches wide, 3% 
inches long, thick, stiff ; apex and base acute ; margin 
doubly serrate, with a few small, dark glands ; petiole 
% inch long, pubescent, tinged red, glandless or with 
1-3 small, globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 1 
inch across, white. Fruit very late; \yz inches in 
diameter ; oval, compressed, halves equal ; cavity very 
shallow, narrow, flattened ; suture lacking ; apex round- 
ish : color light to deep purplish-red, with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, small, russet ; stem 1 inch long, thinly 
pubescent ; skin thin, sour, separating readily ; flesh 
light yellow, juicy, coarse, firm, sprightly, strongly 
aromatic; very good; stone semi-free or free, oval with 
pitted surfaces, slightly acute at the base and apex. 

MILTON. P. Munsoniana X ? The spe- 
cial merits of Milton are that the trees bloom 
late and the fiiiit ripens early. The fruits are 
large, of veiy good quality, though a little too 
juicy for pleasant eating or to ship well, very 
attractive in appearance, and, more important 
than all else for the regions in which it is 
likely to be grown, comparatively free from 
rot. Unfortunately, the flesh clings most 



MINER 



MONARCH 



209 



tenaciously to the stone, even after cooking. 
Milton, a seedling of Wild Goose grown by 
H. A. Terry, Crescent, Iowa, fruited first in 
1885. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, round and dense- 
topped, hardy, productive, healthy. Leaves oblanceolate, 
peach-like, 1 inch wide, 3 inches long, tnin ; apex taper- 
pointed ; base slightly acute ; margin serrate or crenate, 
with numerous, minute, dark glands ; petiole ^ inch 
long, slender, reddish, pubescent, glandless or with 1-4 
small, globose, yellowish-brown glands. Flowers % 
inch across, the buds creamy when opening, changing 
to white, odor disagreeable. Fruit very early; 1V4 
inches by 1 inch in size, oval, compressed, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt, regular ; suture a dis- 
tinct line ; apex slightly pointed ; color dark red, with 
thin bloom ; dots very numerous, large, russet ; stem 
slender, 1 inch long ; skin thin, tough, astringent ; flesh 
yellow, pulp fibrous, sweet next the skin, acid at the 
center ; fair to good ; stone adhering, long-oval, 
elongated at the base and apex, somewhat flattened, 
surface broken into irregular ridges. 

MINER. P. hortulana Mineri. In the Mid- 
dle West, Miner is probably as widely dis- 
seminated and as largely grown as any other 
pium, being particularly adapted to the north- 
ern limits of the cultivation of its species. 
The tree is robust, healthy, better in habit of 
growth for orchard management than that of 
any other of the native plums, and usually 
productive. The fruits are good in quality, 
attractive in appearance, comparatively cur- 
culio-proof, and are especially suited for 
culinarj- uses. The variety is unproductive 
unless cross-fertilized. In 1813, William Dodd 
found this plum growing in a Chicasaw Indian 
plantation on the Tallapoosa River, Alabama. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, hardy, unproductive 
unless cross-pollinated. Leaves falling late, long-oval 
or obovate, peach-like, 1^^ inches wide. 4 inches long, 
thick ; apex acuminate ; t>ase abrupt and nearly acute ; 
margin serrate, with small glands ; petiole % inch long, 
often tinged red, with 2-4 reniform or globose, dark 
amber glands. Flowers late, medium to large. Fruit 
late ; medium in siae, round-ovate ; cavity shallow, 
narrow, regular ; suture indistinct ; apex pointed ; color 
dull, dark red, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, minute, 
yellowish ; stem slender, long, adhering strongly to the 
fruit ; skin thick, tough, astringent ; flesh pale amber 
yellow, juicy, tender, mild, aromatic ; good ; stone 
adhering, small, round-oval, flattened, with nearly 
smooth surfaces. 

MIRABELLE. P. insilitia. In Europe, 
especially in France, Mirabelle is one of the 
favorite varieties, and its fruits are in great 
demand for canning, preserves, compotes, 
tarts, and prunes. The trees grow very well, 
producing fine crops of fruit wherever the 
Damsons can be grown. The small, round, 
yellow fniits are attractive in appearance and 
sweet and pleasant in flavor. The trees are 
small but vigorous and healthy; the last two 
qualities suggested in Europe their use as 
stocks, to which purpose they are sometimes 
put in France when a dwarfing stock is wanted. 
Mirabelle was first noted by pomological 
writers of the seventeenth century. 

Tree small, round, open-topped, hardy. Leaves falling 
early, 1^ inches wide, 3 inches long, oval, thin; anex 
acute ; base abrupt ; margin crenate, with small, black 
glands : petiole ^k inch long, tinged red along one 
side, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose glands. Flow- 
ers 1 inch across, white with a yellow tinge as the buds 
unfold. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, round- 
oval, necked, compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow. 



abrupt ; suture indistinct ; apex depressed, color light 
golden-yellow, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, 
white : stem slender, ^ inch long, pubescent, parting 
readily from the fruit ; skin thin, tough ; flesh light 
yellow, firm, tender, sweet, mild ; good to very good ; 
stone free, oval, blunt, broadly ridged along one edge, 
rough. 

MIRACLE, p. domestica. About 1887, 
Luther Burbank imported from a French 
nurseryman a tree of a stoneless plum known 
as a curiosity in Europe for three centuries. 
With this fruit he crossed several of the best 
European varieties, producing hybrids which 
first fruited in 1893. Although there were 
several stoneless fruits in this lot, none was 
of any value and it was not until 1899 that 
one appeared worthy of consideration. In this 
seedling, developed from Agen pollen, the 
stone is represented by a small, hard scale near 
the base of the kernel. Burbank sold the new 
plum in 1903 to the Oregon Nurserj' Company, 
Salem, Oregon, bv whom it was introduced in 
1906. The following description is compiled: 

Tree dwarf, producing a round, compact head, very 
productive. Fruit larger than -\gen. oblong, dark blue 
covered with thick bloom ; cavity medium ; stem short ; 
flesh yellow, sweet, juicy, good ; stone lacking, the 
kernel lying naked in the flesh. 

MONARCH. Fig. 202. P. domestica. Out 
of a great number of plums imported from the 
Old World. Monarch is one of the few which 
has proved worthy of a place with the best 
American varieties for American conditions. 




Monarch. (XD 



The nicely turned form and the rich purple 
color make the fruits handsome; and, while 
the quality is not of the best, it is good as 
compared with other purple varieties, as few 
plums of this color are especially palatable 
to eat out of hand. Monarch is not remarkable 



210 



MYROBALAN 



OCTOBER 



for its tree-characters, yet these average well 
with those of other plums, and, with those of 
the fruit, make a variety quite above the 
average, giving it a place among the best 
commercial sorts. Monarch was grown by 
Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England, and 
was introduced by the originator in 1885. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open-topped, hardy, productive. Leaves broadly oval, 
wide, thick, stiff ; apex abruptly pointed ; margin ser- 
rate or crenate, eglandular ; petiole short, thick, heavily 
pubescent, tinged red, glandless or with 1 or 2 large, 
reniform or globose, greenish-brown glands. Flowers 1 
inch across, white. Fruit late; 2 inches by 1% inches 
in size, round-oval, halves unequal ; cavity deep, narrow, 
abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex flattened : color dark 
purplish-red, with russet flecks scattered over the surface, 
with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, reddish-brown, 
conspicuous ; stem thick, % inch long, pubescent ; skin 
thin, tender, astringent, separating readily ; flesh golden- 
yellow, juicy, fibrous, tender, aromatic ; good ; stone 
clinging, long-oval, turgid, roughened and pitted, pointed 
at the base, blunt at the apex. 

MYROBALAN. P. cerasifera. American 
Cherry Plum. Cherry. Cherry Plum. Red 
Mirabelle. Virginian Cherry. Myrobalan is 
a group name rather than a varietal one. 
Plums of this group are grown from seeds, and 
many varieties have appeared during the last 
three centuries differing in color, shape, stone, 
and many minor characters. The strains with 
red and reddish-purple plums, round in shape, 
are apparently the most numerous, although 
there are frequent references to the white 
Myrobalan and to heart-shaped fruits in this 
group. For a further discussion of these plums 
see P. cerasifera. The Myrobalan plums are 
used largely as stocks in the propagation of 
plums and closely allied plants; occasionally 
the fruits are used for culinary purposes. 

NAPLES. P. domestica. Beauty of Na- 
ples. Naples, although seldom found in or- 
chards in the East, is offered by several eastern 
nurserymen. It is of the Yellow Egg type but 
far inferior to that well-known variety. It is 
doubtful if Naples should have a place on 
the list of plums for either home or commercial 
orchards. The variety seems to have been 
first described in 1892, but when, where, and 
by whom originated does not appear. 

Tree vigorous, rather productive, hardy, healthy. 
Fruit ripens late, medium to large, oval ; suture shallow 
but distinct ; cavity small ; skin thin, tender, golden- 
yellow mottled with red in the sun and more or less 
sun-freckled ; bloom thin ; flesh light yellow, firm, 
sweet, mild, rather insipid ; quality fair to good ; in- 
ferior to that of many standard plums ; stone rather 
large, oval, round, clinging tenaciously. 

NEWMAN.' P. Munsoniana. Newman is 
one of the oldest, but still one of the standard 
varieties of its species. Its fruits are charac- 
terized by a firm, meaty flesh, which fits them 
well for shipping and storing; the plums are 
attractive also in shape and color, but are too 
small and too low in quality to make the 
variety a first-rate one. The trees are large 
and vigorous, and in all respects very satis- 
factory orchard plants. Both fruits and trees 
are usually reported as fairly free from dis- 
eases and insects. The origin of this plum is 
uncertain; it was first described in 1867. 



Tree large, vigorous, spreading, low and flat, dense- 
topped, hardy, productive. Leaves lanceolate, peach-like, 
1 % inches wide, 4 inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; 
base acute ; margin finely crenate, with small, amber 
glands ; petiole slender, 1 inch long, pubescent on one 
side, reddish, glandless or with 1-4 very small, globose, 
yellowish-red glands. Flowers % inch across, tinged 
yellow in the buds, changing to white on expanding, 
odor disagreeable. Fruit midseason ; 1 inch in diameter, 
oval, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, flaring ; 
suture a dark red line ; apex depressed ; color bright 
currant-red, with thin bloom ; dots grayish, conspicuous ; 
stem slender, 1 inch long, glabrous ; skin thin, very 
tough, astringent ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, tender, melt- 
ing, sweet next to the skin, tart at the center ; fair in 
quality ; stone clinging, long-oval, turgid, necked at 
the base, blunt-pointed at the apex, with finely pitted 
surfaces. 

NEW ULM. P. amcricana. Snooks. New 
Ulm is worthy of attention because of its large, 
handsome, well-formed fruits, further distin- 
guished by a peculiar flavor, suggesting that of 
the mandrake. The flesh is a little too juicy 
for pleasant eating, but the fruits ship well, 
as the tough, thick skin firmly holds its con- 
tents. The fruits, however, do not keep well, 
for, despite the thick skin, the spores of brown- 
rot find entrance, and the plums rot badly. 
The trees are hardy and productive, but ill- 
shaped and hard to manage in orchard or 
nursery, for which reason the culture of the 
variety is discouraged by nurserymen. New 
Ulm was raised by C. W. H. Heideman, New 
Ulm, Minnesota, about 1890. 

Tree spreading and drooping, low, dense-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves drooping, oval, 2 inches 
wide, 4^/^ inches long, thin; apex taper-pointed; base 
abrupt ; margin coarsely and doubly serrate, eglandular ; 
petiole slender, ^ inch long, pubescent, tinged with 
red ; glandless or with 1-3 globose, greenish-brown 
glands. Flowers showy on account of the numerous 
pure white petals, 1 inch across. Fruit midseason, IVi 
inches in diameter, round-ovate ; cavity shallow, very 
narrow ; suture a line ; apex pointed ; color carmine 
over a yellow ground, with thin bloom ; dots very nu- 
merous, russet ; stem ^ inch long, glabrous ; skin thick 
and tough, astringent ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, fibrous, 
tender and melting, sweet, with a strong aromatic 
flavor ; good ; stone adhering, oval, flattened, blunt at 
the base, pointed at the apex, with smooth surfaces. 

OCTOBER. P. salicina. October Purple. 
October is the nearest approach to a good late 
plum in its species, but because of several 
faults falls considerably short of filling the 
need. The fruits are large, attractive, suitable 
for dessert, good for culmary purposes, hang 
well to the tree, and keep and ship much better 
than those of the average Japanese variety; 
but they are not far enough from mediocrity to 
make the variety desirable. The trees are well 
shaped, usually robust and healthy, and the 
fruit is well borne on lateral spurs distributed 
over the old wood; but they are tardy in 
coming in bearing, and cannot be depended 
upon to bear satisfactory crops regularly. Oc- 
tober might be sparingly planted to the pleas- 
ure of the amateur, and to the profit of the 
commercial fniit-grower who has a good local 
market. It was first fruited by Luther Bur- 
bank in 1892. 

Tree variable in size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
open-topped. Leaves falling early, sparse, obovate, 1% 
inches wide, 3^4 inches long, thin, leathery; apex and 
base acute ; margin glandular, doubly serrate or crenate ; 
petiole Va incli long, with 1-3 small, globose, yellowish 



OGON 



PEACH 



211 



glands. Flowers i§4fi inch across, white. Fruit mid- 
season, ripening period long ; 1 % 'inches in diameter, 
round-cordate, halves unequal ; cavity deep, wide, flar- 
ing, with streaks radiating from the cavity : suture a 
line : apex round to pointed ; color dark red over a 
yellow-green ground, with bloom of medium thickness ; 
dots numerous, large, russet, conspicuous, clustered 
about the apex ; stem slender, % inch long, glabrous ; 
skin thin, tough, sour, separating readily ; flesh light 
yellow tinged with red, very juicy, fibrous, sweet, mild ; 
good ; stone clinging, round-oval, blunt but with a small 
tip, somewhat rough. 

OGON. P. salicina. Shiro Smomo. Yellow 
Nagale. Ogon is one of the few varieties of 
P. salicina bearing yellow fniits. It is further 
distinguished by being the only freestone sort 
of its species under cultivation in America, 
and by fruits having a flavor quite distinct, 
resembling that of the apricot. The plums 
are not of high quality, crack badly on the 
tree, and are unusually susceptible to the at- 
tacks of curculio. The trees are small and 
unproductive. These faults preclude the plant- 
ing of Ogon in commercial plantations. The 
variety is distinct and interesting not only in 
its fruits, but in its flowers, which bear few 
stamens, many of which are abortive and show 
all degrees between perfect stamens and perfect 
petals. Ogon was imported from Japan about 
1885. 

Tree medium, vigorous, vasiform, dense-topped, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves few, oblanceolate, peach-like, 1 % 
inches wide, 4 inch long, thin ; margin finely crenate, 
with small, dark amber glands ; petiole ^ inch long, 
glandless or with 1-4 globose, greenish glands. Flowers 
il inch across. Fruit early; ly^ inches by 1% 
inches in size, round-oblate, oblique, halves equal ; 
cavity narrow, regular, flaring ; suture variable in depth, 
prominent ; apex roundish or slightly flattened ; color 
lemon-yellow, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, small, 
white, inconspicuous ; stem slender, ^ inch long, 
glabrous, separating readily ; skin thin, rough, astrin- 
gent, inclined to crack, adhering ; flesh pale or amber- 
yellow, firm, sweet, mild ; of fair quality ; stone free, 
round-oval, turgid, blunt but with a small, short tip, 
oblique, slightly pitted. 

OMAHA. P. salicina y^ P. ayncricana. This 
variety is a cross between Abundance, a Japa- 
nese plum, and Brittlewood. an Americana 
plum. It is growTi only in the Middle West and 
not largely there. It originated with Theodore 
Williams, Benson, Nebraska, and was first de- 
scribed in 1901. The following is a description 
of the variety a.s it grows on the grounds of the 
New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Geneva, New York, where, it must be said, it 
fails in both tree- and fruit-characters: 

Tree intermediate between those of the two parents. 
Fruit early, variable in size, nearly spherical ; cavity 
deep, rounded, stem long ; suture faint ; apex rounded ; 
color light red, a shade darker than the well-known 
Wild Goose ; dots many, small but conspicuous ; bloom 
markedly heavy and characteristic ; flesh moderately 
firm, yellow, juicy, rich and sweet but a little insipid ; 
quality fair to good ; stone rather large, oval, flattened, 
clinging somewhat tenaciously. 

PACIFIC. Fig. 203. P. domcstica. Pacific 
Prune. Willamette. The purple plums of Pa- 
cific are beautiful in color and shape, very 
large, and few plums of this color excel them 
in quality. The trees are unusually robust, 
hardy, and productive. In Oregon. Pacific has 
not proved a good prune-making plum, but the 
fruits stand eastern shipment well. The va- 



riety has not been well tested in the East, but 
is well worth general trial for. home and market 
plantations. This plum is badly confused with 
the Willamette, the two sorts having originated 
in Oregon about 1875. 




203. Pacific. (XD 

Tree large, upright-spreading, open-topped, hardy » 
productive. Leaves obovate, 2 inches wide, 4 inches 
long, thick and leathery ; apex obtuse ; base acute ; 
margin crenate, with small, dark glands ; petiole % 
inch long, thick, pubescent, tinged red, with 2-4 large, 
globose, yellowish -green glands. Flowers 1-ft inches 
across, white. Fruit midseason ; 2 inches by 1 % 
inches in size, ovate, halves equal ; cavity shallow, nar- 
row, flaring ; suture shallow, indistinct ; apex bluntly 
pointed ; color bluish, overspread with thick bloom ; 
dots small, brown, conspicuous ; stem thick, ^^ inch 
long, pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; skin thin, 
tough, separating readily; flesh pale golden-yellow, 
juicy, firm, sweet, spicy ; good ; stone free, flattened, 
irregularly broad-oval, obliquely contracted at the base, 
blunt at the apex, with rough and pitted surfaces. 

PEACH. P. domestica. The fruits of 
Peach, although not high in quality, are justly 
esteemed, where the variety can be grown, for 
earliness. large size, and handsome appearance. 
Unfortunately, this variety is capricious be- 
yond most other plums as to climate and soils, 
and refuses to thrive unless its needs are well 
supplied in the matter of environment. In 
America, it seems to find congenial soil and 
climate only on the Pacific coast, and even 
there refuses to bear well except on strong, rich 
soils and in sunny exposures. The origin of 
Peach is unknown, but it has been grown in 
Europe for more than a century. 

Tree large, very vigorous, spreading, round or flat- 
topped, hardy, medium in productiveness. Leaves large, 
oval ; apex oljtuse ; margin doubly crenate, with small 
glands ; petiole % inch long, thick, pubescent, with a 
trace of red, usually with two small, globose, greenish 
glands. Fruit early ; thick-set, witliout a neck, 1% 
inches in diameter, round, angular, halves equal ; cavity 
deep, wide, compressed ; suture shallow, distinct ; apex 
flattened or depressed ; color dark purplish-red. over- 
spread with thin bloom ; dots numerous, large, con- 
spicuous ; stem \^ inch long, glabrous, adhering well 
to the fruit ; skin tough, adhering ; flesh golden -yellow, 
juicy, firm, subacid, mild ; good ; stone free, round-oval, 
flattened, with rough and pitted Burfacea, blunt at the 
base and apex. 



212 



PEARL 



POOLE PRIDE 



PEARL. P. domcstica. The rich, golden 
color, large size, fine form, melting flesh, and 
sweet, luscious flavor of the fruits, place Pearl 
among the best dessert plums. The tree- 
characters, however, do not correspond in de- 
sirability with those of the fruits. The trees, 
■while of medium size and seemingly as vigor- 
ous and healthy as any, are unproductive. 
Where this defect does not show, the variety 
becomes at once one of great value. The fruits 
of Pearl are said to cure into delicious prunes. 
This variety ought to be very generally tried 
by commercial plum-growers, and is recom- 
mended to all who grow fruit for pleasure. In 
1898, Luther Burbank introduced the variety 
as a new prune from the seed of the well- 
known Agen. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, vasiform, dense-topped, 
hardy Leaves broadly oval, 1% inches wide, 3% inches 
long, thick, leathery; apex abruptly pointed ; base 
abrupt; margin serrate or crenate, with sm.ill, black 
glands; petiole % inch long, thick, pubescent tinged 
Jed, glandless or with 1-3 small, globose brownish 
glands. Flowers showy, 1% inches across, w-hite with 
a tinge of yellow at the apex of the petals. Fruit mid- 
season ; 1% inches by IV2 inches in size, round-oval, 
compressed, halves unequal ; cavity shaUow, narrow, 
abrupt; suture a line; apex depressed; color golden- 
yellow, obscurely striped and splashed with dull green, 
mottled, overspread with thin bloom; dots numerous, 
small, white, clustered about the apex; stem thick, %, 
inch long, thickly pubescent, adhering well to the fruit; 
skin tough, separating readily; flesh deep yellow, juicy, 
a little coarse and fibrous, firm but tender, very sweet, 
with a pleasant, mild flavor, aromatic; very good 
to best; stone clinging, long-oval, slightly necked at 
the base, bluntly acute at the apex, with rough sur- 
faces. 

PETERS. P- domcstica. Peter Yellow 
Gage Peters ranks with the best varieties in 
the Reine Claude group to which it belongs—a 
sufficient recommendation to make it desirable 
in any home collection of fruit. The fruit, 
however, is not so attractive in appearance as 
any one of several other sorts in its group, 
'ackmg size and color. The trees are large, 
hardy, robust, and healthy, surpassing in these 
respects those of most other Reine Claude 
sorts. The tree-characters have made this va- 
riety a favorite one in western New York for 
two generations, and one pomologist after an- 
other has recommended it for this section; 
notwithstanding which the variety is now going 
out of cultivation except for the amateur. 
William Prince, the first pomologist to men- 
tion it, gave a brief description of the variety 
in 1828. 

Tree very large, vigorous, round and dense-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves flattened, oval, 2 inches w-ide, 
4 inches long; apex abruptly pointed or acute ; base 
abrupt ; margin crenate, eglandular or with few, small, 
dark glands; petiole % inch long, thick, tinged red, 
pubescent, glandless or with 1 or 2 small greenish- 
brown glands. Flowers 1% inches wide, w-hite, creamy 
at the apex. Fruit late, season short; IVa inches in 
diameter, round, compressed, halves equal; cavity shal- 
low narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow ; apex flattened or 
depressed; color dull yellowish-green, often blushed or 
mottled on the sunny side with thick bloom; dots 
numerous, large, white, conspicuous; stem 1% inches 
long, pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; skin thin, 
tou-'h, separating readily ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, 
fibrous firm, sweet next the skin but sour near the 
center ; very good ; stone clinging, oval, turgid, acute 
at the base and apex, with pitted surfaces. 



POND. Fig. 204. P. domcstica. Hun- 
garian. Pond Seedling. Pond is preeminent 
among plums for its large fruits, which are 
distinguished also by their form and color, both 
being pleasing as well as distinctive. The eye 




20-1. Pond. (XD 

is pleased with the plum, but the palate is 
sadly disappointed, for at best it is not even 
second-rate. The fruits, however, ship and 
keep well, as is demonstrated by the large 
quantities of this variety annually sent from 
California to the East for sale on fruit-stands, 
where it perennially beguiles the uninformed 
fruit-buyer. The trees are satisfactory in most 
fruit-regions, though small and not always pro- 
ductive. This variety was obtained from seed 
by a Mr. Pond, an English grower of fruits, 
as long ago as 1831. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, upright, hardy, vari- 
able in productiveness. Leaves oval, 2Vi inches wide, 
4 inches long, thick, leathery ; petiole % inch long, 
thick, pubescent, tinged red, with 1 or 2 globose, 
yellowish glands. Flowers 1 ^g inches across, white. 
Fruit late, season short ; 2 inches by 1% inches in 
size, obovate, frequently with a neck, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow, often 
a line ; apex roundish ; color reddish-purple to purplish- 
red, overspread with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, 
reddish-brown, obscure ; stem thick, % inch long, 
heavily pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; skin 
tough, separating readily ; flesh golden-yellow, dry, 
fibrous, firm, mild, not highly flavored ; fair in quality ; 
stone semi-free to free, long-oval, flattened, the surfaces 
roughened and deeply pitted, tapering towards the 
base and apex. 

POOLE PRIDE. P. Munsoniana. Kroh. 
Compared with other native plums, Poole 
Pride has considerable merit. The plum is 
very attractive in appearance, it seems to have 



POTTAWATTAMIE 



RED JUNE 



213 



all the characters of a long-keeping and good- 
shipping sort of its species, and the trees are 
large, vigorous, hardy, healthy, and productive. 
The fruits have a very peculiar flavor, incom- 
parable with any other plum or fruit, which, 
while disagreeable to some, is liked by others. 
The flesh of this plum is so transparent that 
the pit can be readily seen when the skin is 
removed. This variety was raised by P. H. 
Kroh, Anna, Illinois, about 1880. 

Tree large, vigorous, open and round-topped, hardy. 
Leaves peach-like, 1% inches wide, 3^ inches long, thin 
and leathery ; apex taper-pointed ; base abrupt ; margin 
finely crenate, with small dark glands ; petiole % inch 
long, slender, hairy, light purplish-red, with 1-4 small, 
globose, reddish-brown glands. Flowers % inch across, 
white. Fruit early, season very long ; 1 inch in diam- 
eter, round-oval, halves equal ; cavity very shallow and 
narrow ; suture a distinct line ; apex roundish ; color 
clear, dark, currant- red, with thin bloom ; dots few, 
light russet, conspicuous, clustered about the apex ; stem 
slender, % inch long, glabrous, adhering to the fruit ; 
skin thin, tough, separating from the pulp ; flesh semi- 
transparent, dark amber-yellow, very juicy, fibrous, 
tender and melting, sweet, with a strong, peculiar flavor ; 
fair quality ; stone adhering, long-oval, flattened, com- 
pressed at the base, pointed at the apex, rough. 

POTTAWATTAMIE. P. Munsoniana. 
This variety is possibly of greater cultural 
value than any other of its species. The fruit 
is of high quality, the te.xture is especially 
pleasing in eating, and though melting and 
juicy, it keeps and ships very well because of 
a tough skin. The plums escape both curculio 
and brown-rot to a higher degree than the 
fruits of most varieties of this species. The 
trees, though dwarfish at maturity, are vigor- 
ous, productive, and among the hardiest of the 
Munsoniana plums, growing without danger of 
winter-injury to tree or bud as far north as the 
forty-fourth parallel. Pottawattamie came un- 
der the notice of J. B. Rice, Council Bluffs, 
Iowa, in 1875. 

Tree medium in size, dwarfish, round-topped, hardy. 
Leaves fiat, lanceolate, peach-like, 1 % inches wide, 3 M 
inches long, thin ; apex taper-pointed ; base abrupt ; 
margin finely serrate or crenate, with small, reddish 
glands ; petiole 1 inch long, slender, tinged red, thinly 
pubescent, glandless or with 1-5 very small, globose 
reddish -yellow glands. Flowers % incli across, creamy- 
white, with a disagreeable odor. Fruit early, 1 inch 
in diameter, round-oval, compressed, halves equal ; 
cavity shallow and narrow, abrupt ; suture indistinct ; 
apex depressed ; color clear currant-red, with thin 
bloom ; dots few, white, conspicuous, clustered about 
the apex ; stem slender, % inch long ; skin tough, 
separating readily ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, fibrous, 
tender and melting, sweet next the skin but sour at 
the center ; good in quality ; stone clinging closely, 
narrow, long-oval, turgid, smooth, flattened and necked 
at the base, abruptly sharp-tipped at the apex. 

QUACKENBOSS. Fig. 205. P. domes- 
tica. The fruits of Quackenboss possess to a 
high degree the characters which make a good 
market phim ; they are of large size ; round- 
oval, a better shape for the markets than the 
prune shapes; very prepossessing in color — a 
handsome, dark purple with heavy bloom; the 
iiesh is tender, juicy and sweet, making the 
variety one of the good purple plums. The 
tree is large, vigorous, hardy, with a round and 
spreading top, but it does not have the reputa- 
tion of being fruitful, and the variety fails 
chiefly as a commercial sort for this reason. 



The plums ripen late and come on the market 
at a time when wanted for home canning. The 
variety has two peculiarities; the petals are 
comparatively distinct from each other, giving 
the flower, or a tree in flower, an odd appear- 
ance; and the leaves are remarkably variable 
in size. Quackenboss originated at Schenec- 
tady, New York, about 1828. 




205. Quackenboss. (XD 

Tree very large and vigorous, round -topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves flattened, obovate, variable in size, 
average 1% inches wide by 3% inches long; apex 
obtuse : base tapering ; margin finely serrate, with 
small black glands ; petiole % inch long, pubescent, 
faintly tinged red, glandless or with 1-4 small, globose 
greenish-yellow glands. Flowers 1 Vit inches across, 
white, with a yellow tinge at the tips of the opening 
buds. Fruit late, season short; 1% by 1% inches in 
size, round-oval, slightly compressed, halves equal ; 
cavity narrow, abrupt ; suture sliallow, often lacking ; 
apex depressed ; color bluish-black, with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, yellowish-brown, inconspicuous ; stem %, 
inch long, pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; skin 
tender, astringent ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, tender, 
sweet, mild ; good ; stone semi-free, flattened, irregular- 
oval, tapering to a long, narrow neck at the base, 
bluntly acute at the apex, with rough and pitted sur- 
faces. 

RED JUNE. P. salicina. Botan. Long 
Fruit. Red Negate. Shiro Smomo. Red 
June is distinguished from all other plums by 
its fruit-characters: the plums are distinctly 
cordate in shape with a deep cavity and a 
pointed apex; the color is a mottled garnet-red 
overlaid with delicate bloom; the flesh is a 
light yellow, firm enough to endure transporta- 
tion well, peculiarly aromatic, sweet, and not 
wholly agreeable in flavor; the stone adheres 
tightly to the flesh. The trees are large, vig- 
orous, spreading, hardy, healthy, and produc- 
tive. Other good qualities of the variety are 
that it blooms late; the fruits are compara- 
tively immune to curculio and brown-rot and 



214 



REINE CLAUDE 



RUTLAND PLUMCOT 



hang to the trees exceptionally well. This is 
one of the plums that varies in season of ripen- 
ing, but usually the fruits ripen a week or more 
before those of Abundance. Red June is some- 
what self-sterile. The variety was imported 
from Japan by H. H. Berger and Company, 
San Francisco, California, under the name 
Shiro Smomo, about 1887. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, pro- 
ductive, healthy. Leaves oblanceolatc, 1 inch wide, 
2% inches long, thin; apex taper-pointed; base acumi- 
nate ; margin finely serrate, with small glands ; petiole 
^4 inch long, slender, tinged red, hairy along one side, 
with 1-3 small, brown glands usually at the base of 
the leaf. Flowers white. Fruit early, IVi inches by 
1% inches in size, round-cordate, sides unequal; cavity 
large, deep, narrow, regular, abrupt ; suture deep, dis- 
tinct ; apex very pointed ; color garnet-red, mottled ; 
bloom thin ; dots numerous, small, russet ; stem V4 inch 
long adhering to the fruif; skin tender, astringent, 
separating easily ; flesh light yellow, fibrous, meaty, 
sweet except near the center ; good ; stone clinging, ir- 
regular-oval, flattened, pointed at both ends, with 
pitted surfaces. 

REINE CLAUDE. P. domesiica. Green 
Gage. For the qualities that gratify the sense 
of taste— richness of flavor, consistency and 
texture of flesh, abundance of juice, and pleas- 
ant aroma, the fruits of Reine Claude are 
unsurpassed. Under ordinary cultivation, the 
plum is not remarkably handsome, but when 
grown on thrifty trees, the crop thinned, foliage 
and fruit kept free from pests, and the fruit 
sufficiently exposed to the sun to color well, 
it is beautiful. The trees are only of moderate 
size in the orchard, and in the nursery are so 
small and wayward that nurserymen hesitate 
to grow them; although small, they are pro- 
ductive and bear regularly, the chief defect 
being susceptibility to sun-scald, whereby the 
bark on the tree is killed and the beginning 
of the end is marked. Another serious fault is 
that the fruit cracks badly if showers occur at 
ripening time. Reine Claude is still one of the 
most profitable plums grown, and, whether for 
the commercial or home plantation, deserves a 
place in the plum orchard. Bavay, a distinct 
variety, is called the true Reine Claude by 
many nurserymen and horticultural writers. 
Green Gage, a synonym of Reine Claude, is 
preferred by some writers. The variety is an 
old one from Europe. 

Tree of medium size and vigor, round-topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves 4% inches long, 2 inches wide, 
oval, thick, leathery ; apex acute ; margin often doubly 
crenate, glandular ; petiole % inch long, tinged red, 
glandless or with one or two small, globose, greenish 
glands. Fruit midseason ; 1% by 1% inches in size, 
round-oval, halves equal ; cavity narrow, regular, 
abrupt ; suture shallow, broad ; apex pubescent, slightly 
depressed ; color yellowish-green, indistinctly streaked 
with green, becoming golden-yellow at full maturity, 
sometimes mottled on the sunny side with red, over- 
spread witii thin bloom ; dots very numerous, small, 
grayish, conspicuous, clustered about the apex ; stem 
thick, % inch long, pubescent ; skin tough, adhering 
to the pulp ; flesh greenish-yellow or golden-yellow, 
juicy, firm, sweet, mild ; very good ; stone semi-clinging, 
oval, turgid, tapering at the base, blunt at the apex, 
with thickly pitted surfaces. 

ROBINSON. P. Munsoniana. Robinson 
has long been one of the best known plums of 
its species. The plums are attractive in color- 
ing, but small in size and comparatively low in 



quality. The trees are capricious in grovrth 
and not so hardy as some others of the species, 
but where they can be grown are always pro- 
ductive. The variety is rated by some among 
those that need cross-pollination to insure 
crops. Robinson may be worth growing in the 
South and in the states of the Plains. This 
variety is a seedling grown by a Mr. Pickett, 
Putnam County, Indiana, about 1835. 

Tree often large, vigorous, spreading, not uniform 
in habit. Leaves lanceolate, peach-like, 1 f^ inches 
wide, 31^ inches long, thin; apex taper-pointed; base 
obtuse ; margin very finely serrate, with small, dark 
red glands ; petiole slender, % inch long, reddish, 
lightly pubescent along one side, glandless or with 1-7 
small, globose, reddish-brown glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across, whitish, somewhat self-sterile. Fruit early ; 1 
inch in diameter, round-oval, halves equal ; cavity of 
medium depth and width, abrupt ; suture a line ; apex 
roundish ; color clear currant-red, over.spread with thick 
bloom ; dots scattering, large, russet, clustered around 
the apex ; stem slender, % inch long, glabrous, ad- 
hering to the fruit ; skin tough, bitter, separating 
readily ; flesh golden-yellow, very juicy, fibrous, tender 
and melting, sweet next the skin, with some astringency 
near the center, of pleasant flavor ; fair in quality ; 
stone clinging, oval, turgid, very slightly flattened and 
necked at the base, abrupt-pointed at the apex, roughish. 

ROLLINGSTONE. P. americana. Min- 
nesota. Rollingstone is an old Americana sort 
which has been kept in cultivation chiefly 
because the product is of very good quality. 
The fruits are dull in color, small, but not un- 
attractive in appearance, and are little troubled 
by either brown-rot or curculio. The tree is 
dwarf with a crooked trunk, shaggy bark, 
unkempt top, and very twiggy — a typical 
Americana and most difficult to train into a 
good orchard plant. The variety is character- 
ized by long, conspicuous stamens, stigmas 
frequently defective, and very large leaves. 
Rollingstone was found on the Rollingstone 
Creek, Minnesota, by Mr. O. M. Lord. 

Tree dwarf, variable in vigor, spreading, flat-topped, 
hardy, productive, healthy. Leaves falling early, long- 
ovate, iy2 inches wide, 3% inches long, thin; apex 
taper-pointed ; base rather acute ; margin coarsely and 
doubly serrate, eglandular ; petiole slender, % inch 
long, tinged red, sparingly pubescent, with 1 or 2 
small, globose reddish glands. Flowers % inch across, 
creamy-white, changing to white as the flowers expand. 
Fruit midseason or earlier ; 1 inch in diameter, round, 
halves equal ; cavity shallow, flaring, marked before 
maturity with light-colored, radiating streaks ; suture 
a line ; apex roundish ; color dark purplish-red, with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, small, light russet, in- 
conspicuous ; stem slender, i^c inch long, adhering 
poorly to the fruit ; skin thick, tough, semi-adherent ; 
flesh orange-yellow, juicy, fibrous, tender and melting, 
sweet, strongly aromatic ; good ; stone semi-free, round- 
oval, flattened, smoothish, blunt at the base and apex. 

RUTLAND PLUMCOT. P. salicinaX 
P. americana. Phmtcot. One of the interesting 
novelties of recent plum-breeding is the 
Plumcot, grown by Luther Burbank from a 
cross between the pUrni and the apricot. As 
he has not seen the fruit of this remarkable 
cross, the author is unable to judge of its value 
to the plum-grower. The variety was intro- 
duced by the Fancher Creek Nursery in 1906. 
The following description is compiled: 

Tree vi^rorous, spreading, open, not a heavy bearer ; 
branches thorny; leaves oval, 1% inches wide, 2% inches 
loni, rather stiff ; margin finely and doubly crenate, 
glandular ; petiole greenish-red, with 1-4 globose glands. 



SAPA 



SHROPSHIRE 



215 



The fruit in California attains large size; suture and 
cavity deep ; skin fuzzy like an apricot, purple ; flesh 
deep red, subacid ; quality fair ; stone large, broad-oval. 

SAPA. P. Bcsseyi X P- salicina. This \-a- 
riety is another of the hardy plums originated 
by N. E. Hansen of the South Dakota Ex- 
periment Station. The originator gives its 
parentage as a cross between the western Sand 
cherry, P. Besseyi, and Sultan, a Japanese 
plum. The new variety first fruited in 1907. 
Hansen describes the tree as plum-like in 
growth, and says that one-year-old trees in the 
nursery bear fruit-buds. The fruit is described 
as having a dark purple glossy skin and the 
rich purple flesh of the Sultan. So far, the 
variety is grown only in the northern states of 
the Great Plains. 

SATSUMA. P. salicina. Beni Smomo. 
Blood Plum. Honsmomo. There is a group 
of several varieties of Japanese plums unique 
in having deep red flesh. Of these red-fleshed 
plums, Satsuma was the first to be introduced 
in America, and is one of the parents of most 
of the others. While the fruit is not so large 
nor so handsome in color as some of its off- 
spring, Satsuma is still one of the best va- 
rieties for quality of fruit, and its trees are as 
good as those pf any of the other sorts. The 
plums keep and ship well, and, if of sufficient 
size and allowed to color properly, make a 
good showing on the markets. The trees are 
above the average for the species in size, habit, 
health, hardiness, and productiveness, though 
they bear sparingly when young. They bloom 
early in the season and are distinguished from 
other sorts of the same species by having many 
spurs and short branches along the main 
branches. Satsuma was raised from the same 
lot of plum pits from which the Burbank 
came; the seeds were sent to Luther Burbank 
by a Japanese agent in 1883. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, upright-spreading, 
usually quite hardy, moderately productive, bearing 
heavier crops as the tree becomes older. Leaves 
lanceolate, 4 inches by lYs inches in size, of medium 
thickness ; margin finely and doubly crenate, glandular ; 
petiole % inch long, tinged red, with 1-3 reniform, 
greenish-yellow glands. Blossoms white, borne in pairs 
or in threes. Fruit midseason or later ; 2 inches in 
diameter ; round-cordate, flattened at the base, com- 
pressed, halves unequal ; cavity deep, narrow, abrupt, 
compressed ; suture prominent ; apex pointed ; color 
dark dull red, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, russet, 
conspicuous, clustered about the apex ; stem slender, % 
inch long, glabrous ; skin of medium thickness and 
toughness, bitter, semi-adherent ; flesh dark purplish- 
red, juicy, tender at the skin, tough at the center, sweet, 
with an almond-like flavor ; of good quality ; stone 
semi-clinging or clinging, oval, strongly pointed, rough, 
red. 

SHIPPER. P. domcstica. Shipper Pride. 
This plum has never become an important 
commercial variety, yet it is offered by a large 
number of nurseiymen. The variety has too 
many faults to succeed in competition with 
the many good plums of its color and season. 
The fruits are dry and often shrivel on the 
tree, characters which fit it for shipping, but 
which, with poor quality and small size, make 
is of little value after it reaches the market. 
Moreover, the trees fruit sparingly under many 



conditions, and the crops ripen unevenly. The 
plum was found by H. S. Wiley, Port Byron, 
New York, about 1877. 

Tree large, vigorous, round-topped, hardy, productive. 
Leaves many, oval, 1% inches wide, 3^^ inches long, 
thick, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed or acute ; margin 
serrate or crenate, eglandular or with small dark glands ; 
petiole ^2 inch long, thick, pubescent, with a red tinge, 
or with 1 or 2 globose, yellowish-green glands. Flowers 
IV^ inches across, white. Fruit late, 1^ inches by 
1% inches in size, ovate, swollen on the suture side, 
compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, abrupt ; 
suture shallow ; apex bluntly pointed ; color purplish- 
black, overspread with thick bloom ; dots small, russet, 
conspicuous ; stem % inch long, pubescent, adhering 
well to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating readily ; 
flesh greenish-yellow, tart, firm, sweet, mild in flavor ; 
inferior in quality ; stone semi-clinging, with red tinge 
near the edge, irregular roundish-ovate, turgid, rough, 
blunt at the base and apex. 

SHIRO. P. Simonii X P- salicina. Late 
Klondike. The fruits of Shiro are large and 
handsome in form and color; the flesh is ten- 
der, melting, and juicj', and so translucent that 
the pit can be seen through the flesh ; the 
plums are pleasant to eat and may be ranked 
as good in quality; they ship well if not fully 
mature, but quickly go down after ripening; 
fruit and tree are susceptible to brown-rot. 
The trees are vigorous, hardy, and productive. 
This is one of Burbank's plums, introduced in 



Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, tender to cold, 
productive. Leaves obovate, 1-^^ inches wide, 2% 
inches long, leather.v ; apex acutely pointed ; base acute ; 
margin finely crenate. with small, dark glands ; petiole 
% inch long, pubescent along one side, greenish-red, 
with 1 or 2 small, globose, yellowish glands. Flowers 
white. Fruit very early; IV^ inches in diameter, round- 
conic, with halves equal ; cavity flaring, regular ; suture 
an indistinct line ; apex roundish ; color light yellow 
becoming deeper as the season advances, occasionally 
with a blush, with thin bloom ; dots numerous, very 
minute, white, inconspicuous ; stem % inch long, ad- 
hering to the fruit ; skin thin, tough, sour, occasionally 
cracking, separating readily, although a thin coating 
of flesh is left clinging to the skin ; flesh light yellow, 
semi-transparent, the stone being faintly visible, very 
juicy, fibrous, melting, sweet, mild, lacks character in 
flavor ; good ; stone clinging, broadly oval, flattened, 
slightly elongated at the base, with rough surfaces. 



SHROPSHIRE. 

Fig. 206. P. uuitilia. 
Damascene. Dam'son 
Plum. Shropshire Dam- 
son. Shropshire is the 
best known of the 
Damsons, found not 
only in nearl.v all com- 
mercial plantations, but 
in the smallest home 
collections as well. The 
qualities which make it 
so generally a favorite 
are for most part those 
of the tree, which is not 
surpassed by any other 
Insititia in size, vigor, 
hardiness, and health. 
The tree is enormously 
productive, bearing its 
load of fruit year after 
year until it is a stand- 
ard among fruits for 




206. Shropshire. 
(XI) 



216 



SIMON 



STODDARD 



productivity and reliability in bearing. It has 
but one defect — unless sprayed the foliage falls 
prey to fungi and drops early. The trees are 
easy to manage in pruning, spraying, and har- 
vesting, as they are not so thick-topped, twiggy, 
and spiny as other Damsons. The fruit is of 
medium size, and, while in no sense a dessert 
plum, may be eaten out of hand with relish 
when fully ripe or after a light frost. Shrop- 
shire is one of the best of the Damsons for 
culinary purposes. It originated in England 
sometime in the seventeenth century. 

Tree vigorous, vasiform, hardy, productive. Leaves 
flattened, obovate, about 1 inch wide, 2 inches long, 
thin : apex obtuse or acute ; margin finely serrate, 
eglandular ; petiole Vz inch long, slender, greenish-red, 
with little pubescence, with 1 or 2 small, globose, 
greenish-yellow glands. Flowers % inch across, white. 
Fruit late, season long; H4 inches by 1 inch in size, 
oval, compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, 
flaring ; suture an indistinct line ; apex roundish ; color 
purplisii-black, overspread with thick bloom ; dots nu- 
merous, small, russet ; stem slender. ^ inch long, 
glabrous, adhering to the fruit ; skin thin, tender, 
adhering ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, firm but tender, 
agreeably tart, pleasant ; stone clinging, oval, acute 
at the base, blunt at the apex, with nearly smooth 
surfaces. 

SIMON. P. Simonii. Simon's Plum. The 
Simon plum constitutes the species P. Simonii 
and has been discussed in the chapter dealing 
with the botany of the plum on page 123. 

SKUYA. P. aviericana X P- salicina. From 
a cross between DeSoto, an Americana, and 
Red June, a Japanese plum, Hansen of the 
South Dakota Experiment Station grew eight 
seedlings of which Skuya is the best. The trees 
are described by the originator as very strong, 
stocky, upright growers in the nursery, bearing 
fruit-buds on one-year-old wood. The fruit is 
dull, dark red and yellow, sweet and delicious, 
with a very small pit. The fruits are said to 
lack somewhat in size and brilliancy of color. 
The variety was introduced in the spring of 
190S and is now grown more or less in the 
northern states of the Great Plains. 

SMITH ORLEANS. P. domeslica. In 
the middle of the last century, Smith Orleans 
was considered about the best purple plum in 
America. But the fruit is not high in quality, 
the te.xture of the flesh is coarse, and it ripens 
at a time when fruits are plentiful, for which 
reason Smith Orleans has ceased to be re- 
garded with favor by the fruit-grower. The 
trees, however, have some remarkably desirable 
characters, and the variety should be retained 
for some locations and purposes and to breed 
from. Few plums are adapted to a greater 
range of climates and soils than this one; the 
trees, too, are of large size, vigorous, healthy, 
productive, and hold the crop well. Smith 
Orleans is a seedling of Orleans raised about 
1825 by a Mr. Smith, Gowanus, Long Island. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, very 
productive. Leaves obovate, 2 inches wide, 3% inches 
long, thick, velvety ; apex abruptly pointed or acute ; 
base acute ; margin crenate, with few small, dark 
brown glands ; petiole \i inch long, heavily pubescent, 
tinged red along one side, with 1 or 3 small, ' ' 



yellow glands. Flowers l^i inches across, white, with 
a yellow tinge. Fruit midseason, 1% inches by 1% 
inches in size, oval, compressed, halves unequal ; cavity 
shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture very shallow or a line ; 
apex roundish ; color dark purplish-black, overspread 
with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet ; stem 
% inch long, pubescent, adhering to the fruit ; skin 
below medium in thickness, tender, sour, separating 
readily ; flesh pale yellow, juicy, tender, sweet, of 
pleasant flavor ; good ; stone clinging, oval, with very 
rough and deeply pitted surfaces, flattened, tapering 
abruptly at the base, blunt at the apex. 

SOPHIE, p. Munsoniana. Without any 
very distinct merits, Sophie stands high among 
plums of its kind. The variety is a seedling 
of Wild Goose, at first supposed by the origi- 
nator, J. W. Kerr, Denton, Maryland, to have 
been pollinated by a German Prune which stood 
near. This is hardly the case, however, as no 
trace of Domestica blood can be detected in 
the variety. It was introduced about 1890. 

Tree large, very vigorous, spreading, open-topped, 
productive ; branches thorny, shaggy, with long and 
unbranched limbs. Leaves oval, 1% inches wide, 3^ 
inches long, thin ; margin shallowly crenate. with small 
glands. Flowers % inch across, white, pinlcish as they 
open, with a disagreeable odor. Fruit late; large, 1% 
inches by 1^ inches in size, obovate, slightly necked, 
pear-shaped, Ijright red, covered with thin bloom ; dots 
conspicuous ; stem slender, long ; flesh deep yellow, 
juicy, coarse and fibrous, subacid, flat ; of fair quality ; 
stone clinging, angular, irregular-obovate, with a pe- 
culiar elongated, flattened, oblique base ; apex abruptly 
acute ; surfaces rough. 

SPAULDING. P. domestica. Spaulding'is 
of the Reine Claude group, and, while its 
fruits are of high quality, the variety is not so 
good a dessert plum as several similar sorts. 
Besides being not quite up to the mark in 
quality, the plums are small and too light in 
color. Fruit and tree are susceptible to brown- 
rot and other fungi by which plums are at- 
tacked. The tree-characters of this variety are 
in the main very good but not at all out of the 
ordinary. Spaulding was brought to notice by 
J. T. Lovett, Little Silver, New Jersey, in 1888. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense-topped. 
Leaves 2 inches wide, 3 1^ inches long, thick ; apex 
abruptly pointed or acute ; base acute ; margin serrate 
or crenate, witli small, dark glands ; petiole % inch 
long, thick, pubescent, tinged red, with 1-4 small, 
globose, greenish glands. Flowers 1 inch or more 
across, white. Fruit midseason ; 1% by 1% inches in 
size, oblong-oval or ovate, compressed, halves equal ; 
cavity small, shallow, abrupt ; suture shallow, often a 
line ; apex roundish ; color dull greenish-yellow, with 
stripes and splashes of light green, overspread with 
thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, whitish ; stem % 
inch long, lightly pubescent, adhering well to the 
fruit ; skin thin, tender, separating readily ; flesh 
greenish-yellow, juicy, fibrous, tender, sweet, mild, pleas- 
ant : very good ; stone semi-free or free, ovate, turgid, 
Bliglitly pitted, blunt at the base, acute at the apex. 

STODDARD. P americana. Baker. Stod- 
dard is rated as one of the best of the Ameri- 
cana plums in both fruit- and tree-characters. 
The firmness of the fruit makes it a good 
shipping plum of its kind and season. This 
variety was discovered by B. F. Stoddard, 
Jesup, Iowa, about 1875. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open-topped, pro- 
ductive. Leaves falling early, flattened, oval or obovate, 
2Vi inches wide, 4 inches long; margin coarsely serrate, 
eglandular; petiole tinged red, glandless 
glands. Flo ' ' ' .:.--i» _: 



SUGAR 



TENNANT 



217 



inches in diameter, round-oblate; suture a distinct red 
line ; color light to dark red over a yellow ground, 
mottled, covered with thick bloom ; skin astringent ; 
flesh dark golden-yellow, very juicy, tender and melting, 
sweet next the skin but tart rear the center, with a 
characteristic flavor ; good ; stone clinging, broad-oval, 
strongly flattened, with smooth surfaces. 

SUGAR. Fig. 207. P. domcstica. Sugar 
Prune. The introduction of Sugar was pre- 
ceded by very flattering accounts. Possibly 
expectations in the East were too high; for 
eastern plum-growers have been greatly dis- 
appointed in this plum as compared with its 




207. Sugar. (XD 

parent, Agen. The fruits of Sugar in the East 
are not larger than those of Agen, while in 
California they are said to be twice or three 
times as large; the flavor is not so pleasant, 
although in California the fruit of Sugar is said 
to be of better quality than that of Agen. The 
trees of the two plums are much alike, though 
those of Agen are larger and more productive 
than those of Sugar as gro\Tn in New York. 
The variety was introduced by its originator, 
Burbank, in 1899. 

Tree of medium size, vigorous, spreading, dense-topped, 
hardy, productive. Leaves oval, 2^ inches wide, 5 
inches long ; apex abruptly pointed ; base acute ; mar- 
gin serrate, with small dark glands ; petiole 1 inch 
long, covered with thick pubescence, tinged with red, 
glandless or with 1-3 small, globose, greenish-yellow 
glands. Fruit midseason ; small, oval, halves equal 
cavity shallow, narrow, atirupt ; suture shallow, often 
a line ; apex roundish or pointed ; color dark reddish- 
purple, changing to purplish-black, covered with thick 
bloom ; dots numerous, small, light russet ; stem slender, 
long, pubescent, adhering ; skin thin, tender, separating 
readily ; flesh golden-yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, ten- 
der, sweet, mild ; good to very good ; stone light colored, 
with a tinge of red, thin, of medium size, ovate, flat- 
tened, with rough and pitted surfaces, blunt at the 
base, acute at the apex. 

SURPRISE. P. hortulana Mincri. Sur- 
prise is one of the best of the native plums. 
The fruits are very attractive in appearance. 



and, while not of the rich flavor of the Do- 
mesticas, they are yet of pleasant flavor; have 
an abundance of juice; keep well and ship 
well; and the color is a peculiar red which 
serves to identify the variety. The trees are 
productive. Surprise, according to Martin 
Penning, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, is the best 
of a thousand or more seedlings grown from 
pits of De Soto, Weaver, and Miner sown in 
1882. 

Tree large, vigorous, upright, dense-topped, hardy, 
productive. Leaves falling early, ovate, 2 inches wide, 
4^ inches long, thin; apex taper-pointed; base abrupt; 
margin often coarsely and doubly serrate, with amber 
glands which are not persistent ; petiole {^ inch 
long. Blender, reddish, glandless or with 1-5 small, 
globose, yellowish-brown glands. Flowers % inch 
across, creamy-white, with a disagreeable odor. Fruit 
midseason; 1% by 1% inches in size, halves equal; 
cavity shallow, flaring ; suture very shallow, distinct ; 
apex roundish or depressed ; color dark red. covered with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, russet, conspicuous, clus- 
tered about the apex ; stem V4 inch long, glabrous, ad- 
hering to the fruit ; skin thick, tough, clinging ; flesh 
golden-yellow, juicy, fibrous, tender, sweet, insipid ; 
qualit.v fair ; stone clinging, oval, flattened, pointed at 
the base and apex, with smooth surfaces. 

TATGE. P. domestica. Tatge is so similar 
to Lombard that most authorities on plums 
consider them identical — certainly they are so 
nearly alike that a separate description and 
discussion are not needed. Some plum-growers 
believe Tatge to be hardier and less subject 
to brown-rot than Lombard. The variety is 
grown only in Iowa and neighboring states. 
It seems to have been brought to notice about 
1890 by J. W. Kerr of Maryland. 

TENNANT. Fig. 208. P. domestica. In 
size and beauty of form and coloring, the fruits 
of Tennant have few superiors among plums. 
While not sufficiently high in quality to be 
called a first-rate des- 
sert fruit, the fruits are 
more palatable than 
most other purple 
plums; they ripen at a 
good time of the year, 
several days before the 
Italian Prune ; and both 
ship and keep well. 
The trees are large, vig- 
orous, healthy, hardy, 
and productive — almost 
ideal plum-trees. This 
variety should be very 
generally tried in com- 
mercial plantations, and 
may well be planted in 
home collections for 

culinary fruit. On the Pacific coast, the fruits 
are cured for prunes, their meaty flesh fitting 
them very well for this purpose. Tennant 
originated with Rev. John Tennant, Ferndale, 
Washington, and was introduced in 1893. 

Tree large, vigorous, round-topped, open, hardy, pro- 
ductive. Leaves obovate, 1% inches wide, 3% inches 
long, thick, stiff ; apex abruptly pointed to acute ; 
base acute ; margin crenate, with small, brown glands ; 
petiole % inch long, thick, tinged red along one side, 
hairy, glandless or with 1 or 2 rather large, globose, 
brownish glands. Flowers 1 inch or more across, white. 




208. Tennant. (X%) 



218 



TERRELL 



WASHINGTON 



the buds tinged yellow. Fruit midseason ; 1 % inches 
in diameter, round-oblong, with irregular surface which 
is somewhat ridged, halves equal ; cavity narrow, abrupt, 
compressed ; suture distinct ; apex deeply depressed ; 
color dark reddish-purple, with thick bloom ; dots 
numerous, white, conspicuous, clustered about the apex ; 
stem thick, % incli long, pubescent, adhering well to 
the fruit ; skin tough, adhering slightly to the pulp ; 
flesh dark golden-yellow, dry, coarse, tough, firm, sweet, 
mild but pleasant ; of good quality ; stone clinging, 
irregular-oval, tiattened, obliquely necked, blunt at 
the apex, with deeply pitted surfaces, rough. 

TERRELL. P. salicina X P- Munsoniana. 
Terrell is one of the leading plums in Florida 
and the Gulf states, and was placed on the 
fruit-list of the American Pomological Society 
for this region in 1903. It is noteworthy as one 
of the few crosses between the Japanese plum 
and P. Munsoniana. The variety was intro- 
duced by the Glen St. Mary Nurseries, Glen 
St. Mary, Florida, in 1904, and is a seedling 
of the older and better-known Excelsior. 

Tree healthy, vigorous, productive, bearing hea\'y 
crops annually. Fruit ripens in June in Florida, me- 
dium to large, nearly round ; suture a line but distinct ; 
apex blunt ; cavity medium in depth, abrupt ; stem 
short and slender ; skin thin, tough, a little astringent, 
reddish-yellow, somewhat mottled and deepening to 
wine-red ; dots minute to conspicuous, yellow ; flesh 
greenish-yellow, firm, subacid, sweet, rich ; quality 
rated as good to very good in the South ; stone small, 
broadly oval, turgid, clinging rather tenaciously. 

TRAGEDY. Fig. 209 P. domestica. The 
fruits of Tragedy are very attractive in ap- 
pearance — above medium size, a dark, rich 




209. Tragedy. (XD 

purple color, and having the full, rounded form 
much liked by consumers in a dessert plum. 
The flesh is juicy, tender, and sweet, so that 
the quality may be called good; possibly the 
flesh is a little too soft for distant shipping or 
long keeping. The trees are very satisfactory, 
except that in some regions they are not quite 
as reliable in bearing as could be wished. A 



fault is a large proportion of the pits are 
cracked and many are soft and granular, A 
plum with the good qualities possessed by 
Tragedy should be better known. Tragedy 
originated as a chance seedling on the farm 
of 0. R, Runyon, Sacramento, California. 

Tree large, vigorous, round-topped, hardy, variable in 
productiveness. Leaves obovate, 1% inches wide, 3% 
inches long ; apex acute or obtuse ; base acute ; petiole % 
inch long, thick, pubescent, faintly tinged red, glandless 
or with 1 or 2 small, globose, greenish-brown glands. 
Flowers % inch across, white. Fruit early, season short ; 
1% by 1% inches in size, oval, swollen on the suture 
side, compressed, halves unequal ; cavity narrow, abrupt, 
regular ; suture shallow, often an indistinct line ; apex 
roundish ; color dark purplish-black with thick bloom ; 
dots numerous, russet, inconspicuous ; stem % inch 
long, pubescent, adhering well to the fruit ; skin 
separating readily ; flesh greenish-yellow, juicy, tender, 
sweet, mild ; good ; stone clinging, irregular-oval, flat- 
tened, obliquely necked ; apex acute ; surfaces pitted, 
roughish. 

UNGARISH. P. domestica. Hungarian. 
Hungarian Prune. Hungary. Ungarish Prune. 
Budd's Ungarish as grown at the New York 
State Experiment Station is nearly identical 
with Italian. The only differences are: the 
Italian fruit is smaller, a little firmer, not 
so broad, nor quite so sweet as that of 
Ungarish. The pit of the latter is usually 
tinged with red, while that of the former is 
rarely so colored. If Ungarish proves as pro- 
ductive as Italian, it may be more desirable 
because of its larger fruits. In 1883, Professor 
J. L. Budd of the Iowa Experiment Station 
Imported trees under the name Quetsche de 
Hongrie or Zwetsche Ungarische from Russia. 
Budd disseminated the variety as Hungary, a 
name soon changed to Hungarian and later to 
Ungarish. This is not to be confused with the 
true Hungarian, so well known in Europe as 
the Quetsche de Hongrie. 

VORONESH. P. domestica. Moldavka. 
Voronesh Yellow. Voronesh is a Russian sort 
supposed to be ironclad to cold. The trees are 
ver>' productive ; and the fruits are attractive 
enough in size and color to meet market de- 
mands, but the flavor is so insipid as to make 
the plum unfit for dessert and hardly fit for 
kitchen use. In 1881, Professor J. L. Budd im- 
ported from Voronesh, Russia, a variety which 
he introduced as Voronesh Yellow. At the 
same time he imported a variety under the 
name Moldavka which proved to be identical 
with Voronesh Yellow. The variety is distinct 
in tree and fruit from other sorts of its species. 

Tree of medium size, round-topped, productive. Leaves 
drooping, narrow-obovate, 2^ inches wide, 4^ inches 
long, thick ; margin doubly serrate, with small, yellowish- 
red glands. Flowers 1^ inches across, dull white. 
Fruit midseason, ripening periofl short ; 1 % by 1'^ 
inches in size, ovate, necked, enlarged on the suture 
side, dark lemon-yellow, with thin bloom ; dots very 
numerous, white, conspicuous ; stem adhering strongly 
to the fruit ; skin tough, sour ; flesh dark amber-yellow, 
very tender, sweet, mild ; poor ; stone free, long-oval, 
flattened, somewhat necked, acute at the apex, the 
surfaces smooth or partially honeycombed. 

WASHINGTON. Fig. 210. Bolmar. Jack- 
son. Superior Green Gage. The fruits of 
Washington are large; handsome in form and 



WAYLAND 



WICKSON 



219 



color; abundant in juice, yet firm and meaty 
enough m tiesli to keep and ship well; and 
very good in flavor. The trees are large, hardy, 
vigorous, and healthy; remarkable for their 
broad, glossy, abundant leaves; and bear 
bountiful crops annually at a favorable period 
of maturity. The variety, however, is not 
without defects; the fruits are subject to 
brown-rot; the quality varies greatly in differ- 
ent locations and years; the trees are slow in 




210. Washington. (XD 

coming in bearing; and the crops are small 
for some years after fruiting begins. While 
this variety is almost always worth planting 
in a home collection, the location for it as a 
commercial fruit needs to be chosen with care. 
About the year 1790, the pits of twenty-five 
quarts of Green Gage plum were planted by 
the Princes at Flushing, Long Island. From 
one of these Washington came. 

Tree large, vigorous, round and open-topped, hardy, very 
productive. Leaves flattened, oval, 2% inches wide. 4^ 
inches long, leathery, velvety ; apex acute ; base abrupt ; 
margin serrate, eglandular ; petiole % inch long, green, 
pubescent, glandless or with 1 or 2 smallish, globose, 
greenish-yellow glands. Flowers appearing after the 
leaves, 1 ^s inches across, white, with yellow near 
the apex. Fruit midseason ; 1% by 1% inches in size, 
round-oval, compressed, halves equal ; cavity shallow, 
narrow, flaring ; suture shallow ; apex roundish ; color 
greenish-yellow, with green stripes and splashes, oc- 
casionally with a faint blush on the sunny side, with 
thin bloom ; dots numerous, white, inconspicuous ; stem 
% inch long, with thick pubescence, adhering strongly 
to the fruit ; skin thin, sour, separating readily ; flesh 
greenish-yellow, juicy, firm, tender, sweet, mild, pleasant 
flavor : good to very good ; stone free, oval, turgid, 
roughened, somewhat blunt at the base and apex. 

WAYLAND. P. hortulana. Wayland ia 
of little interest to plum-growers who grow 
the Domestica varieties without difficulty, but 
in the South and Middle West it is an impor- 
tant representative of a valuable species. The 
trees withstand the hot, dry weather in the 
region south of central Iowa and Nebraska 
rather better than do those of varieties of other 



species, and the fruits are borne in such quanti- 
ties and so late that this and kindred sorts be- 
come important plums. The fruits are quite too 
firm of flesh, too sour, and too small to be of 
value for dessert purposes, but they are most 
excellent for jellies, marmalades, and pre- 
serves; they are also best adapted for long- 
keeping and shipping of all the native plums. 
The trees are large, robust, and hardy as far 
north as central New York ; usually free from 
attacks of insects and fungi; and, with their 
abundant, glossy foliage, are strikingly orna- 
mental. Wayland was found in a plum thicket 
on the premises of Professor H. B. Wayland, 
Cadiz, Kentucky. 

Tree very large and vigorous, spreading, somewhat 
drooping, flat-topped, open, hardy. Leaves long-oval, 
peach-like, 1% inches across, 5 inches long, thin; apex 
acuminate ; base abrupt ; margin unevenly serrate, 
glandular ; petiole 1 inch long, slender, pubescent along 
one side, with a tinge of red. with 1-5 very small, 
globose, brownish glands. Flowers \% inch across, 
white, with disagreeable odor. Fruit very late, season 
long ; \% by 1 inch in size, round-ovate, narrowing 
toward the stem, conical, slightly compressed, halves 
equal : cavity deep, narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow and 
wide, often a distinct line ; apex pointed ; color dark 
currant-red, with inconspicuous, thin bloom ; dots nu- 
merous, conspicuous, densely clustered about the apex ; 
stem slender, % inch long, glabrous, not adhering to 
the fruit ; skin thick, tough, clinging but slightly ; flesh 
light yellow, juicy, coarse, fibrous, tender, sweet next 
the skin but astringent towards the pit ; fair to good ; 
stone clinging, long-oval, somewhat elongated at the 
base and apex, turgid with rough and pitted surfaces, v 

WEAVER. P. americana. Weaver is an 
old and well-known Americana, once one of 
the most popular of its species because of 
hardiness and productiveness. It is still listed 
by many nurserymen, and is widely distributed 
throughout the country, but is now rapidly 
passing out of cultivation, being superseded by 
sorts producing larger and better colored fruits. 
This variety was found growing wild on the 
Cedar River, in Iowa, by a Mr. Weaver, about 
1870. 

Tree large, vigorous, well formed, upright-spreading, 
unusually hardy, productive. Leaves falling late, 4^ 
inches long, 2 ^ inches wide, oval, firm, thick, leathery ; 
apex acuminate ; base acute ; margin deeply and 
coarsely serrate; petiole % inch long, stout, reddish, 
slightly pubescent along one side, usually with 2 large, 
globose, reddish-brown glands. Flowers large, promi- 
nently stalked. Fruit midseason or later ; 1 by 94 inch 
in size, large, oval or round-oblong, compressed, halves 
unequal ; cavity shallow, narrow, abrupt ; suture shal- 
low, distinct ; apex roundish or depressed ; color yellow- 
ish overlaid with purplish-red, mottled with tliin bloom ; 
dots numerous, smaU. often purplish, inconspicuous ; 
skin thick, very tough, astringent, adhering to the pulp ; 
flesh deep yellow, juicy, firm and meaty, sweet, mild ; 
fair to good ; stone long and narrow, oval, flattened, 
obscurely pointed at the base and apex, smooth. 

WICKSON. Fig, 211. P. salicinaXP- 
Simonii. Eureka. Perfection. The fruit of 
Wickson is the largest of the Oriental plums, 
if not the largest of all plums ; it is of hand- 
some color and distinct form ; the flesh is 
firm and of a peculiar flavor, generally consid- 
ered pleasant. These characters and the nar- 
row upright tree, with its long lanceolate 
leaves, mark the variety as a new and for some 
parts of the country a valuable addition to 
pomology. In the East, the variety is a little 



220 



WILD GOOSE 



WOLF 



tender in tree and bud, hardy only where the 
peach can be grown; it blooms too early to be 
safe from frost; it is susceptible to brown-rot; 




211. Wickson. (xn 

the trees are late in coming in bearing and are 
not reliable m fruitmg; the fruits ripen un- 
evenly; and the trees are not of good form for 
heavy crops. In California, however, Wickson 
is one of the leading Japanese sorts, and is 
apparently growing m favor. Wickson is the 
best known of Burbank's many plums. It was 
first described in 1S92. 

Tree medium to large, vigorous, with narrow, upright 
head, dense-topped, tender to cold, an uncertain bearer. 
Leaves oblanceolate, 1 inch wide, 3 inches long, thin ; 
apex taper-pointed : base cuneate ; margin finely serrate, 
with reddish glands ; petiole % inch long, faintly 
tinged red, glandless or with 1-9 small, reniform, 
greenish or yellow glands. Flowers appearing after 
the leaves, intermediate in size, white. Fruit early 
midseason ; 2% inches in diameter, obliquely cordate, 
halves unequal ; cavity deep, abrupt, with concentric 
rings : suture prominent and deep, with a prolonged tip 
at the apex ; color dark red over a yellow ground, in- 
distinctly splashed with darker red, mottled with thin 
bloom ; dots numerous, small, yellow, densely clustered 
about the apex ; stem thick, \i inch long, glabrous ; 
skin thin, tender, separating easily ; flesh amber-yellow, 
juicy, coarse, fibrous, firm, sweet, pleasant but not high 
in flavor ; good ; stone clinging, oval or ovate, pointed, 
with pitted surfaces. 

WILD GOOSE. Fig. 212. P. Munsoniana. 
Wild Goose was the first of the native plums 
to be generally grown as a distinct variety. 
It is probably a parent of more sorts than any 
other variety of the several cultivated native 
species; most of its offspring so strongly re- 
semble it that its name has been given to a 
group of closely related sorts. In spite of the 
great number of native plums that have been 
introduced in recent years, Wild Goose is still 
a favorite. Good qualities of the plum are: 
bright attractive color; tender and melting 
flesh with a sprightly and refreshing flavor; a 
tough skin which fits it well for shipment and 



long-keeping; comparative freedom from 
brown-rot and curculio. The trees are large, 
hardy, healthy, and, when cross-pollinated, 
very productive. Wherever planted, there 
should be some 
other native sort 
blooming at the 
same time for 
cross- pollination. 
About 1820, M. E. 
McCrance, Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, 
shot a wild goose; 
his wife, in dress- 
ing the goose, found 
a plum seed in its 
craw, which, plant- 
ed, produced the 
Wild Goose tree. 

Tree very large and 
vigorous, wide .spread- 
ing, flat-topped, hardy. 



eolate 
inches 




212. Wild Goose. (XD 

yello 



peach-like, 
long, 1^ inches 
thin; apex taper- 
pointed ; base abrupt; 
margin finely serrate, 
with small, reddish- 
black glands ; petiole 
% inch long, slender, 
pubescent along one 
side, tinged red, gland- 
less or with l-ti globose, yellow or reddish-brown 
glands. Flowers % inch across, white, with disagree- 
able odor. Fruit very early; 1% by 1 -ft inches 
in size, oval, halves equal ; cavity small, narrow, shal- 
low, abrupt : suture an indistinct line ; apex round or 
pointed ; color bright red, with thin bloom ; dots few, 
light russet, conspicuous, clustered about the apex ; the 
stem attached to a stem-like growth from the fruit-spurs 
gives the appearance on the tree of a jointed stem, very 
Blender, % inch long, glabrous, not adliering to the 
fruit ; skin tough, astringent, separating readily ; flesh 
yellowish, juicy and fibrous, tender and melting, sweet 
next the skin but sour at the center, sprightly ; fair 
to good ; stone adhering, long and narrow-oval, flattened, 
slightly necked at the base, acute at the apex, rough- 
ened. 

WOLF. P. americana mollis. Wolf is noted 
for great hardiness, reliability in bearing, at- 
tractive and well-flavored fruits, and for being 
one of the few freestones of its kind. This 
plum is remarkably well adapted for the north- 
em part of the Mississippi Valley, and there, 
only, it is worth planting extensively. This 
variety was raised from a pit of a wild plum 
planted on the farm of D. B. Wolf, Wapello 
County, Iowa, about 1852. 

Tree large, vigorous, spreading, low, and open-topped, 
hardy, productive, healthy. Leaves falling early, oval, 
1% "inches wide, 3% inches long, thin; apex taper- 
pointed ; margin coarsely and doubly serrate, eglandu- 
lar ; petiole % inch long, velvety, tinged red, glandless 
or with 1 or 2 small, globose glands. Flowers 1 inch 
across, the buds tinged yellow, changing to white as 
the flowers expand. Fruit midseason, 1 inch in diam- 
eter, round-oval, compressed, halves equal ; cavity shal- 
low, narrow, at»rupt ; suture an indistinct line ; apex 
roundish or flattened ; color dull crimson, thickly mot- 
tled, with thick bloom ; dots numerous, small, russet ; 
stem slender, glabrous, adhering poorly to the fruit ; 
skin thick, tough, roughened, astringent, adhering ; flesh 
golden-yellow, very juicy, fibrous, tender and melting, 
sweet next the skin ; astringent toward the center ; fair 
to good ; stone semi-free to free, roundish-obovate, 
tapering at the base, blunt at the apex, with smooth 
surfaces. 



WOOD 



YELLOW EGG 



WOOD. P. americana. Wood seems to 
have considerable merit for cold climates. The 
plum is attractive in color; above the average 
size; and good in quality. The trees, in habit 
of growth and in productiveness, are better 
than those of most Americanas. The fruit 
ripens sufficiently early to fit into the short 
seasons of northern latitudes. This variety is 
a seedling from a chance phmi found growing 
in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. 

Tree of medium size, spreading, hardy, dense- topped, 
an annual and abundant bearer. Leaves falling early, 
ovate, 2 inches wide, 4 inches long, thin ; apex taper- 
pointed ; base abrupt ; margin coarsely serrate, with 
long, taper-pointed teeth, eglandular ; petiole % inch 
long, slender, tinged red, lightly pubescent, glandless 
or with 1 or 2 small, globose, greenish-red glands. 
Flowers H inch across, white. Fruit midseason, 
ripening period short ; 1 % inch in diameter, oblate, 
compressed, oblique, halves equal ; cavity flaring ; suture 
a line ; apex flattened or depressed ; color dark red 
over a yellow ground, mottled, with thin bloom ; dots 
numerous, light russet, inconspicuous ; stem ^ inch 
long, glabrous, detaches from the fruit when ripe ; skin 
thick, tough, sour, adhering ; flesh orange-yellow, juicy, 
coarse, fibrous, tender and melting, sweet, lacking in 
flavor ; fair in quality ; stone free, roundish, flattened, 
slightly oblique, blunt and flattened at the base, roundish 
at the apex, smooth. 



WORLD BEATER. Fig. 
213. P. hortulana. World 
Beater is very similar to 
Wayland, the plums differ- 
ing from those of the latter 
variety in being a week 
earlier, a little smaller, and 
more oval. In tree-charac- 
ters, World Beater is per- 
haps the better plum. This 
variety may be recom- 
mended for culinary pur- 
poses and as a late plum 
for regions where the peach 
is hardy. World Beater was 
grown by J. H. Tinsley from 
a seed planted near Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, in 1838. 



Tree large, vigorous, spreading, open and flat-topped, 
hardy where the peach can be grown, productive. Leaves 
broadly lanceolate, peach-like, 1% inches wide, 4Vfe 
inches long, thin ; apex acuminate ; base abrupt ; margin 
serrate, glandular ; petiole 1 inch long, slender, tinged 
red, pubescent on one side, with 2-6 small, globose, 
brownish glands. Flowers % inch across, white, with 
a disagreeable odor. Fruit very late, season short ; 
1 by % inch in size, round-ovate or oval, halves equal ; 
cavity narrow, shallow, abrupt ; suture a line ; apex 
bloomless ; dots medium in 
>us ; stem slender, glabrous, not 
skin thick, tough, astringent, 
adhering slightly ; flesh light yellow, juicy, coarse, 
melting near the skin but firmer and fibrous next the 
pit, sweet except near the center, strongly aromatic ; 
fair to good; stone often tinged red, adhering, oval, 
turgid, angular, pointed at the base and apex, rough- 




pointed ; color 
number, small, conspi< 
adhering to the fruit ; 



ish. 

WYANT. p. arncricana. Wyant is one 
of the standard Americana plums, ranking well 
with the best in both fruit- and tree-characters. 
The plums do not have the distinctive Ameri- 
cana taste; the flesh is less juicy; the skin is 
free; and the stones are nearly free and have 
pitted surfaces. Some of these characters 
are so valuable in a native plum that Wyant 



may well be used to breed from. This va- 
riety was found by J, B. Wyant, Janesville, 
Iowa. 

Tree small, spreading and straggling, flat-topped, very 
hardy, productive, healthy. Leaves falling early, oval, 
1% inches wide, 3^4 inches long, thin; apex acuminate; 
base abrupt ; margin coarsely and doubly serrate, the 
serrations sharp -pointed, not glandular ; petiole ^ inch 
long, tinged red, pubescent, glandless or with 1-5 
globose, yellowish-green glands. Flowers showy on ac- 
count of the many blossoms and peculiar appearance 
caused by the numerous long stamens, whitish, with 
disagreeable odor. Fruit midseason ; 1 % inches in 
diameter, oblong-obovate, oblique, truncate, halves 
equal ; cavity shallow, narrow, flaring ; suture a line ; 
apex flattened ; color dark carmine over a yellow ground, 
with thin bloom ; dots numerous, light russet, incon- 
spicuous ; stem slender, ^ inch long, glabrous, dehis- 
cent ; skin thin, tender, separating readily ; flesh dark 
golden-yellow, juicy, tender and melting, sweet ; of fair 
quality ; stone nearly free, broadly oval, flattened, blunt 
at the base, somewhat pointed at the apex, with pitted^ 
dark colored surfaces. 

YELLOW EGG. Fig. 214. P. domestica. 
Dame Aubert. Mogul. Wentworth. White 
Mogul. White Egg. Yellow Magnum Bonum. 




214. Yellow Egg. (XD 

Producing the largest and handsomest of 
plums, Yellow Egg is worth consideration by 
either the amateur or the commercial fruit- 
grower. At best, however, the fruit is fit only 
for cooking, and is none too good for culinary 
purposes. The trees are very satisfactory on 
all but very light soils. This plum ought to 
be crossed with varieties of better quality with 
the hope of getting as handsome a fruit, but 
one which could be used for dessert purposes. 
It is an old European variety. 



222 YELLOW EGG YELLOW EGG 

Tree large, vigorous, round-topped, open, hardy, very cavity narrow, abrupt ; suture shallow, often a line ; 

productive. Leaves flattened, oval, 2% inches wide, i'i apex roundish; color golden-yellow, with thick bloom; 

inches long, leathery ; apex abruptly pointed or acute ; dots numerous, white, inconspicuous ; stem slender, 1 Vi 

margin doubly serrate, with few dark glands ; petiole inches long, pubescent, adhering well to the fruit, 

% inch long, thick, reddish-purple, pubescent, glandlcss surrounded at the cavity by a fleshy collar ; skin thin, 

or with 1 oi 2 globose, yellowish-green glands. Flowers astringent, separating readily ; flesh golden-yellow, 

1 inch across, white, with a yellowish tinge at the tip juicy, coarse, firm, mild ; good ; stone semi-free or free, 

of the petals. Fruit late, season short ; 2 by 1 % inches oval, flat, acute at the base and apex, with roughened 

in size, long-oval, compressed, halves nearly equal ; and pitted surfaces. 



PART III 
THE GRAPE 



CHAPTER XIII 
BOTANY OF THE GRAPE 



The botany of the grape is simple. The 
organs of vine and fruit are easily recognized, 
and there are no other pomological plants with 
which the species of Vitis can be confused. 
While there are several cultivated species, each 
constitutes a natural group so distinct that the 
grower can hardly mistake one for another, 
if he has knowledge of the structure and habits 
of growth of the botanical groups of grapes. 
While it is less easy to distinguish horticultural 
varieties, this is not so difficult a task as with 
tree-, bush-, or bramble-fruits, since the dif- 
ferences in structure and habits are greater. 
Attention must now be called to the differences 
in organs on which botanical and horticultural 
classifications are founded. 

The grape plant. 

The structure of the root is important in 
distinguishing species. The roots of some 
species of the grape are soft and succulent, as 
those of V. vinijera, while the same organs in 
other species, as in most American grapes, are 
hard and fibrous. They may also be few or 
numerous, deep or shallow, spreading or re- 
stricted, fibrous or non-fibrous. 

Species of grapes have very characteristic 
vines. A glance at a vine enables one to tell 
the European grape from any of the American 
grapes; so also one is able to distinguish most 
of the American species by the aspect of the 
vine. Many varieties of any species of grape 
are readily told by the size and habits of the 
plant. Size of vine is rather more variable 
than other gross characters because of the in- 
fluences of environment, such as food, mois- 
ture, light, isolation, and pests; yet size in a 
plant or the parts of a plant is a very reliable 
character when proper allowances are made 
for environment. 

The degree of hardiness is a very important 
diagnostic character in determining both 
species and varieties of grapes, and very largely 
indicates their value for the vinej-ard. Thus 
the varieties of the European grape are less 
hardy than the peach, while our American 
Labruscas and Vulpinas are as hardy as the 
apple. The range of varieties as to hardiness 
falls within that of the species, and cultivated 
varieties hardier than the wild grape are not 
found. Grapes are designated in descriptions 
of varieties and species as hardy, halj-hardy, 
and tender. 

Habit of growth varies but little with chang- 
ing conditions, and is thus an important means 
of distinguishing species and varieties; not in- 
frequently it stamps the variety as fit or unfit 



for the vineyard. Habit of growth gives aspect 
to the vine. Thus a vine may be upright, 
drooping, horizontal, stocky, straggling, spread- 
ing, dense, or open. The vine mav grow 
rapidly or slowly, and may be long-lived or 
short-lived; the trunk may be short and stocky 
or long and slender. These several characters 
largely determine whether a vine is manage- 
able in the vineyard. Productiveness, age of 
bearing, and regularity of bearing are dis- 
tinctive characters with cultivated grapes. The 
care given the vine influences these characters; 
yet all are helpful in identifying species and 
varieties, and all must be considered by the 
grape-grower. 

Immunity and susceptibility to diseases and 
insects are most valuable diagnostic characters 
of species and varieties of grapes. Thus species 
differ widely in resistance to phylloxera, the 
grape-louse, the grape leaf-hopper, the flea- 
beetle, berry-moth, root-worm, powdery-mil- 
dew, downy-mildew, anthracnose, and other 
insect and fungous troubles of this fruit. 

Minor structures of the plant. 

The structure of the bark is an important 
distinguishing character for some species, but 
is of little importance in identifying the va- 
riety, and has no economic value to the fruit- 
grower. In most species of grapes, the bark 
has distinct lenticels, and on the old wood 
separates into long thin strips and fibers; but 
in two species from southeastern North 
America the bark bears prominent lenticels 
and never shreds. Smoothness, color, and 
thickness are other attributes of the bark to 
be noted. 

Canes of different species vary greatly in 
total length and in length of internodes. They 
vary also in size, in number, and in color, while 
the shape in some species is quite distinctive, 
being in some round, in others angular, and in 
still others flattened. The direction of growth 
in canes, whether sinuous, straight, or zigzag, is 
an important character. Nodes and internodes 
are indicative characters in some species, nodes 
being more or less prominent, angular or flat- 
tened, while the internodes are long or short. 

The diaphragm distinguishes several species 
of grapes. The cane contains a large pith, and 
this in most species is interrupted by woody 
tissue, forming a diaphragm at the nodes. In 
the Rotundifolia grapes the diaphragm is ab- 
sent, while in several other American species 
it is very thin, and in still others quite thick. 
The character of the diaphragm is best ob- 
served in year-old canes. In studying the 



225 



226 



BUDS AND FLOWERS 



THE FRUIT 



diaphragm, notice should be taken also of the 
pith, which is very variable in size. 

Young shoots of the grape offer a ready 
means of distinguishing species and varieties 
through their color and the amount and char- 
acter of the pubescence. Shoots may be 
glabrous, pubescent or hairy, and even spiny. 

The tendril is one of the organs most used 
in determining species and varieties of grapes. 
In some species, as V. Labrusca, there is a 
tendril or an inflorescence opposite nearly 
eveiy leaf; these are conlhmous tendrils. All 
other species have two leaves with a tendril 
opposite each and a third leaf without a ten- 
dril, called intermittent tendrils. To study 
this organ it is necessary to have vigorous, 
healthy, typical canes. Tendrils may be long 
or short, stout or slender; simple, bifurcated, 
or trifurcated; smooth, pubescent, or warty. 

Buds and flowers. 

The number of inflorescences borne by 
species is an important character in some cases. 
All species, excepting V'. Labrusca, average 
two inflorescences to a cane, but V. Labrusca 
may bear from three to six inflorescences, each 
in the place of a tendril opposite the leaf. 

Buds of different species of grapes vary 
greatly in time of opening, as they do some- 
what in varieties, so that the time the buds 
begin to swell is a fine mark of distinction. 
The angle at which the bud stands out from 
the branch is of some value in determining 
species. Differences in color, size, shape, posi- 
tion, and amount of pubescence of buds must 
all be noted in describing grapes. The scales 
of the buds vary more or less in size and in 
thickness. 

The time of bloom is an easy mark of dis- 
tinction between several species of grapes, and 
helps as w-ell to distinguish varieties in a 
species. Most species of grapes bear fertile 
flowers on one vine and sterile flowers on an- 
other, and are, therefore, polygamous-dioecious. 
Sterile vines bear male flowers with abortive 
pistils, so that, while they never produce fruits 
themselves, they usually assist in fertilizing 
others. Fertile flowers are capable of ripening 
fruits without cross-poUmation. Vines with 
female flowers only are seldom found. In most 
species of the grape, plants with sterile flowers 
and those with complete flowers are found 
mixed in the wild state, but usually only the 
fertile plants have been selected for cultivation. 
Plants raised from seeds of any of the species, 
however, furnish many sterile vines. 

The degree of fertility of blossoms is also a 
fine mark of distinction in species and varie- 
ties of the grape. Fertile vines are of two 
kinds in most species. The flowers on one 
kind are perfect hermaphrodites, while in the 
other kind the stamens are smaller and shorter 
than the pistil, and eventually bent down and 
cur\'ed under. These may be called imperfect 
hermaphrodites, since they are seldom as fruit- 
ful as the perfect hermaphrodites, unless fer- 
tilized from another plant. On examination 
with a microscope, it is found that self-sterile 



plants usually bear abortive pollen and that 
the percentage of abortive pollen-grains varies 
greatly in different varieties. The upright or 
depressed stamen does not always indicate the 
condition of the pollen, since there are many 
instances in which upright stamens bear im- 
potent pollen, and occasionally the depressed 
stamens bear perfect pollen. 

Leaves. 

The size, shape, and color of the leaves are 
quite distinctive of species and more or less 
so of varieties, if allowances are made for 
variation due to environment. The lobing of 
leaves is a very uniform character in most 
species, some having lobes and others having 
entire leaves. The upper surface of the leaf 
in some species is smooth, glossy, and shiny, 
and in others is rough and dull. The lower 
surface shows similar variations and has, be- 
sides, varying amounts of pubescence, down, 
and bloom. In some species the down re- 
sembles cobwebs. The number, size, and shape 
of the lobes are important in distinguishing 
both varieties and species, as are also the 
petiolar, basal, and lateral sinuses. As in most 
plants, the margiiLs of the leaves, whether ser- 
rate, dentate, or crenate, are often distinguish- 
ing characters. The petiole in different species 
varies from short to long and from stout to 
slender. Lastly, the time at which the leaves 
fall is often a good distinguishing mark. 

The jruit. 

Of all organs, the fruit is most responsive to 
changed conditions and hence most variable. 
Yet the fruits furnish most valuable characters 
for determining both species and varieties. 
Size, shape, compactness, and number of 
clusters on a shoot must be noted. In the 
berry, size, shape, color, bloom, adherence of 
stigma to the apex, and adliesion of fruit to 
the pedicel are all of value. Difference in 
adherence of the skin to the pulp separates 
European from all American grapes. The 
color of the brush is often a certain distinguish- 
ing character. The thickness, tougliness, 
flavor, and pigment of the skin have more or 
less value. The color, firmness, juiciness, 
aroma, and flavor of the flesh, as well as its ad- 
herence to seed and skin, are valuable marks in 
describing grapes. All species and varieties are 
well distinguished by the time of ripening and 
by the keeping quality. The color of the juice 
is a plain and certain dividing line between 
some species and many varieties. 

Seeds are accounted of much value in de- 
termining species. The size and weight of 
seed differ greatly in different species, as they 
do also in varieties of any one species. Thus, 
of native grapes, Labrusca has the largest and 
heaviest seeds, and Vulpina has the smallest 
seeds, while those of ^Estivalis are of medium 
size and weight. The shape and color of seed 
offer distinguishing marks, while the size, shape, 
and position of the raphe and chalaza furnish 
very certain marks of distinction in some 
species. 



THE GENUS VITIS 



ROTUNDIFOLIA GRAPES 



227 



THE GENUS VITIS 

The genus Vitis belongs to the vine family 
(Vitaceae) in which most botanists also put 
the woodbines (Ampelopsis), of which Virginia 
creeper is the best-known plant. The genus 
Cissus, to which belong many southern climb- 
ers, is combined with Vitis by some botanists. 
Vitis is separated from Ampelopsis and Cissus 
by marked differences in several organs, of 
which, horticulturally at least, those in the 
fruit best serve to distinguish the group. 
Species of Vitis, with possibly one or two ex- 
ceptions, bear pulpy edible fniits; species of 
Ampelopsis and Cissus bear fruits with pulp 
so scant that the beiTies are inedible. Vitis is 
further distinguished as follows: 

The plants are climbing or trailing, rarely 
shrubby, with woody stems, and mostly with 
coiling, naked-tipped tendrils. The leaves are 
simple, palmately lobed, round-dentate, or 
heart-shaped-dentate. The stipules are small, 
fallmg early. The flowers are polygamous- 
dioecious (some plants with perfect flowers, 
others stammate with at most a rudimentary 
ovary), five-parted. The petals are separated 
only at the base and fall off without expand- 
ing. The disk is hypogynous w-ith five nec- 
tariferous glands which are alternate with the 
stamens. The berry is globose or ovoid, few- 
seeded, and pulpy. The seeds are pyriform, 
and beak-like at the base. 

The description blank for the grape on the 
following page sets forth most of the characters 
students and fruit-growers will use in describ- 
ing this fruit. 

SPECIES OF AMERICAN GR.VPES 

The number of species of grapes in the 
world depends on the arbitrary Imiits set for 
a species of this fruit, and knowledge of the 
genus is yet too meager to set these limits with 
certainty. Indeed, the men who have made 
grape species have seldom been able to out- 
line the habitats of their groups with much 
certainty. In habitat, it should be said, grapes 
are confined almost wholly to temperate and 
subtropical regions. How-ever, the grape- 
grower is not much concerned with species of 
grapes other than those that have horticultural 
value. Of these, in America, there are now ten 
more or less cultivated either for fruit or for 
stocks. The following descriptions of these 
ten species are adapted from the author's The 
Grapes oj New York, published in 1908 by the 
State of New York (Chapter IV, pages 107- 
156). 

CONSPECTUS OF CULTIVATED SPECIES OF VITIS 

A. Skin of mature berry separating freely from the pulp. 
B. Nodes without diaphragms ; tendrils simple. 

1. r. rutundifolia. 
1. y. Munsoniana. 
BB. Nodes with diaphragms ; tendrils forked. 
C. Leaves and shoots glabrous at maturity and with- 
out bloom ; tendrils intermittent. 
D. Leaves thin, light, bright green, generally glabrous 
below at maturity except perhaps in the axils of 
the veins with a long or at least a prominent 



point and usually long and sharp teeth or the 
edge even-jagged. 
E. Leaves broader than long ; petiolar sinus usually 

wide and shallow 3. ('. rupestris. 

EE. Leaves ovate in outline ; petiolar sinus usually 

medium to narrow 4. I', vulpina. 

DD. Leaves thick, dull colored or grayish-green, often 
holding some close, dull pubescence below at 
maturity, shoots and leaves nearly always more 
or less pubescent when young ; the teeth mostly 

short j 5. r rordifolia. 

I G. I . lirrlandifn. 
CO. Leaves rusty or white tomentose or glaucous blue 
below, thick or at least firm. 
D. Leaves flocculent or cobwebby or glaucous below 

when fully grown \ ^; ^i; J./i'/"'"" 

DD. Leaves densely tomentose or felt-like beneath 
throughout the season ; covering white or rusty 
white. 

E. Tendrils intermittent 9. V. candicans. 

EE. Tendrils mostly continuous. 10. V. Labrusca. 

AA. Skin and pulp of mature berry coliering. (Old 

World.) 11. V. vinifera. 

1. Vitis roiundijolia, Michx. Muscadine Grape. Bull 
Grape. Bullet Grape. Bushy Grape. BuUace Grape. 
Scuppernong. Southern Fox Grape. Vine very vigorous, 
sometimes shrubby and only 3 or 4 feet high, often 
sending down aerial roots ; wood hard, bark smooth, not 
scaling, with prominent warty lenticels ; shoots short- 
jointed, angled, with fine scurfy pubescence ; diaphragms 
absent ; tendrils intermittent, simple. Leaves small, 
broadly cordate or roundish ; petiolar sinus wide, shal- 
low ; margin with obtuse, wide teeth ; not lobed ; dense 
in texture, light green color, glabrous above, sometimes 
pubescent along \eiiis below. Cluster small, loose ; 
peduncle short ; pedicels short, thick. Berries large, 
globular, black or greenish-yellow ; skin thick, tough 
and with a musky odor ; pulp tough ; ripening unevenly 
and dropping as soon as ripe. Seeds flattened, shallowly 
and broadly notched ; beak very short ; clialaza narrow, 
slightly depressed with radiating ridges and furrows; 
raphe a narrow groove. 

The habitat of this species is southern Dela- 
ware, west through Tennessee, southern Illinois, 
southeastern Missouri, Arkansas (except the 
northwestern portions), to Grayson County, 
Texas, as a northern and western boundary, to 
the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf on the cast and 
south. It becomes rare as one approaches the 
western limit, but is common in many sectiona 
of the great region outlmed above, being most 
abundant on sandy, well-drained bottom lands, 
along river banks and in swampy, thick wood- 
lands and thickets. The climate most suitable 
for Rotundifolia is that in which cotton grows, 
and it thrives best in the lower portions of the 
cotton-belt of the United States. 

The fruit of Rotundifolia is very character- 
istic. The skin is thick, has a leathery ap- 
pearance, adheres strongly to the underlying 
flesh, and is marked with lenticel-like russet 
dots. The flesh is more or less tough, but the 
toughness is not localized around the seed as 
in Labrusca. The fruits in most of the varie- 
ties of the species are characterized by a strong, 
musky aroma and are lacking in sugar and 
acid. At present, the most promising outlook 
for Rotundifolia varieties is for use as grape- 
juice and culinary grapes. Rotundifolia does 
not produce fruit suitable for shipping as des- 
sert grapes, chiefly because the berries ripen 
unevenly, and when ripe drop from the cluster. 
The juice which exudes from the point where 
the stem is broken off causes the berries to 
become smeared and gives them an unattrac- 
tive appearance. Owing, however, to the 
tough skin, the berries do not crack so badly 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE GRAPE 



Name Vineyard . 

71KE 

Marked characteristics 

Vigorous, medium, weak 
Upright, horizontal 
Straggling, dense, open 
Tender, half-hardy, hardy 
Very productive, productive 
Medium productive, unproductive 
SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 

TRUNK 

Large, medium, small 
Stocky, medium, slender 
Bark 

Loose, adherent 
Smooth, shreddy 
CANES 

Long, medium, short 
Numerous, medium, few 
Thick, medium, slender 
Ash-gray, yellow, green 
Red. brown 

Sinuous, straight, zigzag 
Nodes 

Enlarged, angular, flattened 
Intern odes 

Long, medium, short 
Tendrils 
Continuous, intermittent 
Thick, medium, slender 
Long, medium, short 
Simple, bifurcated, trifurcated 
Smooth, warty 
FLOWERS 

Fertile or sterile 

Date of bloom ••••• 

Early, medium, late 
Stamens 
Upright, reflexed 
iiEAVES 

Large, medium, small 
Cordate, roundish 
Thick, medium, thin 
Upper surface 
Light, medium, dark green 
Dull, glossy 

Smooth, medium, rugose 
Lower surface 
Pale green, bronze 
Bluish, whitish 
Pubescent, downy, hairy 
AVoolly, cobwebby 
Lobes 

Number -,- >:.... 

Terminal lobe 

Obtuse, acute, acuminate 
Petiolar sinus 
Deep, medium, shallow 
Wide, medium, narrow 
Closed, overlapping 
Basal sinus 
Deep, medium shallow 
Wide, medium, narrow 
Lateral sinus 
Deep, medium, shallow 
Wide, medium. 



.Row 



No. 



Date. 



Serrate, dentate, crenate 
Teeth 
Shallow, medium, deep 
Wide, medium, narrow 



FRTTIT 

Marked characteristics 

DATE OF RIPENING 

SEASON 

Early, medium, late 

KEEPING QUALITY 

SHIPPING QUALITY 

CLUSTER 

Large, medium, small 

Long, medium, short 

Broad, medium, slender 

Roundish, tapering, cylindrical 

Regular, irregular 

Single, double-shouldered 

Loose, medium, compact 
Peduncle 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 
Pedicel 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 

Warts 
Brush 

Long, medium, short 

W ine, pink, yellow 
BERRY 
Strongly or medium adherent* 

shells 
Large, medium, small 
Uniform, variable 
Roundish, oval, oblate 
Black, blue 
Light or dark purple 
Light or dark red 
Light or dark green 
Amber, yellow, white 
With thick, medium, thin bloom 
SKIN 

Thick, medium, thin 
Tough, medium, tender 
Adheres or separates from pulp 
FLESH 

White, greenish, red 
Transpprent, translucent 
Meaty, medium, soft, melting 
Tender, tough, stringy 
Juicy, medium, dry 
Clear, pink, wine-colored 
Sweet, subacid, sprightly 
Sour, vinous, musky 
Spicy, foxy 
Quality 
Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 
SEEDS 

Separate from pulp 

Easily, with difficulty 
Average number 
Large, medium, small 
Long, medium, short 
Broad, medium, narrow 
Notched, rounded 
Blunt, pointed, beaked 
Brown, yellow 
Raphe 

Obscure, medium, cord-like 
Chalaza 
Above center, median, below center 
Circular, oval 
Distinct, obscure 
Raised, sunken 
USE 

Dessert, kitchen 
Market, home, raisin 
DESIRABILITY 



-REUARKS 



228 



MUNSONIANA GRAPES 



VULPINA GRAPES 



229 



as other grapes would under the same condi- 
tions, but, nevertheless, they are not adapted 
to long-distance shipments. Under reasonably 
favorable conditions, the vines attain great 
size, and, when grown on arbors without prun- 
ing, cover a large area. 

Rotundifolia is remarkably resistant to the 
attacks of all insects and fungal diseases. The 
phylloxera do not attack its roots, and it is 
considered as resistant as any other Amer- 
ican species to this pest. The vines are 
grown from cuttings only with difficulty, and 
this prevents the use of this species as a re- 
sistant stock. However, under favorable cir- 
cumstances this is a successful method of 
propagation. Under unfavorable circumstances 
it is better to depend on layers. As a stock 
upon which to graft other vmes, this species 
has not been a success. There is great difficulty 
in crossing Rotundifolia with other species, 
but several Rotundifolia hybrids are now on 
record. 

2. Vitis Munsoniana, Simpson. Florida Grape. Ever- 
bearing Grape. Bird Grape. Mustang Grape of Florida. 
Vine slender, usually running on the ground or over 
low bushes ; canes angular ; intemodes short ; tendrils 
intermittent, simple. Leaves smaller and thinner than 
in Rotundifolia and rather more circular in outline ; not 
lobed : teeth open and spreading ; petiolar sinus V-shaped ; 
both surfaces smooth, rather light green. Cluster with 
more berries but about the same size as in Rotundifolia. 
Berry one-third to one-half the diameter, with thinner 
and more tender skin ; black, shining ; pulp less solid, 
more acid and without muskiness. Seeds about one-half 
the size of those of Rotundifolia, similar in other re- 
spects. 

The habitat of V . Munsoniana is central and 
southern Florida and the Florida Keys. It 
extends south of the habitat of Rotundifolia, 
and blends into this species at their point of 
meeting. Munsoniana appears to be a varia- 
tion of Rotundifolia, fitted to subtropical con- 
ditions. It is tender, not enduring a lower 
temperature than zero. In the matter of mul- 
tiplication, its differs from V. rotundifolia in 
that it can be propagated readily from cuttings. 
■ Like Rotundifolia it is resistant to phylloxera. 

3. Vitis rupeslriSf Scheele. Mountain Grape. Rock 
Grape. Bush Grape. Sand Grape. Sugar Grape. Beach 
Grape. A small, much branched shrub or, under favor- 
able circumstances, climbing ; diaphragm thin ; tendrils 
few, or if present, weak, usually deciduous. Leaves 
small ; young leaves frequently folded on midrib ; 
broadly cordate or reniform. wider than long, scarcely 
ever lobed, smooth, glabrous on both surfaces at ma- 
turity : petiolar sinus wide, shallow ; margin coarsely 
toothed, frequently a sharp, abrupt point at terminal. 
Cluster small. Berries small, black or purple-black. 
Seeds small, not notched ; beak short, blunt ; raphe 
distinct to indistinct, usually showing as a narrow 
groove : chalaza pear-shaped, sometimes distinct, but 
usually a depression only. 

This species is an inhabitant of southwestern 
Texas, extending eastward and northward into 
New Mexico, southern Missouri, Indiana, and 
Tennessee to southern Permsylvania and the 
District of Columbia. Its favorite places are 
gravelly banks and bars of mountain streams 
or the rocky beds of dry watercourses. The 
clusters of fruit are small, with berries about 
the size of a currant, and varying from sweet 
to sour. The berry is characterized by much 
pigment under the skin. The fruit has a 



sprightly taste wholly free from any disagree- 
able foxiness. Rupestris under cultivation is 
said to be very resistant to rot and mildew of 
the foliage. The attention of hybridizers was 
attracted to this species over thirty years ago, 
and various hybrids have been produced of 
great promise for grape-breeding. The root 
system of Rupestris is peculiar in that the 
roots penetrate at once deeply into the ground 
instead of extending laterally as in other 
species. Like those of Vulpina, the roots are 
slender, hard, and resistant to phylloxera. The 
species is easily propagated by cuttings. The 
vines bench-graft readily, but are difficult to 
handle in field grafting. 

4. Vitis vulpine, Linn. ( 7. n'paria, Michx. ) Winter 
Grape. River Grape. Riverside Grape. Riverbank 
Grape. Sweet-scented Grape. Vine very vigorous, 
climbing ; shoots cylindrical or angled, usually smooth, 
slender ; diaphragms thin ; tendrils intermittent, slender, 
usually bifid. Leaves with large stipules; leaf-blade 
large, thin, entire, three- or lower ones five-lobed ; 
sinuses shallow, angular ; petiolar sinus broad, usually 
shallo\y ; margin with incised, sharply serrate teeth 
of variable size ; light green, glabrous above, glabrous 
but sometimes pubescent on ribs and veins below. Clus- 
ter small, compact, shouldered ; psduncle short. Berries 
small, black with a heavy blue bloom. Seeds 2-4, 
small, notched, short, plump, with very short beak ; 
chalaza narrowly oval, depressed, indistinct ; raphe 
usually a groove, sometimes distinct. 

Vulpina is the most widely distributed of all 
American species of grape. It has been dis- 
covered in parts of Canada north of Quebec, 
and thence southward to the Gulf of Me.xico. 
It is found from the Atlantic coast westward, 
most botanists say, to the Rocky Mountains. 
Usually it grows on river banks, on islands, or 
in upland ravines. Vulpina has always been 
considered of great promise in the evolution 
of American grapes. It can hardly be said 
that it has fulfilled expectations, as there is 
probably no pure variety of this species of 
more than local importance, and the results 
of hybridizing it with other species have not 
been wholly successful. 

Vulpina is adapted to a great variety of 
climates, soils, and locations; vines have with- 
stood a temperature of 40 to 60 degrees below 
zero, and they show equal ability to withstand 
the injurious effects of high temperatures in 
the summer. On account of its habit of early 
blooming, the blossoms sometimes suffer from 
late frosts in the spring. The berries of Vul- 
pina are small, but there are occasional vari- 
eties with fruits of medium size or above. The 
clusters are of medium size, and, if judged from 
the standpoint of number of berries, might fre- 
quently be called large. The flavor is sharply 
acid but free from foxiness or any disagreeable 
wild taste. If eaten in quantity, the acidity is 
likely to affect the lips and the tip of the 
tongue. The flesh is neither pulpy nor solid, 
and dissolves in the mouth and separates read- 
ily from the seed. The roots are small, hard, 
numerous, branch freely, feed close to the sur- 
face, and do not seem to be well adapted to 
forcing their way through heavy clays. The 
vines grow readily from cuttings and make good 
stocks for grafting, the union with other species 
being usually permanent. Vulpina is very re- 



230 



CORDIFOLIA GRAPES 



LINCECUMII GRAPES 



sistant to phylloxera, but is less resistant to 
black-rot than ^Estivalis, though more so than 
Labrusca. The foliage is rarely attacked by 
mildew. One of the chief failings of this spe- 
cies is the susceptibility of the leaves to the 
attack of the leaf-hopper. 

5. Vilis cordifolia, Michx. Winter Grape. Frost 
Grape. Fox Grape. Chicken Grape. Heart-leaved 
Vitis. Possum Grape. Sour Winter Grape. Vine very 
vigorous, climbing ; shoots slender ; internodes long, 
angular, usually glabrous, sometimes pubescent ; dia- 
phragms thick ; tendrils intermittent, long, usually bifid. 
Leaves with short, broad stipules ; leaf-blade medium to 
large, cordate, entire or indistinctly three-lobed ; petiolar 
sinus deep, usually narrow, acute ; margin with coarse 
angular teeth; point of leaf acuminate; upper surface 
light green, glossy, glabrous ; glabrous or sparingly pubes- 
cent below. Clusters medium to large, loose, with long 
peduncle. Berries numerous and small, black, shining, 
little or no bloom. Seeds medium in size, broad, beak 
short ; chalaza oval or roundish, elevated, very distinct ; 
raphe a distinct, cord-like ridge. Fruit sour and 
astringent and frequently consisting of little besides 
skins and seeds. 

Owing to the fact that Cordifolia and 
Vulpina have been badly confused, the limits 
of the habitat of this species are difficult to 
determine. The best authorities give the 
northern limit as New York or the Great 
Lakes. The eastern limit is the Atlantic 
Ocean; the southern limit, the Gulf of Mexico. 
It extends westward to the western limits of 
the wooded portion of the Mississippi Valley 
in the North, and to the Brazos River, Texas, 
in the South. The species is found along 
creeks and river banks sometimes mixed with 
Vulpina, having about the same soil adapta- 
tions as that species. It is a very common 
species in the middle states, frequently grow- 
ing on limestone soils, but is not indigenous to 
such soils. Cordifolia makes a good stock for 
grafting, as it is vigorous and forms a good 
union with most of our cultivated grapes. It 
is seklom used for this purpose, however, on 
account of the difficulty of propagating it by 
means of cuttings. For the same reason, the 
vines are seldom found in cultivation. 

6. Vitis Berlandierij Planch. Mountain Grape. Span- 
ish Grape. Fall Grape. Winter Grape. Little Mountain 
Grape, Vine vigorous, climbing ; shoots more or less 
angled and pubescent ; puttescence remaining only in 
patches on mature wood ; canes mostly with short 
internodes ; diaphragms tliick ; tendrils intermittent, 
long, strong, bifid or trifid. Leaves with small stipules ; 
leaf-blade large, broadly cordate, notched or shortly 
three-lobed ; petiolar sinus rather open, V- or U-shaped, 
margin with broad but rather shallow teeth, rather dark 
glossy green above, grayish pubescence below when 
young ; becoming glabrous and even glossy except on 
ribs and veins, when mature. Clusters large, compact, 
compound, witli long peduncle. Berries small, black, 
with thin bloom, juicy, rather tart but pleasant tasting 
when thoroughly ripe. Seeds few, small, short, plump, 
oval or roundish, with short beak ; chalaza oval or 
roundish, distinct ; raphe narrow, sliglitly distinct to 
indistinct. 

Berlandieri is a native of the limestone hills 
of southwe.st Texas and adjacent Mexico. The 
roots are strong, thick, and very resistant to 
phylloxera. It is propagated by cuttings with 
comparative ease, but its varieties are variable; 
some do not root at all easily. While the fruit 
of this species shows a large cluster, the berries 
are small and sour, and Berlandieri is not re- 



garded as having promise for culture in 
America. 

7. Viiix astivalis, Michx. Blue Grape. Bunch 
Grape. Summer Grape. Little Grape. Duck-shot 
Grape. Swamp Grape. Chicken Grape. Pigeon Grape, 
vine very vigorous, shoots pubescent or smooth when 
young ; diaphragms thick ; tendrils interniittent. usually 
bifid. Leaves with short, broad stipules ; leaf-blade 
large, thin when young but becoming thick ; petiolar 
sinus deep, usually narrow, frequently overlapping ; 
margin rarely entire, usually three- to five-lobed ; teeth 
dentate, shallow, wide ; upper surface dark green ; 
lower surface with more or less reddish or rusty pubes- 
cence which, in mature leaves, usually shows in patches 
on the ribs and veins ; petioles frequently pubescent. 
Clusters long, not mucii branched, with long peduncle. 
Berries small, with moderate amount of bloom, usually 
astringent. Seeds two to three, of medium size, plump, 
smooth, not notched ; chalaza oval, distinct ; raplie a 
distinct cord-like ridge. 

The division of the original species has ma- 
terially reduced the habitat of /Estivalis, con- 
fining it to the southeastern part of the United 
States from southern New York to Florida and 
westward to the Mississippi River. The fruit 
usually has a tart, acrid taste, due to the 
presence of a high percentage of acid, but there 
is also a large amount of sugar. The berries 
are destitute of pulp, have a comparatively 
thin, tough skin and a peculiar spicy flavor; 
they hang to the bunch when ripe much better 
than do those of Labrusca. This species 
thrives in a lighter and shallower soil than 
Labrusca, and appears to endure drouth better, 
although not equaling in this respect either 
Vulpina or Rupestris. The leaves are never 
injured by the sun, and they resist the attacks 
of insects, such as leaf-hoppers, better than 
any other American species under cultivation. 
iEstivalis is rarely injured by black-rot or 
mildew. The hard roots enable it to resist 
phyllo.xera, and varieties with any great 
amount of the blood of this species are seldom 
seriously injured by this insect. An objection 
to ^stivalis, from a horticultural standpoint, 
is that it does not root well from cuttings. 
Varieties of this species bear grafting well, es- 
pecially in the vineyard. 

Vitis (Estivalis Lincecumii, Munson. Post-oak Grape. 
Pine-wood Grape. Turkey Grape. Vine vigorous, some- 
times climbing high upon trees, sometimes forming a 
bushy clump from two to six feet high ; canes cylindri- 
cal, much rusty wool on shoots ; tendrils intermittent. 
Leaves very large, almost as wide as long ; entire or 
three-, five-, or rarely seven-lobed ; lobes frequently di- 
vided ; sinuses, including petiolar sinus, deep ; smooth 
above, and with more or less rusty pubescence below. 
Fruit small to large, usually larger than typical iEsti- 
valis. Seeds pear-shaped ; chalaza roundish. 

Lincecumii inhabits the eastern half of Texas, 
western Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and 
southern Missouri on high sandy land, fre- 
quently climbing post-oak trees; hence the 
name post-oak grape, by which it is locally 
known. The species has attracted considerable 
attention as a promising form from which to 
secure cultivated varieties for the Southwest. 
The qualities which recommend it are: first, 
vigor; second, capacity to withstand rot and 
mildew; third, hardiness and capacity to en- 
dure hot and dry summers without injury; 
fourth, the large cluster and berry which are 




Plate XL — Niagara Grape. 



BOURQUINIANA GRAPES 



LABRUSCA GRAPES 



231 



found on certain of the wild vines. The fruit 
is characteristic because of its dense bloom, 
firm, yet tender texture, and peculiar flavor. 
The cultivated varieties have given satisfac- 
tion in many sections of the central and 
southern states. Like i-Estivalis, it is difficult 
to propagate from cuttings. 

Vitis astivalis Bourqmniana. Bailey. Southern jEsti- 
valis. Bourquiniana differs chiefly from the type in 
having thinner leaves ; the shoots and under side of 
the leaves are only slightly reddish-brown in color ; 
the pubescence usually disappears at maturity ; tiie 
leaves are more deeply lobed than is common in 
iEstivalis ; and the fruit is larger, sweeter and more 
juicy. Bourquiniana is known only in cultivation. It 
includes many southern varieties, the most important 
of which are Herbemont and Lenoir. The only northern 
variety of any importance supposed to have Bourquin- 
iana blood is Delaware. Bourquiniana can be propa- 
gated from cuttings more easily than the t.vpical .lEsti- 
valis. Many of the varieties of Bourquiniana show a 
marked susceptibility to mildew and black-rot. The 
roots are hard, branch rather freely, and are quite re- 
sistant to phylloxera. 

8. Vitis bicolor. Le Conte. Blue Grape. Northern 
Summer Grape. Northern jEstivalis. Vine vigorous, 
climbing ; shoots cylindrical or angled, with long in- 
ternodes, generally glabrous, usually showing much blue 
bloom, sometimes spiny at base ; diaphragms thick ; 
tendrils intermittent, long, usually bifid. Leaves with 
short, broad stipules ; leaf-blade large ; roundish-cordate, 
usually three ; petiolar sinus variable in depth, usually 
narrow ; margin irregularly dentate ; teeth acuminate ; 
glabrous above, usually glabrous below and showing 
much blue bloom which sometimes disappears late in 
the season ; young leaves sometimes pubescent ; petioles 
very long. Cluster of medium size, compact, simple ; 
peduncle long. Berries small, black with much bloom, 
acid but pleasant tasting when ripe. Seeds small, 
plump, broadly oval, very short beak ; chalaza oval, 
raised, distinct ; raphe distinct. 

Bicolor is readily distinguished from iEsti- 
valis by the absence of the reddish pubescence 
and by blooming later. The habitat of the 
species is to the north of that of ^Estivalis, 
occupying the northeastern quarter of the 
United States. The horticultural characters 
of Bicolor are much the same as those of /Esti- 
valis. About the only points of difference are 
that it is much hardier, is less resistant to 
mildew, and more resistant to phylloxera. 
Like iEstivalis, Bicolor does not thrive on 
limy soils, and is difficult to propagate from 
cuttings. The horticultural possibilities of 
Bicolor are much the same as those of ^Esti- 
valis. It is as yet cultivated but little. Its 
chief defect for domestication is the small size 
of the fruit. 

9. Vitis candicans, Englem. Mustang Grape. Vine 
very vigorous, climbing ; shoots and petioles densely 
woolly, whitish or rusty ; diaphragm thick ; tendrils 
intermittent. Leaves with large stipules ; blade small, 
broadly cordate to reniform-ovate, entire or in young 
shoots and on young vines and sprouts usually deeply 
three- to five-, or ev^n seven-lobed ; teeth shallow, 
sinuate ; petiolar sinus shallow, wide, sometimes lacking ; 
dull, slightly rugose above, dense whitisli pubescence 
below. Clusters small. Berries medium to large, black, 
purple, green, or even whitish, thin blue bloom or 
bloomless. Seeds usually three or four, large, short, 
plump, blunt, notched ; chalaza oval, depressed, indis- 
tinct : raphe a broad groove. 

The habitat of this grape extends from 
southern Oklahoma southwesterly into Mex- 
ico. It is found on dry, alluvial, sandy, or 
limestone bottoms, or on limestone bluff lands. 



The species blooms shortly before Labrusca 
and a week later than Vulpina. It requires 
the long hot summers of its native country, 
will stand extreme drouth, but is not hardy to 
cold. The berries, which are large for wild 
vines, have thin skins, under which there is a 
pigment that gives them, when fii-st ripe, a 
fieiy, pungent taste, but which partly disap- 
pears with maturity ; they are very persistent, 
clinging to the pedicel long after ripe. Can- 
dicans is difficult to propagate from cuttings. 
Its roots resist phylloxera fairly well. It makes 
a good stock for Vinifera vines in its native 
country, but, owing to the difficulty of propa- 
gation, is seldom used for that purpose. It is 
not regarded as having great promise for horti- 
culture. 

10. Vitis Labrusca, Linn. Fox-Grape. Vine vig- 
orous, stocky, climbing ; shoots cylindrical, densely 
pubescent ; diaphragms medium to thick ; tendrils con- 
tinuous, strong, bifid or trifid. Leaves with long, 
cordate stipule ; leaf-blade large, thick, broadly cordate 
or round ; entire or three-lobed, frequently notched ; 
sinuses rounded ; petiolar sinus variable in depth and 
width, V-shaped ; margin with shallow, acute-pointed, 
scalloped teeth ; upper surface covered with dense pubes- 
ence, becoming glabrous when mature ; lower surface 
covered with dense pubescence, more or less whitish 
on young leaves ; becomes dun-colored when mature. 
Clusters more or less compound, usually shouldered, 
compact ; pedicels thick ; peduncle short. Berries 
round ; skin thick, covered with bloom, with strong 
musky or foxy aroma. Seeds two to four, large, dis- 
tinctly notched, beak short ; chalaza oval in shape, 
indistinct, showing as a depression ; raphe, a groove. 

Labrusca is indigenous to the eastern part 
of North America, between the Atlantic Ocean 
and the Alleghany Mountains, from Maine to 
Georgia. It has furnished more cultivated va- 
rieties than all other American species together. 
The reason for this is, partly, that it is native 
to the portion of the United States first settled, 
and is the most common grape in the region 
where agriculture first advanced to the condi- 
tion at which fruits were desired; and, partly, 
to the fact that, in its wild state, Labrusca is 
probably the most attractive to the eye of all 
American grapes, on account of the size of its 
fruit. 

Two types of the species may be distin- 
guished. Vines are found in the woods of 
New England which resemble Concord very 
closely in both vine and fiiiit, excepting that 
the grapes are much smaller in size and more 
seedy. There are also the large-fruited, foxy 
Labruscas, usually with reddish berries, repre- 
sented by such cultivated varieties as Northern 
Muscadine, Dracut Amber, Lutie, and others. 
Labrusca is peculiar amongst American grapes 
in showing black-, white- and red-fruited forms 
of wild vines growing in the woods. 

The root system of Labrusca does not pene- 
trate the soil deeply, but the vine succeeds 
better in deep and clayey soils than .(Estivalis. 
It endures an excess of water in the soil, and, 
on the other hand, requires less water for suc- 
cessful growing than ^stivalis or Vulpina. In 
spite of its ability to withstand clayey soils, it 
prefers loose, warm, well-drained sandy lands 
to all others. All varieties of this species show 
a marked antipathy to limestone soil. The 



232 



VINIFERA GRAPES 



VINIFERA GRAPES 



Labruscas succeed very well in the North, and 
fairly well in the Middle West as far south 
as Arkansas. The grapes of Labrusca are large 
and usually handsomely colored. The skin is 
thick, covering a layer of adhering flesh, which 
gives the impression of its being thicker than 
it actually is; the berry is variable in tender- 
ness, sometimes tough, but in many cultivated 
varieties is so tender that it cracks in trans- 
portation. The skin of this species usually has 
a peculiar aroma, generally spoken of as foxy, 
and a slightly acid, astringent taste. The cen- 
ter of the berry is occupied by dense pulp, 
more or less stringy, with considerable acid 
close to the seeds. Many object to the foxy 
aroma of this species, but, nevertheless, the 
most popular American varieties are more or 
less foxy. Labrusca submits well to vineyard 
culture, is fairly vigorous, and generally quite 
productive. It grows readily from cuttings, and 
in hardiness is intermediate between Vulpina 
and oEstivalis. The roots are soft and fleshy, 
and in some localities subject to attacks of 
phylloxera. In the wild vines, the fruit is in- 
clined to drop when ripe. This defect is known 
among grape-growers as "shattering" or "shell- 
ing," and is a serious weakness in some varie- 
ties. Labrusca is said to be more sensitive to 
mildew and black-rot than any other American 
species. In the South, and in some parts of 
the Middle West, the leaves of all varieties of 
Labrusca sunburn and shrivel in the latter part 
of the summer. 

11. Fifw vinifera, Linn. European Grape. Old 
World Grape. Vine variable in vigor, not so hieh 
climbing as most American species ; tendrils intermit- 
tent. Leaves round-cordate, thin, smooth, and when 
young, shining, frequently more or less deeply three-, 
five-, or even seven-lobed ; usually glabrous but' in some 
varieties the leaves and young shoots are hairy and even 
downy when young ; lobes rounded or pointed ; teeth 
variable ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, usually over- 
lapping. Berries very variable in size and shape, 



usually oval. Seeds variable in size and shape, usually 
notched at the upper end and characterized always by a 
bottle-necked, elongated beak ; chalaza broad, usually 
rough, distinct ; raphe indistinct. Roots large, soft and 
spongy. 

The region about the Caspian Sea is the 
probable habitat of the Old World grape. 
Neither American nor European writers agree 
as to the climate desired by Vinifera, for the 
reason, probably, that all the varieties in this 
variable species do not require the same cli- 
matic conditions. There are certain phases of 
climate, however, that are well agreed on: 
the species requires a warm, dry chmate and is 
more sensitive to change of temperature than 
American species. Varieties of this species can 
be grown successfully in a wide variety of soils, 
being much less particular as to soils than 
American sorts. 

Certain characters of the fruit of this species 
are not found in any American species: first, 
the skin, which is attached very closely to 
the flesh and which is never astringent nor 
acid, can be eaten with the fruit; second, the 
flesh is firm, yet tender, and uniform through- 
out, differing in this respect from all American 
grapes, which have a tough and more or less 
acid core at the center; third, the flavor has 
a peculiarly sprightly quality known as vinous ; 
fourth, the berry adheres firmly to the pedicel, 
the fruit seldom "shattering" or "shelling" from 
the cluster. 

In the various hybrids that have been made 
between American and Vinifera varieties, it is 
usually found that the desirable qualities of 
Vinifera are inherited in about the same pro- 
portion as the undesirable ones. The fruit is 
improved in the hybrid, but the vine is weak- 
ened; quality is usually purchased at the ex- 
pense of hardiness and disease-resisting power. 
Vinifera may be grown very readily from cut- 
tings. 



CHAPTER XIV 
VARIETIES OF GRAPES 



Ten species of native grapes have furnished 
about 2,000 varieties of this fruit to American 
viticulture. Possibly twice as many more are 
described in European viticultural literature 
from V. vinijera alone, more than 300 of 
which have been tried in America. The 
varieties described are those offered by Ameri- 
can nurser>'men, although possibly not all of 
the natives can now be purchased, and prob- 
ably Califomian nurserymen can supply a 
considerably greater number of Vinifera va- 
rieties than are included in this list. Few 
other fruits offer so great a number of com- 
binations of sizes, colors, flavors, aromas, and 
uses as can be found in the following 133 grapes. 
The vineyard, to fulfill its potentialities, should 
have a well-selected assortment of the kinds 
described. Varieties of this fruit enrich po- 
mology in nearly every part of the continent in 
which diversified agriculture is practiced. 

ACTONI. F. vinifera. Actoni is a table- 
grape of the Malaga type which ripens at 
Geneva, New York, late in October, too late 
for the average season in the East, but worth 
trying in favorable locations. It is grown in 
California, but is not a favorite sort. The 
following brief description is made from fruit 
grown at Geneva: 

Clusters large, shouldered, tapering, loose. Berries 
medium to very large, long-oval, clear green yellow ; 
tiesh crisp, firm ; flavor sweet ; quality good. 




215. Agawam. (XVs) 

AGAWAM. Fig. 215. V. Labrusca X V. 
vinijera. The qualities commending Agawam 
are large size and attractive appearance of 



bunch and berry; grapes of rich, sweet, aro- 
matic flavor; vigor of vine; and capacity for 
self-fertilization. For a variety having its pro- 
portion of European blood, the vine is vigor- 
ous, hardy, and productive. The chief defects 
of the fruit are a thick and tough skin, coarse, 
solid texture of pulp, and foxy flavor. The vine 
is susceptible to the mildews, and in many 
localities does not yield well. Although the 
grapes ripen soon after those of Concord, they 
can be kept much longer, and even improve in 
flavor after picking. The vines prefer heavy 
soils, and do better on clay than on sand or 
gravel. This is one of the grapes grown by 
E. S. Rogers, Salem, Massachusetts. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes thick, dark 
brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; intemodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, bifid to trifid. Leaves thick ; lobes 
lacking ; terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow ; 
lateral sinus very shallow ; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers 
on plan of 6, nearly self-fertile, open late ; stamens 
upright. Fruit midseason, keeps until midwinter. Clus- 
ters medium to large, short, broad, tapering, loose ; 
pedicel short : brush very short, pale green. Berries 
large, oval, dark purplish-red with thin bloom, very 
persistent ; skin thick, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh 
pale green, translucent, tough, stringy, solid, foxy; 
good. Seeds adherent, 2-5, large, long, brown. 

ALMERIA. V. vinijera. This is one of the 

varieties commonly found in eastern markets 
from Almeria and Malaga, Spain, although 
occasionally it may come from California, 
where the variety, or similar varieties con- 
fused with it, is now grown. This sort is 
remarkable for fruits of wonderful keeping 
qualities; it is adapted only to hot interior 
regions. The Almeria cultivated by the 
California Experiment Station is described as 
follows: 

"Vine vigorous. Leaves of medium size, round and 
slightly or not at all lobed, quite glabrous on both 
sides, teeth obtuse and alternately large and small ; 
bunches large, loose or compact, irregular conical. 
Berries from small to large, cylindrical, flattened on 
the ends, very hard and tasteless." 

AMERICA. V. cEstivalis Lincecumii y. V . 
rupestris. The notable qualities of America 
are vigor of growth and health of foliage in 
vine, and persistence of berries, which have 
strongly colored red juice, high sugar-content, 
and excellent flavor. The grapes wholly lack 
the foxy taste and aroma of Labrusca; and 
the variety, therefore, offers possibilities for 
breeding sorts lacking the foxy flavor of Con- 
cord and Niagara. Also, it is said to be a 
suitable stock upon which to graft Vinifera 
varieties to resist phylloxera. The vigor of 
the vine and the luxuriance of the foliage make 
it an excellent sort for arbors. America was 
grown by T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas; 
it was introduced about 1892. 



233 



234 



AMINIA 



BARRY 



Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, dark reddish-brown with heavy bloom ; nodes 
enlarged, flattened ; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid. 
Leaves small, thin; upper surface glossy, smooth; lower 
surface light green, hairy ; lobes lacking or faint, ter- 
minal one acute ; petiolar sinus deep and wide ; teeth 
of average depth and width. Flowers self-sterile, usually 
on plan of 6, open late ; stamens retlexed. Fruit mid- 
season or later, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad, 
tapering, irregular, single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel 
short, slender with small warts ; brush short, thick, with 
red tinge. Berries small, variable in size, round, 
purplish-black, glossy with purplish-red pigment, astrin- 
gent ; flesh dull white with faint red tinge, translucent, 
tender, melting, spicy, vinous, sweet ; good. Seeds free, 
2-5, long, pointed, yellowish-brown. 

AMINIA. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. Am- 
inia is one of the best early grapes, its season 
being with Moore Early or a little later. The 
grapes are of high quality and attractive ap- 
pearance, but the bunches are small, variable in 
size, not well formed, and the berries ripen un- 
evenly. The vine is vigorous, but is neither 
so hardy nor so productive as a commercial 
variety should be. The variety is one of 
Rogers' seedlings, named in 1867. 

Vine vigorous, precariously hardy, lacking in produc- 
tiveness. Canes rough, long, thick, dark brown ; nodes 
enlarged ; internodes long, tendrils intermittent, long, 
trifid or bifid, persistent. Leaves large ; lobes 3 ; 
terminal lobe acute ; petiolar siniis deep, narrow, often 
closed and overlapping ; basal sinus shallow, narrow ; 
teeth shallow, wide. Flowers open in midseason ; self- 
sterile ; stamens reflexed. Fruit early, keeps well. 
Clusters small, broad, irregular, conical, sometimes with 
a long shoulder, loose ; pedicel long, with few warts ; 
brush short, thick, brownish-red. Berries variable, 
round, dull black with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; 
skin thick, tender, adherent, with purplish-red pigment, 
astringent ; flesh greenish, translucent, tender, solid, 
coarse, foxy ; good. Seeds adherent, 1-6, very large. 

AUGUST GIANT. V. Labrusca X V. vini- 
jera. August Giant is a hybrid between Lab- 
rusca and Vinifera in which the fruit char- 
acters are those of the latter species. In ap- 
pearance and taste, the berry resembles that of 
Black Hamburg. The vine is usually vigorous 
and, considering its parentage, very hardy. The 
foliage is thick and luxuriant, and the quality 
of the fniit makes the variety desirable for 
the amateur. The crop needs a long-matur- 
ing season. August Giant was grown by 
N. B. White, Norwood, Massachusetts, in 1861. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, subject to mildew. Canes 
long, numerous, thick, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils continuous, long, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick ; lobes 3, terminal 
one acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, frequently 
closed and overlapping ; lateral sinus shallow or a 
notch ; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers open in mid- 
season, self -sterile ; stamens reflexed. Fruit midseason, 
keeps well. Clusters of average size, short, broad, 
irregularly tapering, single-shouldered, loose ; pedicel 
long, thick, witli large warts ; brush short, thick, green 
or with brown tinge. Berries large, oval, purplish-red 
or black, dull with thick bloom, firm ; skin tough, ad- 
herent, astringent ; flesh green, translucent, tough, 
stringj', good. Seeds adherent, 1-4, large, blunt, light 
brown. 

BACCHUS. V. vul-pina X V. Labrusca. 
Bacchus is an offspring of Clinton, which it 
resembles in vine- and leaf-characters, but sur- 
passes in quality of fruit and in productiveness 
of vine. The special points of merit of the 
variety are: resistance to cold; resistance to 



phylloxera; freedom from fungi and insects; 
productiveness; ease of multiplication; and 
capacity to bear grafts. Its limitations are: 
poor quality for table use; inability to with- 
stand dry soils or droughts ; and non-adapt- 
ability to soils containing much lime. The 
variety originated with J. H. Ricketts, New- 
burgh, New York, and was first exhibited by 
him in 1879. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
numerous, dark brown with bloom at the nodes which 
are enlarged and flattened ; tendrils bifid. Leaves small ; 
lobes 3, terminal one acuminate ; petiolar sinus shallow, 
narrow, wide. Flowers open early, self-sterile; stamens 
upright. Fruit late, keeps well, hangs long. Clusters 
small, slender, uniform, cylindrical, single-shouldered, 
compact ; pedicel short, slender, with a few warts ; 
brush short, wine-colored. Berries small, round, black, 
glossy, covered with thin bloom, hang well to pedicels, 
firm ; skiii thin, adherent, contains much wine-colored 
pigment, slightly astringent ; flesh dark green, trans- 
lucent, fine-grained, tough, vinous, spicy ; fair quality. 
Seeds clinging, 1-4, many abortive, large, short and 
wide, plump, sharply pointed, brown. 

BAKATOR. V. vinijera. This is a Hun- 
garian wine-grape, but the high quality and 
early season of the fruits make it a desirable 
table-grape in the East. Those beginning the 
culture of Vinifera grapes in eastern United 
States should include Bakator among the sorts 
to be tried first. The variety seems to be 
grown but little on the Pacific slope. The fol- 
lowing description is made from fruit grown 
at Geneva, New York: 

Vine medium in vigor, productive. Young leaves 
tinged red at edges, upper surface glossy ; mature leaves 
large, round ; lobes 5, terminal lobe acuminate ; basal 
sinus deep, medium to narrow, closed to overlapping ; 
lower lateral sinus deep, variable in width ; upper 
lateral sinus deep, usually narrow ; margins dentate, 
teeth shallow to medium deep. Flowers appear late ; 
stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens at Geneva the first or 
second week in October and keeps well in storage ; 
clusters above medium in size, medium in length, broad, 
frequently double-shouldered, tapering, medium to loose ; 
berries medium to small, oval, light red becoming dark 
when fully ripe, with thick bloom ; skin thin, tender, 
adherent to the pulp ; flesh greenish, juicy, tender, 
melting, vinous, swfet ; quality very good. 

BARRY. Fig. _ 

216. V. Labrusca X 
V. vinijera. Barry 
is one of the best 
American black 
grapes, resembling 
in berry and in 
flavor and keeping 
quality of fruit its 
European parent, 
Black Hamburg. 
The appearance of 
berry and bunch is 
attractive. The 
vine is vigorous, 
hardy, and produc- 
tive, but susceptible 
to mildew. The 
ripening season is 
just after that of 

Concord. For the table, for winter keeping, 
and for the amateur, the fruits of Barry may 
be highly recommended. Barry was dedicated 
in 1869, by E. S. Rogers, who originated it, 




216. Barry. (XVa) 



BELL 



BLACK MOROCCO 



235 



to Patrick Barry, distinguished nurseryman 
and pomologist. The variety is grown in gar- 
dens throughout the grape regions of eastern 
America. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive, susceptible to 
mildew. Canes long, numerous, thick, dark brown with 
hea^-y bloom ; nodes flattened ; shoots glabrous ; tendrils 
intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves large ; lobes 1-3, ter- 
minus acute; petioiar sinus deep, narrow, sometimes 
closed and overlapping ; basal sinus usually lacking ; lat- 
eral sinus shallow, narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers open 
in midseason, self-sterile ; stamens retiexed. Fruit mid- 
season, keeps well. Clusters short, very broad, taper- 
ing, often subdividing into several parts, compact ; 
pedicel with small warts. Berries large, oval, dark 
purplish-black, glossy, covered with heavy bloom, ad- 
herent ; skin thin, tough, adherent ; flesh pale green, 
translucent, tender, stringy, vinous, pleasant-flavored : 
good. Seeds adherent, 1-5, large, deeply notched, with 
enlarged neck, brown. 

BELL. V. vulpina X. ? Willie Bell. Bell is 
one of Munson's hybrids, its parents being 
Elvira crossed with Delaware. The characters 
of vine and fruit are chiefly those of Elvira, 
and, in particular, the grapes have the Elvira 
flavor, which is somewhat against them for a 
table grape. The fruit has the same value for 
wine-making as Elvira, and it is to be assumed 
that it will be desirable in the making of 
grape-juice. The variety is grown only in 
Texas and the neighboring states. Munson 
introduced Bell in 1881. 

Vine a strong grower, hardy, usually producing a full 
crop although a shy bearer in some localities. Leaves 
vigorous, healthy, medium to very large. Flowers mid- 
season, nearly fertile ; stamens upright. Fruit mid- 
season, keeps well ; clusters intermediate in size and 
length, frequently shouldered, compact ; berries rather 
small, round, dull green with a yellow tinge covered 
with heavy gray bloom, persistent ; skin thin, very 
tender, adherent to the pulp ; flesh moderately juicy and 
tender ; sweet at the skin, tart at the center. 

BERCKMANS. V. (Estivalis Bourquini^ 
ana X V. vulpina. In Berckmans we have the 
fruit of Delaware on the vme of Clinton. The 
berr_v and bunch resemble those of Delaware 
in shape; the fruit is of the same color; bunch 
and berry are larger; the grapes keep longer; 
the flesh is firmer, but the quality is not so 
good, as the flesh lacks tenderness and rich- 
ness. The vine of Berckmans is not only more 
vigorous, but less subject to mildew than 
that of Delaware. The vine-characters are not, 
however, so good as those of Clinton. The 
variety is poorly adapted to some soils, and 
on these the grapes do not color well. In 
spite of many good qualities, Berckmans is 
but an amateur's grape. The name com- 
memorates the viticultural labors of P. J. 
Berckmans, and was given by his friend, A. P. 
Wylie, Chester, South Carolina, who originated 
the variety. Berckmans came from Delaware 
seed sown in 1868, fertilized by Clinton. 

Vine vigorous, hard.v, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, slender, dark brown ; nodes prominent, flat- 
tened ; intemodes short ; shoots glabrous ; tendrils in- 
termittent, long, bifid. Leaves small, thin ; lobes 1-3, 
terminal one acute ; petioiar sinus shallow, wide ; basal 
sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus shallow. Flowers 
open early, self -fertile ; stamens upright. Fruit ripens 
with Delaware. Clusters shouldered, compact, slender ; 
pedicel long, slender with few warts ; brush short, light 
£reeii. Berries small, oval, Delaware-red, darker wlien 



well ripened, covered with thin bloom, persistent ; skin 
thin, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh pale yellowish- 
green, tratislucent, fine-grained, tender, melting, vinous, 
sweet, sprightly ; very good. Seeds free, 1-4, small, 
broad, blunt, brown. 

BETA. V. vulpina. One of the hardiest of 
all grapes. Beta has made a place for itself 
in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, where 
alone it is grown. The vines are not only 
hardy but also healthy and productive. The 
bunches are of medium size, while the berry 
is about half way in size between those of 
Delaware and Concord. The fruit ripens very 
early, and usually escapes frost even in these 
northern latitudes. In regions where the gen- 
eral run of American gcapes are grown, the 
quality of the fruit of this variety would 
be considered poor, the flavor being acid and 
somewhat astringent. It is said, however, that 
the grape-juice, jelly, and culinary prepara- 
tions made from fruit of Beta are most ex- 
cellent in quality. The variety is probably 
a pure Vulpina, although some believe it to 
have a trace of Labrusca blood as well. It 
originated with a Mr. Suelter, who says it is 
a cross between Carver, a Vulpina grape, and 
Concord. The date of origin is not given. 
Unfortunately the writer has not seen the 
fruit of Beta, and cannot find a satisfactory 
description of it. Growers report that it is 
very similar in vine and fruit to the well-known 
Janesville. 

BLACK HAMBURG. V. vinijera. Black 
Hamburg is an old European sort, long the 
mainstay in forcing-houses in Belgium, Eng- 
land, and America, and now popular out-of- 
doors in California. The grapes are excellent 
for the table and keep well, but the tender 
skin does not permit their being shipped far, 
especially when grown out-of-doors. Bunch 
and berry are as beautiful as in any grape 
that grows. The vine is subject to disease. 
The following description of the fruit is made 
from grapes grown in the greenhouse : 

Bunches very large, often a foot in length and 
weighing several pounds ; very broad at the shoulder 
and gradually tapering to a point ; compact, oftentimes 
too compact ; berries very large, round or slightly 
round-oval ; skin rather thick ; dark purple becoming 
black at full maturity ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet and 
rich ; quality very good or best. Season early in the 
forcing-house but rather late out-of-doors. 

BLACK MALVOISE. V. vinijera. This 
variety is widely grown in California as an 
early table-grape and might be worth trying 
in eastern grape regions. While the fruit is 
not of the best quality, it is good. The fol- 
lowing description is compiled ; 

Vine vigorous, healthy and productive ; wood long- 
jointed, rather slender, light brown. Leaves of medium 
size, oval, evenly and deeply five-lobed ; basal sinus 
open, with nearly parallel sides ; upper surface smooth, 
almost glabrous ; lower surface slightly tomentose on 
the veins and veinlets. Bundles large, loose, branching ; 
berries large, oblong, reddish black with faint bloom ; 
flesh firm, juicy, crisp ; flavor lacking in richness and 
character; quality not jiigh. Season early, keeping and 
shipping but poorly. 

BLACK MOROCCO. V. vinifera. Black 
Morocco very generally meets the approval 



236 



BRIGHTON 



CAMPBELL EARLY 



of grape-growers on the Pacific slope, without 
being a prime favorite for either home use 
or commerce. The grapes are not high enough 
in quality for a home vineyard, and, while 
they ship well, are hard to handle because 
of the large size and rigidity of the bunches. 
Another fault is that the vines are subject 
to root-knot. The chief asset of the variety is 
handsome appearance of fruit. This variety 
is remarkable for the number of second-crop 
bunches which it produces on the laterals. The 
following description is compiled: 

vine very vigorous, productive ; canes spreading, few. 
Leaves medium to small, very deeply five-lobed ; the 
younger leaves truncate at base, giving them a semi- 
circular outline, with long, sharp teeth alternating with 
very small ones ; glabrous, or nearly so, on both sides. 
Bunches very large, short, shouldered, compact and 
rigid. Berries very large, round, often misshapen from 
compression ; dull purple, lacking color in the center 
of tlie bunch ; flesh firm, crisp, neutral in flavor, lacking 
in richness ; quality rather low. Season late, keeping 
and shipping well. 

BRIGHTON. Fig. 217. V. Labrusca X V. 
vinijera. Brighton is one of the few Labrusca- 
Vinifera hybrids which has attained promi- 
nence in commercial vineyards. It ranks as 
one of the leading 
amateur grapes in 
eastern America, 
and is among the 
ten or twelve chief 
commercial sorts of 
this region. Its 
good points are: 
for the fruit, high 
quality; for the 
vine, vigorous 
growth, productive- 
ness, adaptability 
to various soils, and 
ability to withstand 
fungi. Brighton has 
two serious defects 
which keep it from 
taking higher rank 
as a commercial 
variety : the fruits 
deteriorate in qual- 
ity very quickly 
after maturity, so 
that they cannot 
be kept for more than a few days at best, 
hence cannot be shipped to distant markets; 
and the flowers are self-sterile to a more 
marked degree than in any other commonly- 
grown grape. Brighton is a seedling of Diana 
Hamburg pollinated by Concord, raised by 
Jacob Moore, Brighton, New York. The origi- 
nal vine fruited first in 1870. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive, subject to mildew. 
Canes long, numerous, liglit brown ; nodes enlarged, 
usually flattened ; internodes long ; tendrils continuous, 
long, bifid. Leaves large, thick ; lobes 3 when present, 
terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth 
and width ; lateral sinus shallow ; teeth narrow. Flow- 
ers open late, self-sterile ; stamens reflexed. Fruit mid- 
season. Clusters large, long, broad, tapering, heavily 
shouldered, loose : pedicel thick ; brush pale green with 
brown tinge, thick, short. Berries irregular, large, oval, 
light red, glossy with heavy bloom, persistent, soft ; skin 
tnick. tender, "adherent, astringent ; flesh green, trans- 
parent, tender, stringy, melting, aromatic, vinous, sweet ; 
very good. Seeds free, 1-5, broad, light brown. 




217. Brighton. (XVa) 



BRILLIANT. (F. Labrusca X V. vinijera) 
X y ■ ceslivalis Bourqidniana. Brilliant is a 
cross between Lindley and Delaware. In clus- 
ter and size of berry, it resembles Lindley; in 
color and quality of fruit it is about the same 
as Delaware, differing chiefly in having more 
astringency in the skin. Its season is about 
the same as that of Delaware. The grapes 
do not crack or shell, therefore ship well, and 
have very good keeping qualities, especially 
on the vine, where they often hang for weeks. 
The vine is vigorous and hardy. The defects 
which have kept Brilliant from becoming one 
of the standard commercial sorts are: marked 
susceptibility to fungi, variability in size of 
cluster, unevenness in ripening; and in pro- 
ductiveness. In favorable situations this 
variety pleases the amateur, and the com- 
mercial grower often finds it profitable. The 
seed which produced Brilliant was planted by 
T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, in 1883. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, rather unproductive. Canes 
long, numerous, thick, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, flat- 
tened ; internodes long ; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid. 
Leaves large, thick ; obscurely three-lobed with terminal 
lobe acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow ; basal and 
lateral sinuses obscure and shallow when present ; teeth 
intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open late, 
self-fertile ; stamens upright. Fruit early midseason, 
keeps well. Clusters medium, blunt, cylindrical, 
usually shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, thick, with 
a few warts ; brush short, thick, pale green with reddish 
tinge. Berries round, dark red, glossy with thin bloom, 
strongly adherent, firm ; skin thin, tough, adherent ; 
flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, stringy, fine-grained, 
vinous, sweet ; good. Seeds clinging, 1-4, large, broad, 
elongated, plump, light brown. 

CACO. V. Labrusca. Caco, said to be a 
cross between Catawba and Concord, is one 
of the most recent varieties, and is now on 
probation in many vineyards throughout the 
country. The variety was awarded a medal 
by the American Institute of New York, and 
is spoken of in superlative terms by nursery- 
men. On the grounds of the New York Agri- 
cultural Experiment Station, however, the va- 
riety is a failure, not equaling either parent in 
any of the characters of the fruit, except in 
size of berries, which are larger than those of 
either Concord or Catawba. The fruits are 
more of the Catawba type than of the Con- 
cord, resembling Catawba somewhat in color, 
but are not so bright, and the flavor is not 
so good. The grapes do not ripen very uni- 
formly, and the clusters are too small for a 
commercial grape. The variety was introduced 
by the J. T. Lovett Company in 1911. 

Vine rather vigorous, hardy, fairly productive. Fruit 
midseason, ripening with Concord ; clusters of medium 
size, slender, cylindrical, rather loose ; brush pale green ; 
berries large, round, variable in size and shape, color 
dull red similar to that of Catawba ; bloom heavy ; skin 
thick, tough, parting readily from the flesh ; flesh 
greenish-white, transparent. Arm. juicy, tender, flavor 
somewhat like that of Lindlev hut milder, s«'eet ; quality 
good ; seeds 3 or 4, rather large, separating readily 
from the flesh. 

CAMPBELL EARLY. Fig. 218. V. Lci- 
brusca X V. vinijera. The meritorious quali- 
ties of Campbell Early are: the grapes are 
high in quality when mature; free from foxi- 



CANADA 



CATAWBA 



237 




218. Campbell Early. 
(XVs) 



ness and from acidity about the seeds; have 
small seeds which easily part from the flesh; 
are earl.v, ripening nearly a fortnight before 
Concord; bunch an<l berry are large and hand- 
some; and the vines are exceptionally hardy. 
Campbell Early 
falls short in not 
being adapted to 
many soils; the va- 
riety lacks produc- 
tiveness ; the grapes 
attain full color be- 
fore they are ripe, 
and are, therefore, 
often marketed in 
an unripe condi- 
tion ; the bunch is 
variable in size ; 
and the color of the 
berry is not attrac- 
tive. George W. 
Campbell, Dela- 
ware, Ohio, grew 
this variety from a 
seedling of IMoore 
Early pollinated by 
a Labrusca-Vinifera 
hybrid. It bore first 
in 1892. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes thick, dark 
reddish-brown, surface roughened with small warts ; 
nodes flattened ; internodes short ; shoots pubescent ; 
tendrils intermittent, short, bifid or trifid. Leaves 
large, thick ; lobes 3. usually entire, terminal one acute ; 
petiolar sinus shallow, wide, basal sinus pubescent ; 
lateral sinus wide or a notch ; teeth shallow, narrow. 
Flowers self -fertile, open in midseason ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters 
usually large, long, broad, tapering, single-shouldered ; 
pedicel short, slender, with small warts ; brush long, 
light wine color. Berries usually large, round, oval, 
dark purplish-black, dull with heavy bloom, persistent, 
firm ; skin tough, thin, adherent with dark red pig- 
ment, astringent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, coarse, 
vinous, sweet from skin to center ; good. Seeds free, 
1-4, light brown, often with yellow tips. 

CANADA. V. vuIpinaXV. vinifera. Can- 
ada is considered the most desirable hybrid 
between Vulpina and Vinifera. The variety 
shows Vinifera more than Vulpina parentage : 
thus, in susceptibility to fungal diseases; in 
shape, color, and texture of foliage ; in the 
flavor of the fruit; and in the seeds, there are 
marked indications of Vinifera ; while the vine, 
especially in the slenderness of its shoots and 
in the bunch and berry, shows Vulpina. The 
fruits have little value for dessert, but make 
very good red wine and grape-juice. Canada 
is a seedling of Clinton, a Labnisca-Vulpina 
hybrid, fertilized by Black St. Peters, a variety 
of Vinifera. Charles Arnold, Paris, Ontario, 
planted the seed which produced Canada in 
1860. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, 
numerous, slender, ash-gray, reddish-brown at nodes 
with heavy bloom ; nodes enlarged ; internodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, short, trifid or bifid. Leaves thin ; 
terminal lobe acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow ; basal 
sinus variable in depth and width ; lateral sinus deep 
and narrow ; teeth deep and wide. Flowers self-sterile, 
early ; stamens upright. Fruit midseason, keeps well. 



Clusters long, slender, uniform, cylindrical, compact ; 
pedicel long, slender, smooth ; brush short, light brown. 
Berries small, round, purplish-black, glossy with heavy 
bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tough, adherent; 
flesh dark green, very juicy, fine-grained, tender, spicy, 
pleasant vinous flavor, agreeably tart ; good. Seeds free, 
1-3, blunt, light brown. 

CARMAN. V. cestivalis Lincccurnii X ? 
Carman has not become popular with grow- 
ers, chiefly because the grapes ripen very late 
and are not of high quality. The most val- 
uable character of the fruits is that of long 
keeping, whether hanging on the vine or after 
harvesting. T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, 
raised Carman from seed of a wdd post-oak 
grape taken from the woods, pollinated with 
mixed pollen of Triumph and Herbemont. It 
was introduced in 1892. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, rather productive. Canes 
long, numerous, thick, reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes long ; tendrils intermittent, long, 
trifid. Leaves large, thick ; terminal lobe acute ; petiolar 
sinus deep ; basal sinus absent or shallow ; lateral sinus 
shallow when present. Flowers self-fertile or nearly so, 
open very late ; stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps 
well. Clusters variable in size, tapering, single- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, slender, smooth ; 
brush short, slender, wine-colored. Berries small, round, 
slightly oblate, purplish-black, glossy, covered with 
heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin thin, tough, free ; 
flesh yellowish-green, tender, post-oak flavor, vinous, 
spicy ; good to very good. Seeds free, 1-4, small, blunt, 
brown. 

CATAWBA. Fig. 219. V. Labrusca X V. 
vinifera. Arkansas. Cherokee. Fancher. Leb- 
anon. Lincoln. Michigan. Muncy. Omega. 
Saratoga. Singleton. Tokay. Virginia. Ca- 
tawba has long been the standard red grape 
in the markets of eastern America, chiefly 




219. Catawba. (X%) 

because the fruit keeps well and is of high 
quality. The vine is vigorous, hardy, and 
productive, but the foliage and fruit are sus- 
ceptible to fungi. These two faults account 
for the decline of Catawba in grape regions 
in the United States and for its growing un- 
popularity. The characters of Catawba seem 
readily transmissible to its offspring; besides 
having a number of pure-bred descendants 
which more or less resemble it, it is a parent 
of a still greater number of cross-breeds. As 



238 



CHAMPION 



CLINTON 



with Catawba, most of its progeny show 
Vinifera characters, as intermittent tendrils, 
Vinifera color of foliage, a vinous flavor wholly 
or nearly free from foxiness, and the suscepti- 
bilities of Labrusca-Vinifera hybrids to certain 
diseases and insects. Catawba was introduced 
by John Adlum, District of Columbia, about 
1823. Adlum secured cuttings from a Mrs. 
Soholl, Clarksburgh, Montgomery County, 
Maryland, in the spring of 1819. Its further 
history is not known. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes numerous, 
thick, dark brown ; nodes enlarged ; tendrils continuous, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves large ; lobes sometimes 3, 
terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus often laclcing ; lateral 
sinus narrow ; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self- 
sterile, open late, stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps 
well. Clusters large, long, broad, tapering, single- or 
sometimes double-shouldered, loose ; pedicel with a few 
inconspicuous warts ; brush short, pale green. Berries 
of medium size, oval, dull purplish-red with thick bloom, 
firm : skin thick, adherent, astringent : flesh green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, vinous, sprightly, sweet 
and rich ; very good. Seeds free, frequently aljortive, 
2, broad-necked, distinctly notched, blunt, brown. 

CHAMPION. V. Labrusca. Beaconsfield. 

Early Champion. Talman's Seedling. Cham- 
pion is a favorite early grape with some grow- 
ers, although the poor quality of the fruit 
should have driven it from cultivation long 
ago. The characters which have kept it in the 
market are earliness, good shipping qualities, 
attractive appearance of fruit, and a vigorous, 
productive, hardy vine. The hardiness of the 
vine and the short season of fruit development 
make it a good variety for northern climates. 
This grape is best in appearance of fruit, in 
quality, and in the quantity produced, on 
light sandy soils. The origin of Champion is 
unknown. It was first grown about 1870 in 
New York. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy and productive. Canes of 
average size, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; 
"internodes short : shoots pubescent ; tendrils continuous, 
long, bifid. Leaves large ; lobes usually 3. often ob- 
scurely 5. terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus deep ; teeth 
shallow. Flowers self-fertile, early ; stamens upright. 
Fruit early, 3 weeks before Concord, season short. 
Clusters medium in size, blunt, cylindrical, usually not 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel short with inconspicuous 
warts ; brush white tinged with bronze. Berries medium 
in size, round, dull black covered with heavy bloom, 
soft : skin thick, tender, adherent, astringent ; flesh 
light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, 
foxy ; poor in quality. Seeds adherent, 1-5, broad, 
long, blunt, light brown. 

CHASSELAS GOLDEN. V. vinijera. 
Chasselas Dore. Fontainebleau. Sweetwater. 
Several qualities have made Chasselas Gold- 
en a favorite grape wherever it can be grown. 
The variety is adapted to widely differing 
environments; the season of ripening is 
early; while not choicely high, the quality of 
the grapes is good and they are beautiful — 
clear green tinged with golden bronze where 
exposed to the sun. Chasselas Golden is a 
popular variety on the Pacific slope, and should 
be one of the" first Viniferas to be tried in the 
East. The following description was made 
from fruit grown at Geneva, New York: 

Vine medium in vigor, very productive; buds open in 
midseason. Young leaves tinged with red on both upper 



and lower surfaces, thinly pubescent to glabrous ; ma- 
ture leaves medium to above in size, slightly cordate ; 
lobes 6, terminal lobe acuminate ; basal sinus broad 
and rather deep ; lower lateral sinus variable, usually 
broad and sometimes deep ; upper lateral sinus broad 
and frequently deep ; teeth large, obtuse to rounded. 
Flowers late ; stamens upright. Fruit ripens early and 
keeps well in storage. Clusters large, long, broad, taper- 
ing, sometimes with a single shoulder, compactness 
medium. Berries medium to above, slightly oval, pale 
green to clear yellow, with thin bloom ; skin thin, 
tough, adherent, slightly astringent ; flesh greenish, 
translucent, firm, juicy, tender, sweet ; good. 

CHASSELAS ROSE. V. vinijera. Chas- 
selas Rose is very similar to Cliasselas Golden, 
the fruits differing chiefly in smaller bunch 
and berry and slightly different flavor, which 
is possibly better. It is a standard sort in 
California and should be planted in the East 
where the culture of Viniferas is attempted. 
The description is made from fruit grown at 
Geneva, New York. 

Vine of medium vigor, productive. Opening leaves 
tinged with red on both surfaces, mature leaves small, 
round ; lobes 3 ; basal sinus medium in depth and of 
variable width ; lateral sinus deep, narrow ; teeth shal- 
low, wide. Flowers appear late ; stamens upright. 
Fruit ripens the second week in October and is a 
good keeper though it loses its flavor in storage. 
Clusters . above and below medium, long, tapering to 
cylindrical, compact. Berries medium in size, roundish 
oval, light red changed to violet-red by the bloom ; skin 
tliin. astringent, juicy, tender, sweet, mild ; quality 
good. 

CLEVENER. V. vulpina X V. Labrusca. 
The fruit of Clevener is remarkable in color- 
ing very early and in ripening late. The vine 
is hardy, very vigorous, succeeds in various 
soils, and, since it bears grafts well, is an ex- 
cellent sort upon which to graft varieties not 
thriving on their own roots. Clevener is self- 
sterile and must be planted with some other 
variety to set fruit well. In spite of its good 
qualities, Clevener is hardly holding its own 
in commercial vineyards, and is not a desirable 
fruit for the amateur who wants a table-grape. 
Clevener has been raised in the vicinity of 
Egg Harbor, New Jersey, since about 1870, 
but its place and time of origin are unkno%vn. 

Vine a rampant grower, hardy, productive. Canes 
long, numerous, thick, dark reddish-brown with heavy 
bloom ; nodes enlarged ; tendrils continuous, bifid. 
Leaves unusuall.v large ; lobes wanting or faint ; teeth 
deep. wide. Flowers self-sterile, open very early ; 
stamens reflexed. Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters do 
not always fill well, small, short, slender, irregularly 
tapering, often with a single shoulder. Berries small, 
round or slightly flattened, black, glossy, covered with 
heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin tcugh. thin, in- 
clined to crack, adherent, with much purplish-red pig- 
ment : flesh reddish-green, juicy, tender, soft, fine- 
grained, aromatic, spicy ; good. Seeds free, notched, 
sharp-pointed, dark brown. 

CLINTON. V. vulpinaXV. Labrusca. 
Worthingtuit. Clinton came into prominence 
because of vigor, hardiness, fruitfulness, and 
immunity to phylloxera. A serious defect is 
that the vines bloom early and in northern 
climates the blossoms are often caught by late 
frosts. Other defects are : the fruit is small and 
sour, and the seeds and skins are prominent. 
The fruit colors early in the season, but does 
not ripen until late, a slight touch of frost im- 



COLERAIN 



COTTAGE 



239 



proving the flavor. Clinton bears grafts well, 
making a quick and firm union with Labrusca 
and Vinifera, and the vines are easily propa- 
gated from cuttings. The offspring of Clinton 
are usually very hardy, and this fact, taken 
with its other desirable characters, makes it 
an exceptionally good starting-point for breed- 
ing grapes for northern latitudes. Clinton is 
an old sort, the Worthington, known as early 
as 1815, renamed; it began to attract atten- 
tion about 1840. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
long, numerous, slender, reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged 
flattened ; shoots smooth ; tendrils intermittent, s 
times continuous, bifid. Leaves hang until late in 
season, small, thin ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, 
shaped ; basal and lateral sinuses shallow ; teeth ^ 
Flowers self-fertile, open early ; stamens upright. Fruit 
midseason. Clusters small, slender, cylindrical, uniform 
single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, very slender, 
smooth : brush tinged with red. Berries small, ro 
oval, purplish-blaclc, glossy, covered with thick bl 
adherent, firm ; skin very thin, tough, free from pulp 
with much wine-colored pigment, astringent ; flesh dark 
green, juicy, fine-grained, tough, solid, spicy, sour, 
vinous. Seeds adherent, 2, short, blunt, brownish. 

COLERAIN. V. Labrusca. This is one of 
the numerous seedlings of Concord, bearing 
white grapes. The vine has the characteristic 
foliage and habit of growth of its parent, but 
the fruit is earlier by a week, is of much 
higher quality, and lacks the foxiness of most 
Labniscas. The grapes are sprightly and 
vinous, and neither seeds nor skin are so ob- 
jectionable as in the parent. The fruit hangs 
well to the vine and keeps well, but owing to 
tender pulp does not ship well. The variety 
is unproductive in some localities. Colerain 
is worthy a place in home vineyards. David 
Bundy, Colerain, Ohio, grew this variety from 
seed of Concord planted in 1880. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, unproductive. Canes 
slender, dark reddish-brown ; nodes flattened ; intemodes 
short, bifid. Leaves thick ; leaf not lobed, terminus 
acute : petiolar sinus wide ; basal and lateral sinus 
very shallow when present ; teeth shallow. Flowers self- 
fertile, opening in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit 
early. Clusters medium in size and length, slender, 
blunt, tapering, irregular, strongly shouldered, compact ; 
pedicel slender, smooth ; brush green. Berries round, 
light green, glossy witii thin bloom, persistent ; skin 
unusually thin, tender, adherent, unpigmented. astrin- 
gent : flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, 
tender, soft, vinous, sweet ; good. Seeds free, 1-3, 
small, broad, notched, short, plump, brown. 



CONCORD. Fig. 220. V. Labrusca. Con- 
cord is the most widely known of the grapes 
of this continent, and, with its offspring, pure- 
bred and cross-bred, furnishes 75 per cent of 
the grapes of eastern America. The preemi- 
nently meritorious character of Concord is that 
it adapts itself to varying conditions. A sec- 
ond character which commends Concord is 
fruitf ulness ; the vine bears large crops year in 
and year out. Added to these points of su- 
periority are hardiness, ability to withstand 
the ravages of diseases and insects, compara- 
tive earliness, certainty of maturity in north- 
ern regions, and fair size and handsome ap- 
pearance of bunch and berry. The variety is 
not, however, without faults: the quality is 




220. Concord. (XVa) 



not high, as the grapes lack richness, delicacy 
of flavor and aroma, and have a foxy taste 
disagreeable to many ; the seeds and skin are 
objectionable, as the seeds are large and 
abundant and difficult to separate from the 
flesh, and the skin is tough and unpleasantly 
astringent ; the 
grapes do not keep 
nor ship well, and 
rapidly lose flavor 
after ripening ; the 
.skin cracks and the 
beiTies shell from 
the stems after 
picking; and the 
vine is but slightl.v 
resistant to phyl- 
loxera. While Con- 
cord is grown in the 
South, it is essen- 
tially a northern 
grape, which be- 
comes susceptible 
to fungi in southern 
climates and suffers 
from phylloxera in 
dry, warm soils. 
Seeds of a wild grape were planted in the 
fall of 1843 by E. W. Bull, Concord, Massa- 
chusetts, from which plants fruited in 1849. 
One of these seedlings was named Concord. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
long, thick, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, flat- 
tened ; internodes long ; shoots pubescent ; tendrils 
continuous, long, bifid, sometimes trifid. Leaves large, 
thick ; lobes 3 when present, terminal one acute ; 
petiolar sinus variable ; basal sinus usually lacking ; 
lateral sinus obscure and frequently notched ; teeth 
shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid- 
season : stamens upright. Fruit midseason, keeps from 
1-2 months. Clusters uniform, large, wide, broadly 
tapering, usually single-shouldered, sometimes double- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel thick, smooth ; brush pale 
green. Berries large, round, glossy, black, with heavy 
bloom, firm ; skin tough, adlierent with a small amount 
of wine-colored pigment, astringent ; flesh pale green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tough, solid, foxy ; good. 
Seeds adherent, 1-4, large, broad, distinctly notched, 
plump, blunt, brownish. 

COTTAGE. V. Labrusca. In vine and 
fruit. Cottage resembles its parent. Concord, 
having, however, remarkably large, thick, 
leathery leaves.- It is noted also for its strong, 
branching root system and canes so rough 
as to be almost spiny. The fruit is better in 
quality than that of its parent, having less 
foxiness and a richer, more delicate flavor. 
The crop ripens from one to two weeks earlier 
than that of Concord. The good qualities of 
the variety are offset by comparative unpro- 
ductiveness of the vine, and unevenness in the 
ripening of the crop. Cottage is recommended 
for the garden as an early grape of the Concord 
type. This variety was grown from seed of 
Concord by E. W. Bull, Concord, Massachu- 
setts. It was introduced in 1869. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy. Canes rough, hairy, 
long, numerous, dark brown ; nodes enlarged ; shoots 
very pubescent ; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves large, 
thick ; leaf entire with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus 
deep and wide ; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers self-sterile, 



CREVELING 



DELAWARE 



ope.i early; stamens upright. Fruit does not keep well. 
Clusters of medium size, broad, cylindrical, sometimes 
single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, thick, with 
a few small warts ; brush dark red. Berries of medium 
size, round, dull black with heavy bloom, drop badly 
from pedicel, firm ; skin thick, tender, adherent with 
dark purplish-red pigment, astringent ; flesh juicy, tough, 
solid, foxy ; good. Seeds free, 1-4, large, broad, blunt, 
light brown. 

CREVELING. V. Lahrusca X V. vinifera. 
Bloom. Bloomburg. Cataimssa. Columbia 
Bloom. Creveling was long a favorite black 
grape for the garden, where, if planted in good 
soil, it produces fine clusters of large, handsome, 
very good grapes. Under any but the best of 
care, however, the vine is unproductive and sets 
loose, straggling bunches. The flowers are 
markedly self-sterile. The origin of Creveling 
is uncertain. It was introduced about 1857 by 
F. F. Merceron, Catawissa, Pennsylvania. 

Vine vigorous, not liardy. often unproductive. Canes 
long, numerous, thick, reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes long ; shoots glabrous ; tendrils 
continuous, long, trifid or bifid. Leaves large, thick ; 
lobes 3, or obscurely 5, terminal one acute ; petiolar 
sinus shallow, narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers on plan 
of 6, self-sterile, open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. 
Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters long, broad, 
irregularly tapering, single-shouldered, the shoulder 
often connected to the cluster by a long stem, loose ; 
brush thick, dark wine-color. Berries large, oval, dull 
black, covered with heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent with wine-colored pigment, 
astringent ; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, stringy, 
tender, coarse, foxy ; good. Seeds free, 1-5, broad, 
notched, blunt, light brown. 

CROTON. V. CBsiivalis Bourquiniana X V. 
vinijera. The fruit of Croton is a feast both 
to the eye and to the palate. Unfortunately, 
the vine is difficult to grow, as it is adapted 
to but few soils and proves unfruitful, weak 
in growth, precariously tender, and subject to 
mildew and rot in unfavorable situations. The 
grapes have a delicate, sweet Vinifera flavor, 
with melting flesh which readily separates from 
the few seeds. The crop hangs on the vines 
imtil frost and keeps well into the winter. 
In spite of high quality of fruit, Croton has 
never become widely distributed, and wholly 
fails as a commercial variety. It originated 
with S. W. Underhill, Croton Pomt, New 
York. Fruits were first exhibited in 1868. 

Vine vigorous, tender, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, thick, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged ; 
internodes short ; shoots glabrous ; tendrils intermittent, 
long, bifid. Leaves of medium size, hang late ; lobes 5, 
terminal one blunt ; basal sinus narrow ; lateral sinus 
deep and narrow ; petiolar sinus narrow, often closed 
and overlapping ; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers self- 
fertile, open late : stamens upright. Fruit midseason, 
keeps well. Clusters uniform, very large, long, slender, 
irregularly tapering with heavy shoulder, very loose ; 
pedicel long, thick with inconspicuous warts ; brush 
green. Berries irregular in size, round-elongated, 
yellowish-green with thin bloom, persistent, soft ; skin 
thin, tough, adherent, unpigmented ; flesh green, trans- 
parent, very juicy, melting, vinous, pleasant, agreeably 
sweet ; very good. Seeds free, 1-3, elongated, notched, 
sharply pointed. 

CYNTHIANA. V. cEslivalis X V. Lahrusca. 
There is controversy as to whether this 
variety differs from Norton. The two ripen 
their crops at separate times, and the fruits 
differ a little, so that they must be considered 



as distinct. Cynthiana is particular as to soil 
and location, preferring sandy loams, and does 
not thrive on clays or limestones. While very 
resistant to phyllo.xera, this variety is not 
much used as a resistant stock because it is 
not easily propagated. The vines are resistant 
to mildew, black-rot, and anthracnose, and are 
strong, vigorous growers. The cycle of vege- 
tation for Cynthiana is long, since the buds 
burst forth early, and the crop matures very 
late. The fruits have no value as table-grapes, 
but in the South make the best red wine, and 
no doubt, will make good grape-juice. Cyn- 
thiana was received about 1850 by Prince, of 
Flushing, Long Island, from Arkansas. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
medium in length, numerous, reddish-brown with thick 
bloom ; nodes enlarged ; internodes short ; shoots 
glabrous; tendrils intermittent or continuous, bifid. 
Leaves thick, firm ; lobes variable in number ; terminal 
one acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narT0w% closed, some- 
times overlapping ; basal sinus shallow ; lateral sinus 
shallow, narrow ; teeth shallow ; stamens upright. Fruit 
very late, keeps well. Clusters medium to small, long, 
tapering, often single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel 
short, slender, with numerous warts ; brush short, thick, 
wine-colored. Berries small, round, black, covered with 
heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin thin, tough, ad- 
herent, with purple pigment, astringent ; flesh dark 
green, translucent, juicy, tougii, firm, spicy, tart ; poor 
in quality. Seeds adherent, 1-6, short, blunt, dark 
brown. 

DELAWARE. Fig. 221. V. cestivalw 
Bourquiniana. French Grape. Powell. Ruff. 
Delaware is used wherever American grapes are 
grown as the standard to gauge the quality of 
other grapes. In addition to high quality 
in fruit, the variety withstands climatic con- 
ditions to which all but the most hardy varie- 
ties succumb, is ad- 
apted to many soils 
and conditions, and 
bears in most situa- 
tions an abundant 
crop. These qualities 
make it, next to Con- 
cord, the most popu- 
lar grape for garden 
and vineyard now 
grown in the United 
States. Besides the 
qualities named, the 
grapes mature suffi- 
ciently early to make 
the crop certain, are 
attractive in appear- 
ance, keep and ship 
well, and are immune to black-rot. Faults of 
the variety are: small vine, slow growth, sus- 
ceptibility to mildew, capriciousness in certain 
soils, and small berries. Delaware succeeds 
best in deep, rich, well-drained, warm soils, 
but even on these it must have good cultiva- 
tion and close pruning, and the crop must be 
thmned. Delaware is grown North and South, 
■westward to the Rocky Mountains. It is now 
proving profitable in many southern locations 
as an early grape to ship to northern markets. 
It is an especially desirable grape to cultivate 
in small gardens because of its delicious, hand- 
some fruit, its compact habit of growth, and 




221. Delaware. (X 



DIAMOND 



DRACUT AMBER 



241 



its ample and lustrous green, delicately formed 
leaves, which make it one of the most orna- 
mental of grapes. Delaware can be traced to 
the garden of Paul H. Provost, Frenchtown, 
New Jersey, where it was growing early in the 
nineteenth century, whence it was taken to 
Delaware, Ohio, in 1849. 

Vine weak, hardy, productive. Canes short, numerous, 
fllender, dark brown ; nodes enlarged ; internodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, short, bifid. Leaves small ; lobes 
3-5 in number, terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus nar- 
row ; basal sinus narrow and shallow when present ; 
lateral sinus deep, narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers self- 
fertile, open late ; stamens upright. Fruit early, keeps 
well. Clusters small, slender, blunt, cylindrical, regu- 
lar, shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, slender, smooth ; 
brush light brown. Berries uniform in size and shape, 
small, round, light red, covered with thin bloom, per- 
sistent, firm ; skin thin, tough, adherent, unpigmented, 
astringent ; flesh light green, translucent, juicy, tender, 
aromatic, vinous, refreshing, sweet ; best in quality. 
Seeds free, 1-4, broad, notched, short, blunt, light 
brown. 

DIAMOND. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. 
Few other grapes surpass Diamond in qual- 
ity and beauty of fruit. When to its desirable 
fruit-characters are added hardiness, produc- 
tiveness, and vigor of vine, the variety is sur- 
passed by no other green grape. Diamond is 
a diluted hybrid between Labrusca and Vini- 
fera, and the touch of the exotic grape is just 
sufficient to give the fruits the richness in 
flavor of the Old World grape without over- 
coming the refreshing sprightliness of the na- 
tive fox-grapes. The plant resembles closely 
that of its American parent, Concord. 
Diamond can be grown in as great a range 
of latitude as Concord. Jacob Moore, 
Brighton, New York, grew Diamond about 
1870 from Concord seed fertilized by lona. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes short, brown 
with a sliglit tinge of red ; nodes enlarged ; internodes 
short ; tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves thick ; lobes 
3, indistinct ; petiolar sinus very shallow ; teeth shallow. 
Flowers self-fertile, open early ; stamens upright. Fruit 
early, keeps well. Clusters medium to short, broad, 
blunt, cylindrical, often single-shouldered, compact ; 
pedicel short, thick with a few inconspicuous warts ; 
brush slender, pale green. Berries large, ovate, green 
with a tinge of yellow, glossy, covered with thin bloom, 
persistent, firm ; skin thin, tough, adherent, astringent ; 
flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, tender, melting, fine- 
grained, aromatic, sprightly ; very good. Seeds free, 
1-4, broad and long, sharp-pointed, yellowish-brown. 

DIANA. V. Labrusca X V. linijera. Diana 
is a seedling of Catawba, to which its fruits 
bear strong resemblance, differing chiefly in 
having lighter color, in being less pulpy and 
more juicy. The chief point of superiority 
of Diana over Catawba is its earliness, as the 
crop ripens ten days sooner, making possible 
its culture far to the north. The defects of 
Diana are: the vine is tender in cold winters; 
the grapes ripen unevenly ; the berries and 
foliage are susceptible to fungi ; and the vine 
is a shy bearer. Diana demands poor, dry, 
gravelly soil without much humus or nitrogen. 
On clays, loams, or rich soils the vines make 
a rank growth, and the fruits are few, late, and 
of poor quality. The vine needs to be long 
pruned and to have all surplus bimches re- 
moved, leaving a small crop to mature. Mrs. 



Diana Crehore, Milton, Massachusetts, grew 
Diana from seed of Catawba, planted about 
1834. 

Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, often unproductive. 
Canes pubescent, long, reddish-brown, covered with 
thin bloom ; nodes enlarged, Hattened ; internodes long ; 
tendrils intermittent, long, bifid. Leaves large, thick ; 
lobes 3-5, terminal one acute; petiolar sinus deep, wide, 
often closed and overlapping ; basal sinus shallow ; 
lateral sinus narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, 
open in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps 
well. Clusters large, broad, tapering, occasionally 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel covered with small warts ; 
brush slender, pale green. Berries medium in size, 
slightly ovate, light red covered with thin bloom, per- 
sistent, firm ; skin thick, tough, slightly adherent ; flesh 
pale green, translucent, juicy, tough, fine-grained, 
vinous ; good. Seeds adherent, 1-3, light brown. 

DOWNING. V. Labrusca X V, vinifera. 
Downing is well worthy of a place in the 
garden because of the high quality, handsome 
appearance, and good keeping qualities of the 
grapes. Added to these qualities of the fruits 
are fair vigor and health of vine. When grown 
as far north as New York, the vine should 
be laid down in the winter or receive other 
protection. In most seasons, unremitting war- 
fare must be kept up to check mildew. In 
appearance of bunch and berry, Downing is 
distinct, the clusters being large and w'ell- 
formed, and the berries having the oval shape 
of a Malaga. The flesh, also, shows V. I'inifcra 
in texture and quality, while neither seeds nor 
skins are so objectionable as in pure-bred 
American varieties. J. H. Ricketts, Newburgh, 
New York, first grew Downing about 1865. 

Vine tender to cold, unproductive. Canes short, few, 
slender, dark green with an ash-gray tinge, surface 
covered with thin bloom, often roughened with a few 
small warts ; nodes much enlarged, strongly flattened ; 
internodes short ; tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. 
Leaves small, round, thick ; lobes ' l-o, terminal lobe 
acute ; petiolar sinus narrow, closed and overlapping ; 
basal sinus shallow and narrow when present ; lateral 
sinus shallow, narrow ; teeth wide, deep. Flowers open 
late ; stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps until spring. 
Clusters large, long, slender, cylindrical, sometimes 
loosely shouldered ; pedicel slender, green. Berries 
large, markedly oval, dark purplish-black, glossy, cov- 
ered with light bloom, strongly persistent, firm ; skin 
thick, tender, adherent ; flesh green with a yellow 
tinge, translucent, very juicy, tender, fine-grained, 
vinous, mild ; very good in quality. Seeds free, 1-3, 
notched, long, brown. 

DRACUT AMBER. V. Labrusca. Dracut 
Amber is representative of the red type of 
Labrusca. The fruit has no particular merit; 
its thick skin, coarse pulp, seeds, and foxy 
taste all are objectionable. However, the vine 
is very hardy and productive, and ripens its 
fruit early, so that this variety becomes val- 
uable in locations where a vigorous, hardy, 
early grape is wanted. Asa Clement, Dracut, 
Massachusetts, grew Dracut Amber from seed 
planted about 1855. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; tendrils 
continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick ; 
lobes 3-5. with terminal one. obtuse; petiolar sinus 
deep, narrow ; basal sinus shallow, wide ; teeth shallow. 
Flowers on plan of 6. semi-fertile, midseason. Fruit 
early, season short. Clusters short, broad, cylindrical, 
irregular, rarely shouldered, compact : pedicel short, 
covered with warts ; brush long, light yellowish-green. 



242 



DUTCHESS 



EARLY VICTOR 




Berries medium to large, oval, dull pale red or dark 
amber, covered with thin bloom, soft ; skin very thick, 
tender, adlierent, astringent ; flesh green, translucent, 
juicy, tough, very foxy ; inferior in quality. Seeds ad- 
lierent, 2-5, large, broad, light brown. 

DUTCHESS. Fig. 222. V. Lahrusca X ? 
Dutchess is not grown largely in commercial 
vineyards because of several faults: the vine 
is tender to cold; the berries do not ripen 
evenly ; berries and 
foliage are susceptible 
to fungi ; and, in soils 
to which the variety 
is not adapted, berries 
and bunches are small. 
In spite of these de- 
fects, Dutchess should 
not be discarded by 
the grape-lover, for 
there are few grapes 
of higher quality. The 
grapes are sweet and 
rich, yet do not cloy 
the appetite ; although 
of but medium size, 
they are attractive, 
having a beautiful am- 
ber color with distinc- 
tive dots; the flesh is 
translucent, sparkling, 
fine-grained, and ten- 
der ; the seeds are 
small, few, and part 
readily from the pulp ; 
the skin is thin, yet 
tough enough for good 
keeping; and the bunches are large and com- 
pact when well grown. The variety is self- 
fertile, and, therefore, desirable when only 
a few vines are wanted. A. J. Caywood, Marl- 
boro, New York, grew Dutchess from seed of a 
white Concord seedling planted in 1868. 

Vine vigorous, an uncertain bearer. Canes dark brown 
with light bloom, surface roughened ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils intermittent, short, 
bifid or trifid. LeaVes irregular in outline ; leaf entire 
with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus narrow ; basal sinus 
shallow when present ; lateral sinus medium in depth or 
a mere notch. Flowers self-fertile, open late ; stamens 
upright. Fruit midseason, keeps and ships well. Clus- 
ters large, long, slender, tapering with a prominent 
single shoulder ; pedicel slender, smooth ; brush amber- 
colored. Berries of medium size, round, pale yellow- 
green verging on amber, some showing' bronze tinge with 
thin bloom, persistent, firm ; skin sprinkled with small 
dark dots, thin, tough, adherent ; flesh pale green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous, sweet, of 
pleasant flavor ; quality high. Seeds free, 1, 2 or occa- 
sionally 3, small, short, sharp-pointed, brown. 

EARLY DAISY. V. Labrusca. The qual- 
ities of Early Daisy make the variety better 
than commonplace. Its early fruits commend 
it, for the ripening period is eight or ten days 
earlier than that of Champion or Moore Early, 
making it one of the very earliest sorts. For 
a variety maturing its crop so early, the grapes 
both keep and ship well. Early Daisy is 
quite as desirable as Hartford or Champion, 
and for a home vineyard more so. The 
variety originated with John Kready, Mount 
Joy, Pennsylvania, in 1874. 



222. Dutchess. 
(X%) 



Vine vigorous, hardy, produces fair crops. Canes of 
medium length, numerous, slender, reddish-brown ; nodes 
enlarged, flattened ; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves. 
small, light green ; cobwebby ; lobes wanting or faintly 
3 ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow ; teeth shallow, narrow. 
Flowers nearly self-sterile. Fruit early. Clusters small 
to medium, often blunt at ends, cylindrical, sometimes 
single-shouldered, compact ; pedicels short, slender, 
smooth ; brush reddish, slender. Berries of medium size» 
round, dull black, covered with heavy bloom, persistent ; 
skin tough, purplish-red pigment ; flesh tough, solid, 
aromatic, tart at the skin, acid at center ; inferior in 
flavor and quality. Seeds numerous, adherent, of average 
size, dark brown. 

EARLY OHIO. V. Labrusca. Early Ohio 
is remarkable, chiefly, in being one of the 
earliest commercial grapes. The fruit re- 
sembles that of Concord, of which it is prob- 
ably a seedling. Notwithstanding many de- 
fects. Early Ohio is grown somewhat com- 
monly, although its culture is on the wane. 
The variety was found in 1882 by R. A. Hunt, 
Euclid, Ohio, between rows of Delaware and 
Concord. 

Vine weak, tender, usually unproductive. Canes short, 
slender, brown with a red tinge ; nodes enlarged, flat- 
tened ; internodes short ; tendrils continuous, short, bifid- 
Leaves intermediate in size ; lobes wanting or 1-3, 
terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus shallow, wide ; basal 
sinus usually absent ; lateral sinus shallow, narrow ; 
teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; 
stamens upright. Fruit very early, does not keep well. 
Clusters medium in size, tapering ; pedicel slender with 
a few small warts ; brush slender, tinged with red. 
Berries variable in size, round, purplish-black, glossy 
with heavy bloom, persistent, firmj skin adherent, 
astringent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, tough, aro- 
matic ; poor in quality. Seeds adherent, 1-4, notched, 
brown with yellowish -brown tips. 

EARLY VICTOR. V. Labrusca X V. cesti- 
valiii Bourquiniana. The fruits of Early Victor 
are highest in quality of early black grapes. 
They are especially pleasing to those who ob- 
ject to the foxiness so marked in the product 
of Hartford and Champion. If the season 
were but a few days earlier, and bunch and 
berry a little larger, Early Victor would be 
the best grape with which to start the season. 
The vines are hardy, healthy, vigorous, and 
productive. The bunches are small, compact, 
variable in shape, and the berries are about 
the size and shape of those of Delaware. The 
grapes ripen about the same time as those of 
Moore Early or a little later, although, like 
many black grapes, the fruit colors before it 
is ripe, and is often picked too green. Un- 
fortunately, the fruit is susceptible to black- 
rot and shrivels after ripening. John Burr, 
Leavenworth, Kansas, first grew Early Victor 
about 187L 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
long, numerous, slender, dark brown, surface pubescent ; 
nodes enlarged ; internodes long ; tendrils continuous, 
bifid, sometimes trifid. Leaves thick ; lobes 3-5, ter- 
minal one acute ; basal sinus shallow and wide when 
present ; lateral sinus narrow. Flowers semi-sterile, 
open in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit very early, 
does not keep well. Clusters small, variable in shape, 
cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, compact ; pedi- 
cel short, covered with numerous small warts ; brush 
wine-colored. Berries small, round, dark purplish-black, 
dull with heavy bloom, persistent ; skin thin, tough, 
adherent, contains much red pigment, astringent ; flesh 
greenish-white, opaque, fine-grained, aromatic, vinous ; 
good. Seeds adherent, 1-4, broad, notched, blunt, dark 
brown. 



EATON 



EMPEROR 



243 



EATON. V. Labrusca. Eaton is a pure- 
bred seedling of Concord, which it surpasses 
in appearance, but does not equal in quality 
of fruit. The flesh is tough and stringy, and, 
though sweet at the skin, is acid at the seeds, 
and has the same foxiness that characterizes 
Concord, but more juice and less richness, so 
that it is well described as a "diluted" Con- 
cord. The grape-skin is very similar to that 
of Concord, and the fruit packs, ships, and 
keeps about the same, perhaps not quite as 
well because of the greater amount of juice. 
The season is a few days earlier than that of. 
Concord. The vine is similar in all characters 
to that of its parent. The grapes ripen un- 
evenly, the flowers are self-steriie, and in some 
locations the vine is a shy bearer. The variety 
has not found favor with either grower or 
consumer. Eaton originated with Calvin 
Eaton, Concord, New Hampshire, about 1868. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
thick, light brown with blue bloom ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils continuous, long, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves large, round, thick ; lobes 3, 
terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus shallow, wide ; basal 
sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, 
often notched ; teeth shallow. Flowers semi-sterile, 
early ; stamens upright. Fruit midseason. Clusters 
large, short, broad, blunt, sometimes double-shouldered, 
compact ; pedicel long, thick, smooth ; brush slender, 
pale green. Berries large, round, black with heavj 
bloom, persistent, firm ; skin tough, adherent, purplish- 
red pigment, astringent : Itesh green, translucent, juicy, 
tough, stringy, foxy ; fair in quality. Seeds adherent, 
1-4, broad, no_ched, plump, blunt. 

ECLIPSE. Fig. 223. V. Labrusca. Eclipse 
is a seedling of Niagara, and, therefore, a de- 
scendant of Concord, which it re.sembles, dif- 
fering chiefly in 
earlier fruit which 
is of better quality. 
Unfortunately, the 
bunches and ber- 
ries are small. The 
vines are hardly 
surpassed by those 
of any other va- 
riety, being hardy, 
healthy, and pro- 
ductive, qualities 
that commend 
Eclipse for com- 
mercial vineyards. 
The ripe grapes 
hang on the vines 
for some time with- 
out deterioration, 
and do not crack 
in wet weather. 
The crop ripens 
several days earlier 
than that of Concord. Eclipse originated with 
E. A. Riehl, Alton, Illinois, from seed planted 
about 1890. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes medium in 
length, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged ; tendrils 
continuous, long, bifid. Leaves large ; lobes wanting or 
3 with terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus narrow, often 
notched ; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile, 
open in midseason ; stamens refiexed. Fruit early, keeps 
well. Clusters of medium size, broad, tapering, fre- 
quently single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, thick, 




223. Eclipse. (XVs) 



covered with small warts ; brush long, pale green. Ber- 
ries large, oval, dull black with abundant bloom, per- 
sistent, firm ; skin tender, fine-grained, foxy, sweet ; 
good. Seeds free, 1-4, short, broad, distinctly notched, 
blunt, brown. 

EDEN. V. rotundifotia X V. Munsoniana. 
Eden is of value as a general-purpose grape 
for the South, and is interesting as one of the 
few supposed hybrids with V. rotuudijolia. 
It is probably a hybrid between the species 
named and V. Munsoniana, another southern 
wild grape. The vine is exceedingly vigorous 
and productive and thrives on clay soils, 
whereas most other Rotundifolias can be grown 
successfully only on sandy lands. Eden was 
found some years ago on the premises of Dr. 
Guild, near Atlanta, Georgia. 

Vine very vigorous, productive, healthy and bearing 
a dense canopy of foliage. Canes darker in color than 
most other Rotundifolias. Leaves of medium size and 
thickness, longer than wide ; petiolar sinus wide ; mar- 
ginal teeth rounded ; leaf-tip blunt. Flowers perfect. 
Fruit early, distinct first and second crops, ripens uni- 
formly, "clusters large, loose, ttearing from five to 
twenty-five berries which adhere fairly well to the 
pedicels. Berries round, ^ inch in diameter, dull 
black, faintly specked ; skin thin, tender ; flesh soft, 
juicy, pale green, sprightly ; good in quality. 

ELVIRA. V. vulpina X V. Labrusca. Al- 
though it has never attained popularity in 
the North, Elvira, after its introduction into 
Missouri about forty years ago, reached the 
pinnacle of popularity as a wine-grape in the 
South. The qualities which commended it 
were: great productiveness; earliness; exceed- 
ingly good health and great vigor, as shown by 
a strong, stocky growth and ample foliage; and 
almost perfect hardiness even as far north 
as Canada. Its good qualities are offset by 
two defects: the grapes have thin skins which 
burst easily and thus wholly debar them from 
distant markets; and their flavor and appear- 
ance are not sufficiently good to make the 
variety a table-grape. Elvira originated with 
Jacob Rommel, Morrison, Missouri, from seed 
of Taylor. 

vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
numerous, dark brown : nodes flattened ; internodes 
short ; tendrils continuous, trifid or bifid. Leaves large, 
thin; lobes wanting or 1-3 with terminus acute; petiolar 
sinus deep, narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping ; 
basal sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus shallow, often 
notched : teeth deep, wide. Flowers self-fertile, open 
early ; stamens upright. Fruit midseason, does not 
keep well. Clusters short, cylindrical, usually single- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel smooth ; brush short, 
greenish-yellow with brown tinge. Berries medium in 
size, round, green with yellow tinge, dull with thin 
bloom, firm ; skin very thin, foxy, sweet ; fair in 
quality. Seeds free, 1-4, medium to large, blunt, plump, 
dark brown. 

EMPEROR. V. vinijera. Emperor is one 
of the standard shipping grapes of the Pacific 
slope, and one of the mainstays of the interior 
valleys. On the coast and in southern Cali- 
fornia, the vine is irregular in bearing, and 
on the coast the fruits often fail to ripen. It 
is chiefly grown in the San Joaquin Valley. 
It could hardly be expected to ripen even in 
the most favored grape regions in the East. 
The following brief description is compiled: 



244 



EMPIRE STATE 



FEHER SZAGOS 




224. Empire 
State. (X%) 



Vine strong, healthy and productive. Leaves very 
large with .') shallow' lobes ; teeth short and obtuse ; 
light' green in color, glabrous above, woolly beneath. 
Bunches very large, loose, sometimes inclined to be 
straggling, long-conical. Berries large, dull purple, 
oval ; flesh firm and crisp ; skin thick ; flavor and 
quality good. Ripens late and keeps and ships well. 

EMPIRE STATE. Fig. 224. V . vulpina X "^ 
Empire State competes with Niagara and 
Diamond for supremacy among green grapes. 
The variety is as vigorous 
in growth, as free from 
parasites, and on vines of 
the same age as produc- 
tive as those of the other 
varieties named, but the 
vines are less hardy, and 
the grapes are not so at- 
tractive in appearance. In 
particular, the clusters are 
small in some localities, a 
defect which can be over- 
come only by severe 
pruning or by thinning. 
The fruits are very good, 
approaching in flavor the 
Old World grapes; the 
slight wild taste suggests 
one of the Muscats. The 
grapes ripen early, hang 
long on the vine, and 
keep well after picking 
without losing flavor. 
Empire State originated 
with James H. Ricketts, Newburgh, New York, 
and bore fruit first in 1879. 

Vine vigorous, somewhat tender. Canes short, few, 
slender, brownish ; nodes enlarged ; internodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves small ; lobes 3-5 
when present, terminal one acuminate ; petiolar smus 
deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal sinus 
variable in depth and width ; lateral sinus deep, narrow, 
often enlarged at base; teeth deep, wide. Flowers self- 
sterile, open late ; stamens upright. Fruit midseascn, 
keeps well. Clusters large, long, slender, cylindrical, 
frequently single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender 
with small warts; brush short, light green. Berries 
medium or small, round, pale yellowish-green, covered 
with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; skin thick, adherent 
to the pulp, slightly astringent ; flesh pale yellowish- 
green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, agreeably 
flavored ; good to very good. Seeds adherent, 1-4 
small, broad, notched, short, blunt, plump, brown. 

ETTA. V. vulpina X V. Lahrusca. In ap- 
pearance, taste, and texture of fruit, Etta is 
very similar to Elvira, of which it is a seedling. 
The small, yellow clusters which characterize 
Elvira are reproduced in Etta; the fruits differ 
chiefly in having a better flavor, lacking the 
slight fo.xiness of Elvira. The vine is very 
vigorous, hardy, and productive to a fault. 
The fruit ripens with that of Catawba. The 
tendency of Elvira to crack and overbear in- 
fluenced the originator of that variety, Jacob 
Rommel, Morri-stown, Missouri, to try for a 
grape without these faults, and the result waa 
Etta from seed of Elvira. The fruit was first 
exhibited in 1879. 

Vine rigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, light to dark brown ; tendrils continuous, bifid. 
Leaves large, thick. Flowers self-sterile, early ; stamens 
upright. Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters small, short, 



broad, irregularly cylindrical, usually with a short, 
single shoulder but sometimes so heavily shouldered aa 
to form a double bunch, very compact. Berries small, 
round, pale green, dull with thin bloom, shattering 
when over-ripe, firm ; skin thin, tender ; flesh juicy, 
fine-grained, tough, stringy, slightly foxy, mild ; fair 
in quality. Seeds free, long, blunt, brown. 

EUMELAN. V. Labrusca X Washington. 
The good qualities of Eumelan are: vines 
above the average in vigor, hardiness, and pro- 
ductiveness; clusters and berries well formed, 
of good size, and handsome color; flesh tender, 
dissolving into wine-like juice under slight 
pressure; and pure flavor — rich, sweet, vinous. 
The season is early, yet the fruit keeps much 
better than that of most other grapes matur- 
ing with it, and the variety becomes, there- 
fore, a midseason and late grape. The defects 
of the variety are susceptiblity to mildew, self- 
sterile flowers, and difficulty in propagation. 
Eumelan may be recommended to amateur 
growers. It is a chance seedling which grew 
aljout 1847, in the yard of a Mr. Thorne, Fish- 
kill Landing, New York. 

vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes numerous, 
covered with bloom ; nodes enlarged ; internodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, long, trifld or bifid. Leaves large; 
lobes usually 3 with terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus 
deep, variable in width ; basal sinus usually lacking ; 
lateral sinus shallow, narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers 
self-sterile, open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit 
early, keeps until late winter. Clusters long, slender, 
tapering, often with a long, loose, single shoulder ; 
pedicel short, slender with a few small warts ; brush 
short, stubby, pale green. Berries of medium size, 
round, black, glossy with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; 
skin tough, adherent, with wine-colored pigment, astrin- 
gent ; flesh dark green, juicy, fine-grained, tender, 
stringy, spicy and aromatic, sweet ; good. Seeds ad- 
herent, 1-4, large, wide, blunt, plump, brown. 

EXTRA. V. cEstivalis Lincecumii X ? Big 
Extra. This variety is a seedling of Post- 
oak crossed by Triumph, introduced by Mun- 
son about 1890. It is of value only in the 
Southwest, since the fruits will not mature 
in northern grape regions. It is described as 
follows in the catalog of T. V. Munson & 
Son, Denison, Texas. 

"Growth strong ; clusters oblong to cylindrical, some- 
times .shouldered ; moderately compact. Berries per- 
sistent, globular, medium to large, dark purple to black, 
with moderate bloom ; skin thin, tough, never cracks ; 
pulp tender, juicy, sprightly, agreeable, sweet." 

FEHER SZAGOS. V. vmifera. This va- 
riety succeeds rather well at Geneva, New 
York, and bears fruits of excellent quality. 
The fruits have two defects, dull color of the 
berries and irregular bunches. The variety is 
worth trying in the East. Feher Szagos is said 
to make a very good raisin in California, and 
usually appears in lists of table-grapes for 
that state. 

vines vigorous, somewhat uncertain bearers. Opening 
leaves pubescent, red along the edges and a tinge of 
red on the upper surface. Flowers have upright stamens. 
Fruit usually ripens the first week in October and does 
not keep well in storage. Clusters large to medium, 
broad, loose, frequently irregular because of poor set- 
ting of fruit ; berries large, oval to elliptical, rather 
dull green, with thin bloom ; skin thick, tender, neutral ; 
flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, meaty, tender, sweet J 
quality of the best. Seeds free. 



FERN MUNSON 



GOLD COIN 



245 



FERN MUNSON. V. cestivalis Lince- 
cumii X Admirable. Fern. Hilgarde. Fern 
Munson is a southern grape not adapted to 
northern regions, 40 degrees north latitude 
being its limit of adaptation. The fruits show 
some very good characters, as attractive ap- 
pearance, agreeable quality, and unobjection- 
able seeds and skin. The vines are vigorous 
and productive, but the foliage is not healthy, 
although very abundant. This variety origm- 
ated with T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, from 
seed planted in 1885. 

Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy. Canes long, nu- 
merous, thick, dark brown with a faint red tinge ; 
tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves large, thick. Flow- 
ers semi-fertile, open very late ; stamens upright. Fruit 
late, keeps well. Clusters large, irregularly tapering, 
usually single-shouldered, often with many abortive 
fruits. Berries large, round, slightly ^ittened. dark 
purplish-black, glossy, covered with thin »loom, strongly 
persistent, firm ; skin thin, tough, ,')itringent : tlesh 
juicy, tough, firm, fine-grained, vinous, briskly subacid ; 
good. Seeds adlierent, t)road. 

FLAME TOKAY. V. yinijera. This is 
the leading shipping grape jf the Pacific slope, 
where it is everywhere grown under the name 
"Tokay," with several modifying terms, as 
"Flame", "Flame-colored", and "Flaming". 
The fruit is not especially high in quality nor 
attractive in appearance, but it ships and keeps 
well, qualities making the variety popular in 
commercial vineyards. The description is 
compiled. 

Vine very vigorous, luxuriant in growth of canes, 
shoots and leaves dark green with a brown tinge ; 
lightly lobed. Bunches very large, sometimes weighing 
8 or 9 pounds, moderately compact ; shouldered. Ber- 
ries large, oblong, red when mature, covered with lilac 
bloom ; flesh firm, crisp, sweet ; quality good. Season 
late, keeps and ships well. 

FLOWERS. V. roiundifolia. Flowers is 
noted for its vigorous and productive vines, 
its large fruit-clusters, and dark-colored grapes 
that cling in the cluster unusually well for a 
variety of this species. The crop is late, ripen- 
ing in North Carolina in October and No- 
vember. The fruit is valuable only for wine 
and grape-juice, and has little to recommend 
it for dessert purposes. Flowers was found 
in a swamp near Lamberton, North Carolina, 
more than a hundred years ago, by William 
Flowers. Improved Flowers, probably a seed- 
ling of Flowers, was found near Whiteville, 
North Carolina, about 1869. It differs from its 
supposed parent in having a more vigorous and 
productive vine and larger clusters, the berries 
of which cling even more tenaciously. 

vine vigorous, healthy, upright, open, very produc- 
tive. Canes long, slender, numerous. Leaves variable 
but average medium in size, longer than broad, pointed, 
cordate, thick, dark green, smooth, leathery ; margins 
sharply serrate ; flowers perfect. Fruit very late, keeps 
well. Clusters large, consisting of 10-2.') berries. Ber- 
ries large, round-olilong, purple or purplish-black, cling- 
ing well to the cluster-stem ; skin thick, tough, faintly 
marked with dots ; pulp white, lacking in juice, hard, 
sweetish, austere in flavor ; poor for a table-grape but 
excellent for grape-juice. 

GAERTNER. V. vinifera X V. Labrusca. 
The berries and clusters of Gaertner are large 
and handsomely colored, making a very showy 



fruit. The plant is vigorous, productive, and 
as hardy as any of the hybrids between Lab- 
rusca and Vinifera. In view of these qualities, 
Gaertner has not received the attention it 
deserves, probably because it is more capricious 
as to soils than some others of its related 
hybrids. As a market grape, the fruits have 
the faults of ripening unevenly and of ship- 
ping poorly, but they keep well, and this 
quality, with the desirable ones noted, make 
Gaertner excellent for the home vineyard, 
Gaertner is often compared with Massasoit; 
the two varieties are similar in fruit-characters, 
but the fruits of Gaertner are of distinctly bet- 
ter quality. The variety originated with E. S. 
Rogers, Salem, Massachusetts. It was first 
mentioned about 1865. 

Vine vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, pro- 
ductive. Canes long, dark reddish-brown, surface cov- 
ered with thin bloom ; tendrils continuous, bifid or 
trifid. Leaves medium in size, round. Flowers self- 
sterile, open late ; stamens retlexed. Fruit midseason, 
matures unevenly, keeps only fairly well. Clusters me- 
dium in size, short, cylindrical, usually with a single 
shoulder but sometimes double-shouldered, loose with 
many abortive fruits. Berries large, round-oval, light 
to dark red, glossy, covered with bloom, persistent ; skin 
thin, tender ; flesh pale green, juicy, fine-grained, tough, 
stringy, agreeably vinous ; good to very good. Seeds 
free, large, broad, distinctly notched, brown. 

GOETHE. V. vinifera X V. Labrusca. Of 
all Rogers' hybrids, Goethe shows Vinifera 
characters most ; the fruits resemble in ap- 
pearance those of the White Malaga of Eu- 
rope, and do not fall far short of the best 
Old World grapes in quality. But the variety 
is difficult to grow, especially where the sea- 
sons are not long enough for full maturity. 
The vine is vigorous to a fault; it is fairly 
immune to mildew, rot, and other diseases; 
and, where it succeeds, bears so freely that 
thinning becomes a necessity. In addition to 
high quality, which makes the fruits excellent 
table-grapes, they keep well. Goethe was first 
mentioned in 1858. 

Vine vigorous, hardy. Canes short, dark brown ; 
nodes enlarged, flattened ; internodes sliort ; tendrils 
continuous or intermittent, long, bifid to trifid. Leaves 
irregularly round, thin ; leaf usually not lobed. terminus 
broadly acute ; petiolar sinus narrow, closed and over- 
lapping ; basal sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus 
shallow, often a notch ; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers 
partly self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens upright. 
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters short, broad, tapering, 
frequently single-shouldered, usually 2 bunches to shoot ; 
pedicel long, thick with numerous conspicuous warts ; 
brush long, slender, yellowish-brown. Berries very 
large, oval, pale red covered with thin bloom, per- 
sistent : skin thin, tender, adherent, faintly astringent ; 
flesh pale green, translucent, tender, with Vinifera flavor ; 
very good. Seeds adiierent, 1-3, large, long, notched, 
blunt, brown. 

GOLD COIN. V. aistivalis X V. Labrusca. 
In the South, where alone it thrives. Gold 
Coin produces a handsome market-grape of 
very good quality. The vines are productive 
and are unusually free from attacks of fungal 
diseases. The variety originated with T. V. 
Munson, Denison, Texas, and was introduced 
in 1894. 

vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes slender, 
numerous ; tendrils continuous, sometimes intermittent, 
trifid or bifid. Leaves medium in size. Flowers self- 



246 



GREIN GOLDEN 



HEADLIGHT 



fertile ; stamens upright. Fruit late midseason, keeps 
long. Clusters medium to small, usually single- 
shouldered. Berries large, round-oval, yellowish-green 
with a distinct trace of reddish-amber, with thin bloom, 
usually persistent ; skin covered with small, scattering 
brown dots, thin, tough ; flesh faintly aromatic, tart 
from skin to center ; good. Seeds free, numerous, me- 
dium in size. 

GREIN GOLDEN. V. vulpina X V. La- 
brusca. Grein Golden is very similar to 
Riesling, but the vine is much stronger in 
growth. Both cluster and berry are large 
and uniform, qualities which, with the at- 
tractive color of the berries, make it a most 
handsome fruit. The flavor, however, is not 
at all pleasing, being an unusual commingling 
of sweetness and acidity very disagreeable to 
most palates. The quality of the fruit con- 
demns it for table use, although it is said 
to make a very good white wine. Nicholas 
Grein, Hermann, Missouri, first grew Grein 
Golden about 1875. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, nu- 
merous, slender, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes long ; tendrils intermittent, trifid 
or bifid. Leaves large, thick ; lightly pubescent ; lobes 
lacking or 1-3 with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, 
narrow ; basal sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus 
shallow, wide, obscure ; teeth deep. Flowers self-sterile, 
open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit midseason. 
Clusters large, long, broad, tapering, irregular, often 
heavily single-shouldered, loose ; pedicel with a few 
inconspicuous warts ; brush slender, pale green. Berries 
uniform in size, large, round, golden yellow, glossy with 
thin bloom, persistent ; skin very thin, tender ; flesh 
green, translucent, very juicy, tender, vinous ; good. 
Seeds free, 1-4, broad, plump, light brown. 

GROS COLMAN. V. vinijera. Dodrelabi. 
Gros Colman has the reputation of producing 
the handsomest black table-grape grown. It 
is one of the favorite hot-house varieties in 
England and eastern America, and is com- 
monly grown out-of-doors in California. The 
variety is remarkable for large berries, borne 
in immense bunches, and for the long-keeping 
qualities of the fruits, although the tender 
skins sometimes crack. The following descrip- 
tion is compiled: 

Vine vigorous, healthy and productive ; wood dark 
brown. Leaves very large, round, thick, but slightly 
lobed ; teeth short "and blunt ; glabrous above, woolly 
below. Bunches very large, short, well filled but rather 
loose ; berries very large, round, dark blue ; skin thick 
but tender ; flesh firm, crisp, sweet and good ; quality 
not of the highest. Season late and the fruits keep long. 

HARTFORD. V. Labrusca. The vine of 
Hartford may be well characterized by its 
good qualities, but the fruit is best described 
by its faults, because of which the variety is 
passing out of cultivation. The plants are 
vigorous, prolific, and healthy; and the fruit 
is borne early in the season. The canes are 
remarkable for their stoutness and for the 
crooks at the joints. The bunches are not 
unattractive, but the quality of the fruit is 
low, the flesh being pulpy and the flavor in- 
sipid and foxy. The berries shell badly on the 
vine and when packed for shipping, so that 
the fruit does not ship, pack, or keep well. 
The grapes color long before ripe, and the 
flowers are only partly self-fertile, so that the 
clusters are loose and straggling. The original 



vine of Hartford was a chance seedling in the 
garden of Paphro Steele, West Hartford, Con- 
necticut. It fruited first in 1849. 

vines vigorous, very productive. Canes long, dark 
brown, covered with pubescence ; nodes enlarged, flat- 
tened : internodes short ; tendrils continuous, long, bifid. 
Leaves large, thick ; lobes variable ; petiolar sinus deep, 
narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers partly self-fertile, open 
in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit early. Clusters 
medium in size, long, slender, tapering, irregular, often 
with a long, large, single shoulder, loose ; pedicel short 
with a few small warts ; brush greenish. Berries me- 
dium in size, round-ovai. black, covered with bloom, 
drop badly ; skin thick, tough, adherent, contains much 
purplish-red pigment, astringent ; flesh green, trans- 
lucent, juicy, firm, stringy, foxy ; poor in quality. Seeds 
free, 1-4, broad, dark brown. 

HAYES. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. In 
1880 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 
awarded a certificate of merit to Hayes for 
high quality in fruit. This brought the variety 
prominently before grape-growers, and for a 
time it was popular, but when better known 
several defects became apparent. The vine is 
hardy and vigorous, but the growth is slow, 
and it is a shy bearer. Both bunches and 
berries are small, and the crop ripens at a 
time, a week or ten days earlier than Con- 
cord, when there are many other good green 
grapes. Excellent though the fruits are in 
quality, the variety is hardly worth a place 
in any vineyard. John B. Moore, Concord, 
Massachusetts, is the originator of Hayes. It 
was first fruited in 1872. 

Vine variable in vigor and productiveness, hardy and 
healthy. Canes numerous, slender ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils intermittent, l>ifid 
or trifid. Leaves uniform in size ; lobes 1-3 ; teeth 
shallow, small. Flowers almost self-sterile, open me- 
dium late ; stamens upright. Fruit early, keeps well. 
Clusters variable in size and length, often single- 
shouldered : pedicel long, slender ; brush small, pale 
green. Berries medium in size, round, greenish-yellow, 
covered with thin bloom, persistent ; skin thin, tender 
witli a few small reddish-brown dots ; flesh fine-grained, 
tender, vinous, sweet at the skin, agreeably tart at 
center, mild ; good. Seeds few, of average size, short, 
plump, brown. 

HEADLIGHT. V. Labrusca X ? Headlight 
is more desirable for southern than for north- 
ern vineyards, yet it is worthy of trial in the 
North. Its meritorious characters are: pro- 
ductiveness, outyielding Delaware, with which 
it competes ; disease-resistant foliage and 
vines; more than average vigor of vine; high 
quality, the grapes almost equaling those of 
Delaware in flavor, and having tender, melting 
pulp which readily parts from the seeds; and 
earliness, the crop ripening before that of Dela- 
ware and hanging on the vines or keeping after 
being picked for some time without deteriora- 
tion. The originator of Headlight, T. V. 
Munson, states that the seed was planted in 
1895. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes short, 
few in number, slender, reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged ; 
internodes short ; tendrils continuous, short, bifid, very 
persistent. Leaves small, thick ; lobes 1-3 with ter- 
minus obtuse ; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and 
width ; basal sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus shal- 
low, narrow ; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open 
in midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit early, keeps 
well. Clusters small, short, tapering, frequently single- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, slender, covered 



HERBEMONT 



HOPKINS 



247 



with a few small warts ; brush yellowish-brown. Ber- 
ries small, round, dark red with thin bloom, persistent, 
firm ; skin tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh green, 
translucent, very juicy, tender, fine-grained, vinous, 
sweet ; very good. Seeds free, 1-3, small, light brown. 

HERBEMONT. V. w^tivalis Bourquinv- 
ana. Dunn. Hunt. McKec. Ncal. Warren. 
Warretiton. In the South, Herbemont holds the 
rank held by Concord in the North, The vine 
is fastidious, requiring a well-dmined warm 
soil, and one which is abundantly supplied with 
humus. Despite these limitations, this variety 
is grown in an immense territory, extending 
from Virginia and Tennessee to the Gulf and 
westward through Texas. The vine is remark- 
ably vigorous, being hardly surpassed in this 
character by any of our native grapes. The 
fruits are attractive because of the large bunch 
and the glossy black of the small berries, and 
are borne abundantly and with certainty in 
suitable localities. The flesh characters of the 
fruit are good for a small grape, neither flesh, 
skin, nor seeds being objectionable in eating; 
the pulp is tender, juicy, rich, sweet, and 
highly flavored. The ample, lustrous green 
foliage makes this variety one of the attrac- 
tive ornamental plants of the South. Herbe- 
mont was in cultivation in Georgia before the 
Revolutionary War. In the early part of the 
last century, it came to the hands of Nicholas 
HerbcTiont, Columbia, South Carolina, whose 
name it eventually took. 

Vine very vigorous. Canes long, strong, bright green, 
with more or less purple and heavy bloom ; internodes 
short ; tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves 
large, round, entire or 3-7-lobed, nearly glabrous 
above and below. Flowers self-fertile. Fruit very late. 
Clusters large, long, tapering, prominently shouldered, 
compact ; pedicels short with a few large warts ; brush 
pink. Berries round, small, uniform, reddish-black or 
brown with abundant bloom ; skin thin, tough ; flesh 
tender, juicy ; juice colorless or slightly pink, sweet, 
sprightly. Seeds 2-4, small, reddish-brown, glossy. 

HERBERT. 

Fig. 225. V. La- 
brusca X V. vinijera. 
In all that consti- 
tutes a fine table- 
grape, the fruits of 
Herbert are as near 
perfection as those 
of any other Amer- 
ican variety. For 
a Vinifera-Labrusca 
hybrid, the vine 
is vigorous, hardy, 
and fruitful, rank- 
ing in these re- 
spects above that 
of many pure-bred 
Labruscas, While 
the fruit ripens 
with that of Con- 
cord, it keeps much 
later and packs and 
ships better. The 
variety is self-sterile and must be set near 
other varieties. Herbert is deserving attentipn 
from commercial growers who supply a dis- 
criminating market, and its many good quali- 




225. Herbert. (X%) 



ties give it high place as a garden grape. The 
variety is one of Rogers' hybrids, named Her- 
bert in 1869. 

Vine very vigorous, productive. Canes long, numer- 
ous, thick, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; 
iiiternodes long ; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid or 
trifid. Leaves large, round ; leaf entire, terminus 
obtuse ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, closed, overlapping ; 
basal and lateral sinuses lacking ; teeth shallow. Flow- 
ers self-sterile, open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. 
Fruit midseason, keeps well. Clusters large, broad, 
tapering, 2-3 clusters per shoot, heavily single- 
shouldered, loose ; pedicel thick with small russet warts ; 
brush yellowish-green. Berries large, round-oval, flat- 
tened, dull black, covered with thick bloom, persistent, 
firm ; .skin thick, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh 
light green, translucent, juicy, tender, fine-grained ; 
very good. Seeds adlierent, 3-6, large, broad, notched, 
long with swollen neck, blunt, brown with yellow tips. 

HERCULES. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. 
Hercules is characterized by very large berries, 
which are handsomely colored, and large, well- 
formed clusters. The flavor, while not of the 
best, is good. In addition to the desirable 
qualities of the fruit, the vines are hardy, 
vigorous, and productive. These good char- 
acters, however, cannot make up for the sev- 
eral defects of the variety. The grapes drop 
and crack badly, and the pulp is tough and 
adheres too firmly to the seed for a dessert 
grape, so that the variety is worthless except 
for breeding purposes. Hercules was intro- 
duced by G. A. Ensenberger, Bloomington, 
Illinois, about 1890. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes 
long, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; 
internodes long ; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves 
large ; lobes 1-3, terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, 
narrow ; basal sinus usually absent ; lateral sinus shal- 
low ; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid- 
season ; stamens reflexed. Fruit midseason, keeps well. 
Clusters very large, broad, tapering, 1-3 clusters per 
shoot, compact; brush pale green. Berries very large, 
round, black, glossy with heavy bloom, firm ; skin 
adherent, astringent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, 
very tough, coarse, stringy, foxy; fair in quality. Seeds 
adherent, 1-5, large, broad, deeply notched, blunt, brown. 

HICKS. V. Labrusca. Hicks is a remark- 
ably good grape, and, but for the fact that the 
fruit is almost identical with that of Concord, 
ripening with it or a little earlier, the variety 
would have a place in the viticulture of the 
country. However, since it was introduced 
some years ago and has not found great favor 
with growers, it seems that Hicks cannot make 
headway against Concord, with which it must 
compete. In many localities the vines are 
more prolific than those of Concord and of 
stronger growth. Hicks was introduced in 
1898 by Henry Wallis, Wellston, Missouri. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes 
medium to long, numerous, reddish-brown, covered with 
thin bloom ; tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves 
large, thick. Flowers self-fertile, open early ; stamens 
upright. Fruit midseason, keeps well. Clusters large, 
long, broad, tapering, often single-shouldered. Berries 
large, round, purplish-black with heavy bloom, shatter 
when over-ripe, firm ; skin tender with dark wine-colored 
pigment ; flesh green, juicy, tough, fine-grained, faintly 
foxy ; good. Seeds adherent, large, short, broad, blunt, 
brown. 

HOPKINS. V. TotundijoUa. Hopkins is 
named by grape-growers in the South Atlantic 



248 



lONA 



IVES 



states as one of the good early Rotundifolia 
grapes. Its season in North Carolina begins 
early in August, nearly a month before that 
of any other. Its fruits are among the best 
in quality, and for quality and earliness the 
variety should be planted in home vineyards 
in the region in which it grows. Hopkins was 
found near Wilmington, North Carolina, about 
1845, by John Hopkins. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, 
slender, upright. Leaves of medium size, variable, 
cordate, longer than broad, thick, leathery, smooth, dark 
green ; margin sharply serrate. Flowers self-fertile. 
Fruit very early. Clusters large, containing from 4-10 
berries. Berries large, dark purple or almost black, 
round-oblong, shelling badly ; skin thick, tough, faintly 
marked with dots ; pulp white, tender, juicy with a 
sweet, pleasant flavor. 

lONA. Fig. 226. V. Labrusca X V. vini- 
jera. In flavor, the fruit of lona has a rare 
combination of sweetness and acidity — pure, 
delicate, and vinous. The flesh is transparent, 
melting, tender, 
juicy, and of uni- 
form consistency 
quite to the center. 
The seeds are few 
and small and part 
readily from the 
flesh. The color is 
a peculiar dark-red 
wine with a tint 
of amethj'st. The 
bunch is large but 
loose, with berries 
varying in size and 
ripening unevenly. 
The fruit may be 
kept until late win- 
ter. The vine-char- 
acters of lona are 
not so good as 
those of the fruit. 
To do well, the vine 
must have a soil 
exactly suited to its wants, and seems to thrive 
best in deep, dry, sandy, or gravelly clays. lona 
responds especially w^ell when trained against 
walls or buildings, the fruits attaining rare per- 
fection under such conditions. The vines are 
doubtfully hardy, and in many parts of the 
North must have winter protection; they are 
not vigorous and aie inclined to overbear, to' 
remedy which they must have close pruning. 
In localities in which mildew and rot thrive, 
the variety is badly attacked by these dis- 
eases, lona origmated with C. W. Grant, 
lona Island, New York, from seed planted in 
1885. 

Vine weak, doubtfully hardy, unproductive. Canes 
short, light lirown ; nodes enlarged ; intemodes short ; 
tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves thick; lobes 3-5 
with terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus of medium 
depth and width ; basal sinus shallow ; lateral sinus 
shallow, wide ; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open 
late : stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters 
medium in size, sometimes double-shouldered, slender, 
tapering, loose ; brush pale green. Berries uniform, 
oval, round, dull, light and dark red with thin bloom, 
persistent, firm ; skin tough, adherent, slightly astrin- 
gent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender. 



melting, vinous ; very 
broad, plump, brown. 



Seeds free, 1-4, small. 




226. lona. (X%) 



ISABELLA. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. 
Alexander. Black Cape. Constantia. Dor- 
chester. Woodward. Isabella is of historical 
interest, since it was one of the mainstays of 
early American viticulture. In appearance, 
the fruit of Isabella is fully as attractive as any 
black grape, the clusters being large and well 
formed and the berries glossy black with 
thick bloom. The flavor is good, but the skin 
and the muskiness in taste are objectionable. 
The grapes keep and ship well. Isabella is sur- 
passed in vine-characters by many other kinds, 
notably Concord, which has taken its place. 
The lustrous green, ample foliage, which re- 
mains late in the season, and the vigor of the 
vine, make this variety an attractive orna- 
mental, well adapted for growing on arbors, 
porches, and trellises. The origm of Isabella 
is not known. It was obtained by William 
Prince, Flushing, Long Island, about 1816, 
from Mrs. Isabella Gibbs, Brooklyn, New 
York. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes short, nu- 
merous, with heavy pubescence, thick, light brown ; 
nodes enlarged, flattened ; internodes short ; tendrila 
continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves thick ; lobes 
3 when present with terminal lobe obtuse ; petiolar 
sinus shallow, narrow, often closed, overlapping ; basal 
sinus usually wanting ; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, 
frequently notched ; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers self- 
fertile. open in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit 
late, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, cylindrical, 
frequently single-shouldered ; pedicel slender, smooth ; 
brush long, yellowish-green. Berries medium to large, 
oval, black with heavy bloom, persistent, soft ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh pale green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, meaty, some 
foxiness, sweet ; good. Seeds 1-3, large, broad, dis- 
tinctly notched, short, brown with yellow tips, 

ISABELLA SEEDLING. V. LabruscaX 
V . vinijera. Isabella Seedling is an early, vig- 
orous, productive offspring of Isabella. In 
fruit-characters it greatly resembles its parent, 
but it ripens its crop earlier and has a more 
compact bunch. Like that of its parent, the 
fruit is of good quality and keeps remarkably 
well. This seedling is now grown more than 
Isabella, and is far more deserving attention 
as a market-grape than some of the poorly 
flavored kinds more generally grown. There 
are several varieties under this name. Two 
are mentioned by Warder; one of Ohio and 
one of New York origin. The Isabella Seed- 
ling here described originated with G. A. 
Ensenberger, Bloomington, Illinois, in 1889. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive. Canea 
long, thick, daric brown, often with a red tinge, with 
thin bloom ; nodes prominent, flattened ; intemodes 
long ; tendrils intermittent or continuous, bifid. Leaves 
healthy, large, thick. Flowers self-fertile ; stamens 
upright. Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters large, long, 
slender, cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, loose, 
compact. Berries large, oval, often pear-shaped, dull 
black with thick bloom, persistent, soft ; skin thick with 
some red pigment ; flesh pale green, juicy, tender, coarse, 
vinous ; good. Seeds numerous, free, large, broad, 
notched, dark brown. 

IVES. V. Labrusca X V. aestivalis. Kit- 
trcdge. Ives has a high reputation as a grape 



JAMES 



JESSICA 



249 



for making red wine and grape-juice, being 
surpassed only by Norton for this purpose. 
The vine is hardy, healthy, vigorous, and fruit- 
ful. The fruit is poor in quality, colors long be- 
fore ripe, has a foxy odor, and the flesh is tough 
and pulpy. The bunches are coiiipiict. with 
well-formed, jet-black grapes, which make them 
attractive. The vine is easily propagated, and 
is adapted to any good grape soil, but is so 
rampant in gro\rth that it is difficult to man- 
age. The variety is not widely cultivated. 
Ives was grown by Henry Ives from seed 
planted in 1840 in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healtliy, productive. Canes 
long, thick, reddish-brown with thin bloom ; nodes en- 
larged, flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils continuous, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves large ; lobes 3-5 when present 
with terminal one acute ; petiolar sinus shallow ; lateral 
sinus narrow ; teeth shallow. Fruit late midseason, 
keeps well. Clusters large, tapering, frequently single- 
shouldered, compact, often witli numerous abortive ber- 
ries ; pedicel slender with numerous small warts ; brush 
Bhort, slender, pale with a reddish-brown tinge. Berries 
oval, jet-black with heavy bloom, very persistent, firm ; 
skin tough, adherent, wine-colored pigment, astringent ; 
flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tough, 
fo.xy ; good. Seeds adherent. 1-4. small, often abortive, 
broad, short, blunt, plump, brown. 

JAMES. V. rotundijoUa. James is prob- 
ably the best general-purpose variety of its 
species. The vine is noted for vigor and pro- 
ductiveness, and the fruits are large, well 
flavored, hang on the vines long after ripen- 
ing, and keep well after harvesting. James 
cannot be grown north of Maryland, and 
thrives only in sandy loam soils with clay 
subsoil. The variety was found by B. W. M. 
James, Pitt County, North Carolina. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, productive. Canes slender, 
numerous, long, slightly trailing. Leaves of medium 
size, thick, smooth, leathery, cordate, as broad as long, 
with a serrate margin. Flowers open late ; stamens 
reflexed. Fruit ripens late, hangs on the vine for 3 
weeks, keeps welL Clus ers small, containing from 
4 to 12 berries, irregular, loose. Berries large, % to % 
inch in diameter, round, blue-black, marked with specks; 
skin tnick, tough ; pulp juicy ; sweet ; good in quality. 

JANESVILLE. Fig. 
227. V. Labrusca X V. 
vulpina. Endowed with 
a constitution enabling it 
to withstand cold to 
which most other grapes 
succumb, Janesville has 
made a place for itself in 
far northern localities. 
Moreover, the grapes 
ripen early, being about 
the first to color, although 
they are not ripe until 
some time after coloring. 
The vine also is healthy, 
vigorous, and productive. 
The fruit, however, is worthless where better 
sorts can be grown. The clusters and berries 
are small, the grapes are pulpy, tough, seedy, 
have a thick skin and a disagreeable acid taste. 
Janesville was grown by F. W. Loudon, Janes- 
ville, Wisconsin, from chance seed planted in 
1858. 




227. Janesville. 
(X%) 



Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
spiny, numerous, dark brown ; nodes flattened ; inter- 
nodes long ; tendrils intermittent or continuous, long, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves small, thin ; leaf usually not 
lobed with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus narrow, often 
closed and overlapping ; basal and lateral sinuses lack- 
ing ; teeth shallow. Flowers self- fertile, open very 
early ; stamens upright. Fruit early, keeps well. Clus- 
ters small, short, cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, 
compact ; pedicel short, slender, covered with small, 
scattering warts ; brush dark wine color. Berries round, 
dull black with heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent, with dark wine-colored pigment, 
astringent ; flesh pale reddish-green, translucent, juicy, 
tough, coarse, vinous, acid ; fair in quality. Seeds 
adherent, 1-6, large, broad, angular, blunt, dark brown. 

JEFFERSON. F. Labrusca X V. vinifera. 
Jefferson resembles Concord in vigor, produc- 
tiveness, and healthiness of vine, and lona in 
color and quality of fruit. The vine produces 
its fruit two weeks later than Concord and 
is not so hardy, faults that debar it from taking 
high rank as a commercial grape. The bunches 
of Jefferson are large, well-formed, compact, 
with berries of uniform size and color. The 
flesh is firm yet tender, juicy, with a rich, 
vinous flavor and a delicate aroma which per- 
sists even after the berries have dried into 
raisins. The fruit ships and keeps well, the 
berries adhering to the cluster, and retains its 
freshness into late winter. Jefferson is widely 
distributed and is well known by viticulturists 
in eastern America. It is not particular as to 
localities, if the season be long and the climate 
temperate, and thrives in all soils. The variety 
originated with J. H. Ricketts, Newburgh, New 
York; it first fruited in 1874. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, doubtfully hardy, productive. 
Canes short, numerous, light to dark brown ; nodes en- 
larged, round ; internodes short ; tendrils intermittent, 
short, bifid or trifid. Leaves healthy ; leaf usually not 
lobed with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus narrow, some- 
times closed and overlapping ; basal sinus usually ab- 
sent ; lateral sinus shallow, often a mere notch ; teeth 
regular, shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open late ; 
stamens upright. Fruit late, keeps and ships well. 
Clusters large, cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, 
sometimes double-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, 
slender with a few inconspicuous warts ; brush long, 
slender, pale yellowish-green. Berries medium in size, 
oval, light and dark red, glossy with thin bloom, per- 
sistent, very firm ; skin thick, tough, free, slightly 
astringent ; flesh light green, translucent, juicy, coarse- 
grained, tender, vinous ; good to best. Seeds free, 1-4, 
broad, short, blunt, plump, brown. 

JESSICA. V. Labrusca X V. vinifera. 
Jessica is an early, hardy, green grape. The 
fruit is sweet, rich, sprightly, and almost free 
from foxiness, but is unattractive and does 
not keep well. The clusters and berries are 
small, and the clu.sters are too loose for a 
good grape. Jessica may be commended for 
earliness and hardiness and is, therefore, de- 
sirable, if at all, in northern regions. William 
H. Read, Port Dalhousie, Ontario, grew Jessica 
from seed planted some time between 1870 
and 1880. 

Vine medium in vigor, healthy, hardy, productive. 
Canes long, thick, dark brown with red tinge ; nodes 
enlarged, flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils contin- 
uous or intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves small ; 
lobes 3 : petiolar sinus narrow ; teeth shallow, narrow. 
Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens upright. 
Fruit very early. Clusters small, slender, tapering, 
usually single-shouldered. Berries small, round, light 
green, often tinged with yellow, covered with thin bloom. 



250 



JEWEL 



LENOIR 



persistent, soft ; skin thin, adherent, faintly astringent ; 
flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, tender, soft, sprightly, 
sweet ; good. Seeds adherent, medium to broad, notched, 
brown. 

JEWEL. V. CBstivalis Bourquiniana X ? 
The notable characters of Jewel are earliness 
and high quality in fruit; also, as corn- 
pared with Delaware, its parent, the vine is 
vigorous, healthy, and hardy. In form and 
size of bunch and berry, Jewel closely re- 
sembles Delaware, but the grapes are deep 
black in color. The flesh characters and flavor 
of the fruit are much like those of Delaware, 
the pulp being tender yet firm, and the flavor 
having the same rich, sprightly, vinous taste. 
The seeds are few and small. The skin is 
thin but tough, and the grapes ship well, keep 
long, do not shell, and though early, hang 
until frost. Jewel is a most excellent grape, 
worthy the place among black grapes that 
Delaware has among red varieties. In par- 
ticular, it is recommended for earliness and 
for localities in the North where standard 
varieties do not ripen. John Burr, Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, grew Jewel from seed planted 
about 1874. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive. Canes 
slender, light reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; 
internodes short ; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves 
scant, thick ; lobes 3 when present with terminus acute ; 
petiolar sinus narrow ; basal sinus usually lacking ; 
lateral sinus shallow, wide; teeth shallow.. Flowers 
self-sterile, open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit 
early. Clusters small, slender, cylindrical, single- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, slender ; brush 
short, wine-colored. Berries medium in size, round, 
dark purplish-black, dull with heavy bloom, persistent, 
firm ; skin thin, tough, adherent, wine-colored pigment ; 
flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, 
sprightly, vinous, sweet ; very good. Seeds adherent, 
1-4, frequently one-sided, blunt, light brown. 

KENSINGTON. V. vinijera X V. vulpina. 
Kensington has several very meritorious fruit- 
and vine-characters. The vine resembles that 
of Clinton, its Vulpina parent, in vigor, hardi- 
ness, growth, and productiveness, but the fruit 
has many of the characters of the European 
parent, Buckland Sweetwater. The grapes are 
yellowish-green, large, oval, and borne in 
loose clusters of medium size. In quality the 
fruit of Kensington is not equal to that of 
Buckland Sweetwater, but is much better than 
that of Clinton. The flesh is tender and juicy, 
with a rich, sweet, vinous flavor. The hardiness 
of the vine and the high quality of the fruit 
should make Kensington a favorite green grape 
in northern gardens. This variety was grown 
by William Saunders, London, Ontario, between 
1870 and 1880. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, slender, 
light brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; internodes short ; 
tendrils persistent, intermittent or continuous, long, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves thin ; lobes wanting or 1-3 with 
terminus obtuse ; petiolar sinus narrow ; basal sinus 
shallow when present ; lateral sinus shallow, usually a 
notch ; teeth deep and wide. Flowers self-fertile, open 
early, stamens upright. Fruit midseason. Clusters 
large, cylindrical, often heavily single-shouldered, loose, 
frequently with many undeveloped berries ; pedicel long 
and slender with small, inconspicuous warts ; brush 
short, pale green. Berries variable in size, oval, 
yellowish-green, glossy with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; 
skin thin, tough, adherent, faintly astringent ; flesh 



green, transparent, juicy, tender, vinous, sweet ; good. 
Seeds free, 2-4, wrinkled, large, long, broad, sharp- 
pointed, yellowish-brown. 

KING. V. Labrusca. King is similar to 
Concord, with vine more vigorous and pro- 
lific; time of ripening and length of season 
the same; the clusters one-fourth larger; the 
grapes more persistent; the pulp more tender; 
the flavor nearly the same but more sprightly; 
the seeds fewer in number; the wood harder 
and of shorter joints; and the pedicels longer. 
King was found in the Concord vineyard of 
W. K. Munson, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 
1892. The vine was set for Concord and is 
supposed to be a sport of that variety. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes large, dark 
reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, slightly flattened ; inter- 
nodes short ; tendrils continuous or intermittent, trifid 
or bifid. Leaves unusually large, thick ; lobes 3 when 
present, terminal one acute ; teeth shallow, narrow. 
Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit midseason, keeps well. Clusters large, 
long, broad, irregularly tapering, usually single- 
shouldered, compact. Berries large, round, black with 
thin bloom, persistent, firm ; skin thick, tough, adherent, 
astringent ; flesh pale green, very juicy, tough, stringy 
and with some foxiness ; good. Seeds adherent, few, 
large, short, broad, lightly notched it at all, blunt, 
plump, light brown. 

LADY. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. The 
vine of Lady is much like that of Concord, 
its parent, although not quite so vigorous nor 
productive, but ripens its fruit fully two weeks 
eai-lier. The fruit is much superior in quality 
to that of Concord, being richer, sweeter, and 
less foxy. The grapes hang on the vines well, 
but deteriorate rapidly after picking. The 
foliage is dense and of a deep glossy green, 
neither scalding under a hot sun nor freezing 
until heavy frosts, and makes it an attrac- 
tive ornament in the garden. Lady is de- 
servedly popular as a grape for the amateur, 
and should be planted for nearby markets. 
It succeeds wherever Concord is grown, and 
because of its early ripening, is especially 
adapted to northern latitudes where Concord 
does not always mature. Although the fruit 
ripens early, the buds start late, often escap- 
ing late spring frosts. When Lady was first 
heard of, it was in the hands of a Mr. Imlay, 
Muskingum County, Ohio, about 1874. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, medium in productiveness, 
healthy. Canes short, slender, dark reddish-brown ; 
nodes flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils intermittent, 
bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in size ; lobes 1-5 with 
terminal one acuminate ; petiolar sinus shallow, wide ; 
lateral sinus variable in depth and width ; teeth shallow. 
Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens upright. 
Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters small, short, 
slender, cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, com- 
pact ; pedicel thick, smooth ; brush slender, long, 
greenish-white. Berries large, round, light green, often 
with a tinge of yellow, glossy with thin bloom, per- 
sistent, firm ; skin covered with small, scattering, dark 
dots, thin, tender, adherent, astringent ; flesh greenish- 
white, translucent, juicy, tender, aromatic ; very good. 
Seeds free, few, broad, light brown. 

LENOIR. V. cEstivalis Bourquiniana. Ala- 
bama. Black El Paso. Black July. Black Span- 
ish. Burgundy. Cigar Box Grape. Devereaux. 
Jacques. Ohio. Lenoir is a tender southern 
grape which has been used largely in France 
and California as a resistant stock and a direct 




Plate XII. — June Red Raspberry. 



LIGNAN BLANC 



LUCILE 



251 



producer. The fruit is highly valued for its 
dark-red wine, and is very good for table 
use. The vine is resistant to phylloxera and 
withstands drouth well. The origin of Lenoir 
is unknown. It was in cultivation in the 
early part of the last century. Nicholas Herbe- 
mont states in 1829 that its name was given 
from a man named Lenoir who cultivated it 
near Statesburg, South Carolina. 

Vine vigorous, thrifty, semi-hardy, productive. Canes 
numerous, with some bloom at the nodes ; tendrils in- 
termittent. Leaves with 2-7 lobes, usually 5, with 
cliaracteristic bluish-green color above and pale green 
below. Clusters variable, medium to very large, taper- 
ing, usually shouldered. Berries small, round, dark 
bluish-purple, nearly black with lilac bloom ; skin thick, 
tough ; flesh juicy, tender, sweet, very rich in coloring 
matter. 

LIGNAN BLANC. V. vinijera. White 
July. Luglienga. Joannenc. At Geneva, New 
York, Lignan Blanc ripens first of all grapes, 
native or European. The fruit is not of high- 
est quality, but is better than that of any 
other early grape. The variety makes a val- 
uable addition to the home vineyard, and 
should be one of the first Vinifera grapes 
to be considered for planting in the East. It 
is a favorite grape in Europe, and is rather 
commonly grown in California. This variety 
offers excellent material for hybridization with 
native grapes. It is an old European sort. 

Vine vigorous, medium productive ; buds open early ; 
opening leaves light green, glossy, tinged with red 
along the edges, thinly pubescent. Leaves medium in 
size, roundish, somewhat dull green, slightly rugose ; 
blade thick ; lobes usually 5 though sometimes 3 ; 
petiolar sinus medium in depth, wide ; lower lateral 
sinus medium in depth, narrow ; upper lateral sinus 
shallow, narrow ; margin dentate ; teeth long, narrow. 
Flowers appear early for a Vinifera ; stamens upright. 
Fruit ripens the first of September and is a good keeper ; 
clusters above medium in size, tapering, medium com- 
pact ; berries medium to large, oval, yellowish-green, 
with thin bloom ; skin thin, tender, neutral ; flesh 
greenish-white, firm, juicy, meaty, sweet ; quality good. 



LINDLEY. Fig. 
228. V. Labrusca X 
V. vinijera. By 
common consent, 
Lindley is the best 
of the red grapes 
originated by Rog- 
ers. The bunches 
are of only medium 
size and are loose, 
but the berries are 
well-formed, of uni- 
form size, and of an 
attractive dark-red 
color. The flesh is 
firm, fine-grained, 
juicy, tender, with 
a peculiarly rich 
aromatic flavor. 
The skin is thick 
and tough but is 
not objectionable 
in fruit fully ripe. 
The fruit keeps 
and ships well, and 




228. Lindley. (X%) 



the berries neither crack nor shatter. The vine 
is vigorous, hardy for a Vinifera hybrid, healthy, 
but, like most of its kind, susceptible to mil- 
dew. The chief defects of Lindley are self- 
sterility, precariousness in bearing, and lack of 
adaptation to many soils. Lindley is a general 
favorite in the garden. In 1869, Rogers gave 
this grape its name in honor of John Lindley, 
the English botanist. 

Vine vigorous, usually hardy, susceptible to mildew. 
Canes very long, dark reddish-brown with thin bloom ; 
nodes enlarged, usually flattened : internodes long, thick ; 
obscurely three-lobed with terminus acute ; petiolar 
sinus deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping ; teeth 
shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in midseason ; 
stamens reflexed. Fruit midseason, keeps and ships 
well. Clusters long, broad, cylindrical, frequently 
single-shouldered, the shoulder being connected to the 
bunch by a long stem, loose ; pedicel short, slender, 
smooth : brush short, pale green. Berries large, round- 
oval, dark-red with faint bloom ; skin tough, adherent, 
unpigmented, strongly astringent ; flesh pale green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous ; good 
to best. Seeds adherent, 2-5, notched, brown. 

LUCILE. Fig. 
229. V. Labrusca. In 
vigor, health, hardi- 
ness, and productive- 
ness, Lucile is not 
surpassed by any 
native grape. Unfor- 
tunately, the fruit- 
characters are not so 
desirable. The size, 
form, and color of 
bunches and berries 
are good, making a 
very attractive fruit, 
but the grapes have 
an obnoxious, foxy 
taste and odor, and 
are pulpy and seedy. 
Lucile is earlier than 
Concord, the crop 
ripening with that of 
Worden or preceding 
it a few days. For 
an early variety, the 
fruit keeps well, and, 
in spite of a thin 
skin, ships well. The 
vine thrives in all 
grape soils. Lucile may be recommended where 
a hardy grape is desired, and for localities in 
which the season is short. J. A. Putnam, Fre- 
donia, New York, grew Lucile. The vine 
fruited first in 1890. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes long, 
light brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; internodes short ; 
tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, firm ; 
leaf with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus shallow, nar- 
row, sometimes closed and overlapping ; basal sinus 
usually absent ; lateral sinus a notch when present ; teeth 
shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open early ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters large, long, 
slender, cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, very 
compact : pedicel short, thick, with few, small, incon- 
spicuous warts ; brush light brown. Berries large, 
round, dark red with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; 
skin thin, tender, astringent ; flesh pale green, trans- 
lucent, juicy, tough,, stringy, foxy; fair in quality. 
Seeds adherent, 1-4, small, broad, short, blunt, dark 
brown. 




229. Lucile. (XVi) 



252 



LUTIE 



MASSASOIT 



LUTIE. V. Labrusca. Lutie is chiefly val- 
uable for its vine-characters. The vines are 
vigorous, harily, healthy, and fruitful. Po- 
mologists differ widely as to the merits of 
the fruit: some claim high quality for it, and 
others declare that it is no better than a wild 
Labrusca. The difference of opinion is due 
to a peculiarity of the fruit; if eaten fresh, 
the quality, while far from being of the best, 
is not bad, but after being picked for .several 
days, it develops so much foxiness of flavor 
and aroma that it is scarcely edible. Lutie 
is a seedling found by L. C. Chisholm, 
Spring Hill, Tennessee. It was introduced in 
1885. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
short, slender, dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged ; 
internodes sliort ; tendrils continuous, short, bifid. 
Leaves medium in size ; leaf usually not lobed with 
terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, wide ; basal sinus 
lacking ; lateral sinus shallow and narrow when present ; 
teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self-fertile, early ; 
stamens upright. Fruit early, does not keep well. 
Clusters medium in size, short, broad, blunt, cylindrical, 
usually not shouldered, compact ; pedicel short with 
small, scattering warts ; brush slender, pale green. 
Berries large, round, dark red, dull with thin bloom, 
drop badly from pedicel, firm ; skin tender, adherent, 
astringent ; fiesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tough, 
foxy ; fair in quality. Seeds adherent, 1-4, large, broad, 
short and blunt, dark brown. 

McPIKE. V. Labrusca. MePike is note- 
worthy because of the large size of the berries 
and bunches. The fruits are very similar to 
those of its parent, Worden, differing in having 
fewer but larger berries, grapes not so high in 
flavor, and fewer and smaller seeds. Because 
of the thin, tender skin, the berries crack 
badly. The grapes shell more or less, and the 
vines are less productive than those of Wor- 
den. The faults named debar McPike from 
becoming a commercial grape, and the fruits 
are not high enough in quality to make it of 
value for the amateur. This variety originated 
with H. G. MePike, Alton, Illinois, from seed 
of Worden planted in 1890. 

vine vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes of 
medium length, dull reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes very short ; tendrils continuous, 
bifid or tritid. Leaves large, thick ; leaf entire with 
terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep ; basal and lateral 
sinuses lacking. Flowers nearly self-fertile. Fruit 
midseason, keeps well. Clusters variable in size, broad, 
irregularly tapering, usually not shouldered ; pedicel 
long, thick, smooth ; brush long, slender, green with 
brown tinge. Berries unusually large, round, purplish- 
black with heavy bloom, firm ; skin cracks, adherent 
to pulp, astringent ; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, 
tender, stringy, vinous ; fair to good. Seeds adiierent, 
1-4, short, broad, blunt, plump, light brown. 

MALAGA. V. vinifera. The fruit of Mal- 
aga is one of the favorite table-grapes in 
California, and is also much grown to ship to 
eastern markets. In some parts of southern 
California, where the Muscats do not thrive, 
Malaga is much grown, and in the San Joa- 
quin Valley its fruits are rather largely used 
in making raisins. It requires a long season 
to mature its crop and probably could not be 
grown in eastern regions except in the most 
favored localities. The description is com- 
piled. 



Vine very vigorous, healthy and productive ; wood 
reddish-brown, short-jointed. Leaves of medium size, 
smooth, leathery ; light glossy green aijove, ligliter be- 
low ; deeply lobed. Bunches very large, long, loose, 
shouldered, sometimes scraggly ; stem long and flexible. 
Berries very large, oval, yellowish-green, covered with 
light bloom ; skin thick ; flesh firm, crisp, sweet and 
rich : quality good. Season late, keeps and ships well. 

MARGUERITE. V. cestivalis Lincecumii 
X ? This variety is another of the Post-oak 
hybrids from T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas. 
The other parent is Herbemont, with which 
the cross was made about 1890. Marguerite 
is grown only in Texas and neighboring states, 
as the growing season is too short in northern 
regions. 

vine very vigorous, very productive ; shoots spiny, 
not downy. Leaves medium to large, 3 to 5 lobes. 
Flowers semi-sterile ; stamens upright. Fruit very late. 
Clusters metlium in size, cylindrical, shouldered, com- 
pact. Berries large, round, dark purple ; skin thin, 
tough : flesh tender, rich, sweet, quali.y good to very 
good. 

MARTHA. V. Labrusca X V. vinifera. 
Martha was at one time a popular green grape, 
but the introduction of superior varieties has 
reduced its popularity until now it is but little 
grown. It is a seedling of Concord and re- 
sembles its parent, differing chiefly as follows: 
the fruits are green and a week earlier; bunch 
and berry are smaller; the flavor is far better, 
being sweeter, more delicate, and less foxy; 
the vine is a lighter shade of green and less 
robust; and the blossoms open a few days 
earlier than those of Concord. One of the 
defects of Martha, and the chief cause of its 
going out of favor, is that the fruit does not 
keep nor ship well. The variety is still being 
planted in the South, but is usually abandoned 
in the North. Samuel Miller, Calmdale, Penn- 
sylvania, grew Martha from seed, and intro- 
duced it about 1868. 

Vine hardy, productive, susceptible to attacks of 
mildew. Canes long, dark reddish-brown, surface with 
thin bloom, roughened : nodes enlarged, slightly flat- 
tened ; tendrils continuous, or intermittent, bifid. 
Leaves large, thick ; lobes wanting or faint ; petiolar 
sinus shallow, very wide ; teeth irregular. Flowers 
self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit 
early midseason. Clusters medium in size, tapering, 
single-shouldered, loose ; pedicel short, slender ; brush 
very short, green. Berries medium in size, round, liglit 
green with thin bloom, persistent ; skin thin, very 
tender, adiierent ; flesh pale green, juicy, tough, fine- 
grained, slightly foxy ; very good. Seeds few in num- 
ber, adherent, broad, blunt, dark brown. 

MASSASOIT. V. Labrusca X V. vinifera. 
Massasoit is distinguished as the earliest of 
Rogers' hybrids, its crop ripening with that of 
Delaware. The grapes have the peculiarity of 
being best before full maturity, developing 
after ripening a degree of foxiness which im- 
pairs the quality. In shape and size of berry 
and bunch, there is a striking resemblance to 
Isabella, but the color is that of Catawba. 
The texture of the fruit is especially good, 
firm but tender and juicy, while the flavor is 
rich and sweet. The vine is vigorous, hardy, 
and productive, but subject to mildew and rot. 
Massasoit is worthy of a place in the home 
vineyard and as an early grape of hne quality 
for local markets. 



MEMORY 



MISH 



253 



Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive, subject to rot 
and mildew. Canes long, thick, dark brown with 
reddish tinge ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; tendrils con- 
tinuous, long, trifid or bifid. Leaves variable in size ; 
lobes 3-5 with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, 
narrow ; basal sinus shallow, narrow, obscure ; teeth 
shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open late ; stamens re- 
fiexed. Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters variable in 
size, broad, cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered ; 
pedicel slender with a few indistinct warts ; brush pale 
^een. Berries large, round-oval, dark brownish-red, 
dull with thin bloom, very persistent, firm ; skin thin, 
tender, adherent, astringent ; flesh pale green, trans- 
lucent, juicy, fine-grained, soft, stringy, foxy ; good to 
very good. Seeds adherent, 1-5, large, broad, distinctly 
notched, plump, blunt. 

MEMORY. V. rotundijolia. Memory is 
one of the best of the Rotundifolia grapes for 
the garden and local markets, and its fruits are 
especially good for dessert. As yet, however, 
the variety has not been widely distributed 
even in North Carolina, where it originated. 
The variety is given credit for being the most 
productive of the grapes of its species. Mem- 
ory is probably a seedling of Thomas, which 
it much resembles, and was found by T. S. 
Memory in a vineyard of Thomas grapes near 
Whiteville, North Carolina, about 1868. 

Vine very vigorous, healthy, productive. Leaves large, 
longer than broad, thick, smooth with coarsely serrate 
margins. Flowers perfect. Fruit ripens in .September 
in North Carolina. Clusters large, with from four to 
twelve berries which hang unusually well for a variety 
of V. rotundifolia. Berries very large, round-oblong, 
deep brownish-black, almost jet black ; skin tiiick ; flesh 
tender, juicy, sweet ; good to best. 

MERRIMAC. V. Labrmca X V. vinijcra. 
Merrimac is often accredited with being the 
best black grape among Rogers' hybrids, but an 
analysis of the characters of the several black 
varieties grown by Rogers shows that it is sur- 
passed by Wilder, Herbert, and possibly Barry. 
The vine is strong in growth, productive, hardy, 
and exempt from fungal diseases; but the 
grapes are not high in quality, and flesh-, skin-, 
and seed-characters are such that the fruit is 
not so pleasant to eat as that of the other 
black varieties named. Merrimac is worthy 
of a place in collections for the sake of va- 
riety. Rogers gave this variety the name 
Merrimac in 1869. 

Vine vigorous, usually hardy, productive. Canes 
slender, dark brown, surface roughened ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; intemodes short ; tendrils intermittent, short, 
bifid. Leaves large, thin ; lobes i with terminal one 
obtuse ; petiolar sinus usually lacking ; lateral sinus 
shallow, narrow; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, 
open in midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit midseason, 
keeps and ships well. Clusters variable in size, broad, 
tapering ; pedicel slender, covered with numerous incon- 
spicuous warts ; brush wine-colored. Berries large, round, 
black, glossy with abundant bloom ; persistent, firm ; 
skin thick, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh light green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, stringy ; good. 
Seeds adherent, 1-5, broad, long, with enlarged neck, 
brown. 

MILLS. Fig. 230. V. Labrusca X V. vini- 
jcrn. The bimches and berries of Mills are 
large and well-formed ; the berries are firm 
and solid, with the skin adherent as in the 
Vinifera; the flesh is juicy and parts readily 
from the seeds; the flavor is rich, sweet, and 
vinous; and the grapes are hardly surpassed 
in keeping quality. But when the fruit-char- 



acters of Mills have been praised, nothing 
further can be said in its favor. The vines 
are neither vigorous, hardy, nor fruitful, and 
are very subject to mildew; neither wood nor 
roots ripen well in the North in average sea- 
sons; and the variety is a most difficult one 
for nurserymen to grow. Mills is of doubtful 




230. Mills. (X%) 

commercial value, but for the garden the 
grower may graft it to advantage on some 
variety with better vine-characters. William 
H. Mills, Hamilton, Ontario, grew Mills about 
1870 from seed of Muscat Hamburg fertilized 
by Creveling. 



Vine medium in vigor, hardiness and producti' 
Canes long, light brown, thick ; nodes enlarged, flat- 
tened : tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves 
large, thick ; lobes 3-5 with terminus acute ; petiolar 
sinus wide ; teeth deep. Flowers self-fertile, open in 
midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit midseason, keeps 
well. Clusters large, long, slender, cylindrical, often 
double-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender with nu- 
merous, small warts ; brush long, wine-colored. Berries 
large, oval, jet-black with abundant bloom, persistent, 
firm ; skin thick, tough, adherent ; flesh light green, 
translucent, juicy, rich, tender, sprightly, vinous, sweet ; 
very good to best. Seeds free, 1-3. large, brown. 

MISH. V. rotundijolia. Mish is a favorite 
Rotundifolia in North Carolina, and is planted 
extensively in some parts of that state. Its 
outstanding characters are vigor and produc- 
tiveness in vine, and high quality in the fruit. 
Mish is named b)' many as the best all-round 
Rotundifolia: its fruits are of value for des- 
sert, wine, and grape-juice. The variety was 
found by W. W. Mish. about 1846, near Wash- 
ington, North Carolina. 

Vine very vigorous, productive, healthy, open in 
growth ; canes somewhat trailing. Leaves large, round, 
thick, smooth, leathery with coarsely dentate margin. 
Flowers perfect. Fruit late, does not ripen uniformly, 
keeps and ships well. Clusters of medium size with 
from six to fifteen berries which cling well to the 
pedicel. Berries of medium size, round-oval, deep 
reddish-black with numerous conspicuous dots ; skin 
thin, cracking in wet weather ; flesh tender, juicy, 
sweet, exceptionally well flavored ; very good to best. 



254 



MISSION 



MUSCATEL 



MISSION. V. vinijera. Of all grapes, Mis- 
sion has probably played the most important 
part in the vineyards of California. Grown 
from the earliest times at the old missions, 
its source or its name has never been deter- 
mined. Its viticiiltural value for table and 
wine-press was early appreciated by Californian 
grape-growers, and its culture rapidly spread 
to every county in the state adapted to grape- 
growing. With vines vigorous, healthy, and 
productive, bearing grapes of delicious quality. 
Mission is a mainstay on the Pacific slope, 
surpassed by few vineyard varieties for gen- 
eral usefulness. The description is compiled. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, productive ; wood short- 
jointed, grayish-brown, dull, dark. Leaf medium to 
large, slightly oblong, with large, deeply-cut compound 
teeth ; basal widely opened, primary sinuses narrow and 
shallow ; smooth on both sides with scattered tomentum 
below, bright green above, lighter below. Bunch di- 
vided into many small, distinct lateral clusters, shoul- 
dered, loose, sometimes very loose. Berries of medium 
size, purple or almost black with heavy bloom ; skin 
thin ; flesh firm, crisp, juicy, sweet, rich and delicious. 
Seeds rather Lirge and prominent ; season late. 

MOORE EARLY. Fig. 231. V. Labrusca. 
Moore Early is the standard grape of its sea- 
son. Its fruits cannot be described better than 
by saying that they are almost identical with 
those of Concord. The 
vines, however, are 
readily distinguishable 
from those of Concord, 
and differ chiefly in 
being less productive. 
To grow the variety 
satisfactorily, the soil 
must be rich, well- 
drained, loose, and 
must be frequently 
cultivated, and the 
vines should be 
pruned severely. The 
bunches of Moore 
Early are not so large 
as tho.se of Concord, 
and are less compact ; 
the berries shell rather 
more easily, and the 
skin cracks more read- 
ily. The flesh-charac- 
ters and the flavor are 
essentially those of 
Concord, although the 
quality is not so high 
as in the older variety. 
The fruit is, however, of much higher quality 
than that of Champion and Hartford, chief 
competitors of Moore Early, and varieties 
which it should replace. Moore Early is by 
no means an ideal grape for its season, but 
until a better variety is introduced it will prob- 
ably remain the best early commercial sort. 
Captain John B. Moore, Concord, Massachu- 
setts, originated this var'cty from seed of 
Concord planted about 1868. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, unproductive. Canes short, 
dark reddish-brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; inter- 
nodes short, tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves 
large, thick ; leaf usually not lobed, terminus acute ; 




231. Moore Early. 
(X%) 



petiolar sinus wide ; basal sinus lacking ; lateral sinus 
a notch when present ; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers 
fertile, open in midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit 
early, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size, 
length, and breadth, cylindrical, sometimes single- 
shouldered, loose ; pedicel short, thick, smooth ; brush 
short, pale green. Berries large, round, purplish-black, 
firm ; skin tender, adherent ; flesh green, translucent, 
juicy, fine-grained, tough with slight foxiness ; fair 
to good. Seeds 1-4, large, broad, plump, blunt, brown 
witli yellow tinge at tips. 

MOSCATELLO. V. vinijera. Moscatello 
Nero. Black Muscat. Beautiful in appearance 
and having a delicate Muscat taste and 
aroma, the fruits of this variety make about 
the best table-grape for the Pacific slope. Un- 
fortunately, the crop ripens so late that Mos- 
catello is hardly wortli trying in the East. 
The variety has the reputation of being very 
productive. The description is compiled. 

vine vigorous, healthy, very productive. Leaves of 
medium size, with deep upper and shallow lower 
sinuses ; glabrous above, slightly downy below, very 
hairy on the veins, with long, sharp teeth. Bunch 
large to \'ery large, long, loose, conico-cylindrical, 
winged. Berries very large, borne on long slender pedi- 
cels, dark purple, almost black ; skin thin but tough ; 
flesh rather soft, juicy ; flavor sweet, rich, aromatic, 
musky ; quality very good. Season late, does not keep 
well. 

MOYER. V. cestivalis Bourquiniana X V. 
vinijera. Jordan. Mayer's Early Red. Moyer 
is almost a counterpart of its parent, Delaware. 
But for the fact that its crop is from one to two 
weeks earlier than that of Delaware, and the 
vines are somewhat hardier, hence better 
adapted for cold regions, Moyer could have 
no place in viticulture. Compared with Dela- 
ware, the vine is hardly as vigorous and is less 
productive, but is freer from rot and mildew. 
The bunches are much like those of Delaware, 
but have the fault of setting fruit imperfectly 
even when cross-pollination is assured; the 
berries are a little larger, of much the same 
color, and of like flavor — rich, sweet, with 
pure vinousness, and without a trace of foxi- 
ness. The fruit keeps well, ships well, and 
does not crack nor shell. Moyer is well es- 
tablished in Canada, proving perfectly hardy 
wherever Concord is grown, and possibly 
standing even more cold. W. H. Read, Port 
Dalhousie. Ontario, raised the original vine of 
Moyer, about 1880. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, unproductive. Canes 
numerous, slender, dull, dark reddish-brown ; nodes en- 
larged, flattened ; internodes short ; tendrils continuous, 
long, bifid or trifid. Leaves small ; lobes 2-5 with 
terminus acute ; petiolar sinus shallow ; basal sinus 
shallow when present ; lateral sinus shallow, narrow ; 
teeth very shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile, open 
early ; stamens reflexed. Fruit early, keeps well but 
loses color if kept too long. Clusters small, short, 
slender, tapering, sometimes single-shouldered ; pedicel 
short with small warts ; brush yellowish-green. Berries 
small, oblate, dark red with faint bloom, persistent, 
firm : skin tough, free, astringent ; flesh translucent, 
juicy, tender, fine-grained, vinous : good to very good. 
Seeds free. 1-4, broad, sliort, very blunt, brown with 
yellow tinge at tips. 

MUSCATEL. V. vinijera. White Frontig- 
na7i. This old standard sort is rather com- 
monly grown in some of the grape regions of 
California to follow Chasselas Golden. It 
might be tried with some show of success in 



MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA 



NOAH 



255 



favored grape regions in the East. The de- 
scription is compiled. 

Vine of medium size, vigorous, healthy ; canes strong, 
spreading, reddish-brown with short internodes. Leaves 
of medium size, thin, 6-lobed ; glabrous except on the 
lower sides of the well-marked ribs where a few hairs 
show. Bunches long, cylindrical, regular, compact. 
Berries round, golden-yellow becoming amber ; flavor 
sweet, rich, aromatic, peculiar ; quality very good. 
Season late midseason, keeps and ships well. 

MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA. V. vini- 
fera. This is possibly the Iciuling table- and 
raisin-grape of the Pacific slope. From the 
literature or from a visit to vineyards, one 
cannot make out whether one variety or sev- 
eral varieties are grown under the name. 
Probably there are several strains grown under 
the distinctive name "Muscat" which is ap- 
plied to these sweet, light yellow, musky 
grapes. This is one of the standard sorts to 
force indoors, but requires too long a season 
for out-of-doors in the East. The following 
description is compiled: 

vine short, straggling, bushy, sometimes forming a 
bush rather than a vine, very productive ; wood gray 
with dark spots, short-jointed. Leaf round, 5-lobed ; 
briglit green above, lighter green below. Bunches long 
and loose, shouldered. Berries oblong, light yellow and 
transparent when fully mature, covered with white 
bloom ; flesh firm, crisp ; flavor sweet and very musky ; 
quality good. Season late, the laterals producing a 
second, sometimes even a third, crop. 

MUSCAT HAMBURG. V. vinifera. 
Muscat Hamburg is an old European grape 
well known in some parts of America in green- 
house graperies, since it is one of the best 
for forcing. All who know the beautiful fruits 
of this variety grown in forcing-houses will 
want to test Muscat Hamburg out-of-doors. 
At the Geneva, New York, Experiment Sta- 
tion, it has done well, producing clusters at- 
taining a weight of a pound and a half to two 
pounds. One is struck with wondering admira- 
tion at the vine of this variety laden with 
grapes growing by the side of plants of Con- 
cord, Niagara, or Delaware. The fruits are 
delectable, containing the quintessence of the 
flavors and aromas which make the grape a 
favorite fruit. The grapes keep long and 
retain almost to the end their form, size, and 
color, and their rich, delicate flavor. This 
variety is a treasure to the amateur; and the 
professional who wants another grape for local 
markets should trj' grafting over a few vines 
of some native to this sort. 

Vines vigorous, tender, need protection during the 
winter ; canes long, numerous, slender to medium, light 
brown, darker at the nodes which are enlarged and 
flattened. Leaves medium to large. Fruit ripens in 
October, ships and keeps well. Clusters very large, long, 
broad, tapering, single- or double-shouldered. Berries 
large, firm, oval, very dark purplish-red, covered with 
lilac bloom, very persistent : skin thick, adheres strongly 
to the pulp : flesh pale green, translucent, meaty, very 
juicy, tender, vinous, musky, sweet, rich ; very good 
to best. Seeds separating easily from the pulp, large. 

NIAGARA. Fig. 232. V. Labrusca X V. 
vinijera. Niagara is the leading American 
green grape, and holds the rank among grapes 
of this color that Concord maintains among 



black varieties. It is, however, a less valuable 
grape than Concord, and it is doubtful whether 
it should be ranked much higher than several 
other green grapes. In vigor and productive- 
ness, when the two grapes are on equal footing 
as to adaptabilit.v, Niagara and Concord rank 
the same. In hardiness of root and vine, 
Niagara falls short of Concord; it cannot be 




232. Niagara. (X%) 

grown without winter protection where the 
thermometer falls much below zero. Both 
bunches and berries of Niagara are larger than 
those of Concord and are better formed, mak- 
ing a handsomer fruit. The fruit shells as 
badly as that of Concord and does not keep 
longer. Both vine and fruit of Niagara are 
more susceptible to fungal diseases than those 
of Concord, especially to black-rot, which 
proves a veritable scourge with this variety in 
unfavorable seasons. Niagara was produced 
by C. L. Hoag and B. W. Clark, Lockport, 
New York, from seed of Concord fertilized 
by Cassady, planted in 1868. 

Vine vigorous, lacking in hardiness, very productive. 
Canes long, thick, reddish-brown deepening in color 
at the nodes which are enlarged and slightly flattened ; 
internodes long, thick ; tendrils continuous, long, bifid 
or trifid. Leaves large, thick ; lobes 3-5 with terminus 
acute ; petiolar sinus of medium depth and width ; basal 
sinus shallow, wide, often toothed ; lateral sinus wide, 
frequently toothed ; teeth shallow, variable in width. 
Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit midseason, keeps well. Clusters large, 
long, broad, tapering, frequently single-shouldered, com- 
pact ; pedicel thick with a few, small, inconspicuous 
warts ; brush pale green, long. Berries large, oval, pale 
yellowish-green with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; skin 
thin, tender, adherent, astringent ; flesh light green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy ; good. 
Seeds free, 1-6, deeply notched, brown. 

NOAH. V. vulpina X V. Labrusca. Noah 
is little known at present outside of Missouri, 
where it is still planted somewhat. Noah and 
Elvira are often confused, but there are 
marked differences. The clusters of Elvira 



256 



NORTHERN MUSCADINE 



PERKINS 



are smaller, the berries are more foxy in taste, 
and tlie skins are more tender and crack more 
readily than those of Noah. The large, dark, 
glossy green leaves make the vines of this 
variety very handsome. Like Elvira and other 
varieties of this group, Noah is of little value 
in the North. It originated with Otto Was- 
serzieher, Nauvoo, Illinois, from seed of 
Taylor planted in 1869. 

Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, productive. Canes 
long, thick, dark brown, surface roughened ; nodes en- 
larged, flattened ; tendrils continuous, bifid or tritid. 
Leaves large ; leaf usually not lobed with terminus 
acuminate ; petiolar sinus deep, wide ; basal sinus lack- 
ing ; lateral sinus shallow when present ; teeth shallow, 
wide. Flowers semi-fertile, open early ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit late midseason, does not ship nor keep 
well. Clusters variable in size, cylindrical, single- 
shouldered, compact ; pedicel short with a few small 
warts ; brush short, brown. Berries small, round, light 
green tinged with yellow, dull with thin bloom, firm ; 
skin adherent to pulp ; flesh yellowish-green, translucent, 
juicy, tough, fine-grained, vinous, sprightly ; good. 
Seeds adherent, 1-4, dark brown. 

NORTHERN MUSCADINE. V. La- 

brusca. The fact that this variety, together 
with Lucile, Lutie, and other grapes with the 
foxy taste strongly marked, has not become 
popular, in spite of good vine-characters, is 
evidence that the American public do not de- 
sire such grapes. In appearance of fruit. 
Northern Muscadine is much like Lutie, and 
the two are distinguished from other grapes 
by an unmistakable odor. A serious defect 
of the fruit is that the berries shatter badly 
as soon as they reach maturity. Taken as a 
whole, the vine characters of this variety are 
very gooa and offer possibilities for the grape- 
breeder. The variety originated at New 
Lebanon, New York, about 1852. 

Vine vigorous, productive, healthy, hardy. Canes 
slender, dark brown, heavily pubescent ; tendrils con- 
tinuous, bifid, dehisce early. Leaves large, round, thick. 
Flowers self-fertile, open in midseason ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit early midseason, does not keep well. 
Clusters medium in size, short, occasionally single- 
shouldered, compact. Berries large, oval, dark amljer 
with thin bloom, drop badly from the pedicels ; skin 
tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh pale green, juicy, 
fine-grained, tender, soft, very foxy, sweet ; poor in 
quality. Seeds free, numerous, large, broad, faintly 
notched, long, brown. 

NORTON. V. cestivalis X V. Labmsca. 
Norton is one of the leading wine-grapes in 
eastern America, but the fruit has small value 
for any other purpose than wine or grape- 
juice. The vine is hardy but requires a long, 
warm season to reach maturity, so that it is 
seldom grown successfully north of the Po- 
tomac. Norton thrives in rich alluvial clays, 
gravels, or sands; the only requisite seems to 
be a fair amount of fertility and soil warmth. 
The vines are robust; very productive, espe- 
cially on fertile soils; as free, or more so, 
from fungal diseases as any other of our native 
grapes; and very resistant to phylloxera. The 
bunches are of but medium size and the berries 
are small. The grapes are pleasant eating 
when ripe — rich, spicy, and pure-flavored — but 
tart if not quite ripe. The variety is difficult 
to propagate from cuttings and to transplant, 
and the vines do not bear grafts well. The 



origin of Norton is uncertain, but it has been 
under cultivation since before 1830, when it 
was first described. 

Vine very vigorous, healthy, half-hardy, productive. 
Canes long, thick, dark brown, with abundant bloom ; 
nodes much enlarged ; internodes long ; tendrils inter- 
mittent, occasionally continuous, long, bifid, sometimes 
trifid. Leaves large, irregularly round ; leaf usually not 
lobed with terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, 
sometimes closed and overlapping ; basal sinus usually 
absent ; lateral sinus shallow or a mere notch when 
present. Flowers self-fertile, late ; stamens upright. 
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters medium in size, short, 
broad, tapering, single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel 
slender with a few warts ; brush dull, wine-colored. 
Berries small, round-oblate, black, glossy with heavy 
bloom, persistent, soft ; skin thin, free with much dark 
red pigment ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, tender, 
spicy, tart. Seeds free, 2-6, small, brown. 

OZARK. V. mstivalis X V. Labmsca. 
Ozark belongs to the South and to Missouri 
in particular. Its merits and demerits have 
been threshed out by the Missouri grape- 
growers with the result that its culture is 
somewhat increasing. The grapes are of low 
quality, partly, perhaps, from overbearing, 
which the variety habitually does unless the 
fruit is thinned. The vine is healthy and a 
very strong grower, but is self-sterile, — a qual- 
ity which is against it as a market sort. In 
spite of self-sterility and low quality, Ozark is 
a promising variety for the country south of 
Pennsylvania. Ozark originated with J. Stay- 
man, Leavenworth, Kansas, about 1890. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, 
thick, with thin bloom, surface roughened ; nodes en- 
larged, flattened ; internodes long ; tendrils intermittent, 
usually bifid. Leaves dense, large ; coliwebby ; lobea 
3-5 ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow ; serrations shallow, 
narrow. Flowers self-sterile or nearly so. open late ; 
stamens reflexed. Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters large, 
long, usually with a long, loose shoulder, very compact ; 
pedicel short, thick, smooth ; brush long, red. Berries 
variable in size, dull black with abundant bloom, per. 
sistent ; skin tough with much wine-colored pigment ; 
flesh tender, mild ; fair in quality. Seeds free, small. 

PALOMINO. V. vinijera. Golden Chasse- 
las. Listan. This variety seems to be grown 
in California under the three names given, 
while in France, Palomino is described as a 
bluish-black grape. Palomino seems to be 
grown commonly in California as a table-grape, 
and is worth trying in eastern America. The 
variety as received from California at the New 
York Experiment Station has the following 
characters, agreeing with those set down by 
Californian viticulturists : 

Fruit ripens about the 20th of October, keeping quali- 
ties good ; clusters medium to large, long, single- 
shouldered, tapering, loose ; berries medium to small, 
roundish, pale greenish-yellow, thin bloom ; skin and 
the adhering flesh medium tender and crisp, flesh sur- 
rounding seeds melting ; flavor sweet, vinous ; quality 
good. 

PERKINS. V. Labmsca. At one time 
Perkins was grown largely as an early grape, 
but it has been discarded very generally on 
account of the poor quality of the fruit. The 
pulp of the grape is hard, and the flavor is 
that of Wyoming and Northern Muscadine, 
grapes characterized by disagreeable foxiness. 
As with nearly all Labniscas, the fruits of 
Perkins do not keep well. Notwithstanding 



PIERCE 



ROMMEL 



257 



the faults of its fruit, the variety may have 
value in regions where grape-growing is pre- 
carious; for, in plant, it is one of the most 
reliable grapes cultivated, the vines being 
hardy, vigorous, productive, and free from 
fungal diseases. Perkins is an accidental seed- 
ling found about 1830 in the garden of Jacob 
Perkins, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. 

vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
long, numerous, thicli, dark brown, deepening in color 
at tlie nodes, surface iieavily pubescent ; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; internodes long ; tendrils continuous, bifid 
or trifid. Leaves medium in size, thick ; lobes 3 ; petiolar 
sinus deep, narrow ; serration shallow. Flowers self- 
fertile, early ; stamens upriglit. Fruit early, ships well. 
Clusters of medium size and lengtli, broad, cylindrical, 
often with a single shoulder, compact ; pedicel short, 
thick, warty ; brush long, yellow. Berries large, oval, 
pale lilac or light red with thin bloom, inclined to drop 
from the pedicel, soft ; skin thin, tough, without pig- 
ment ; flesh white, juicy, stringy, fine-grained, firm, 
meaty, very foxy ; poor in quality. Seeds adherent, 
numerous, medium in size, notched. 

PIERCE. V. Labrusca. Pierce is a bud 
sport from Isabella, originating about 1882 
with J. P. Pierce, Santa Clara, California. 
The variety is rather commonly grown in the 
Pacific states, and is about the best repre- 
sentative of the Labrusca grapes for Cali- 
fornia, but is scarcely known m other grape 
regions, falling far short of other native grapes 
in the East. 

Vines very vigorous, healthy, productive. Leaves 
remarkably large. Fruit late, clusters large ; berries 
large, dull, black, oval, light bloom ; skin rather thick 
and tough ; flesh tender, juicy, sweet, strongly aromatic, 
quality fair to good ; seeds 1 or 2, large, separating 
readily from the flesh. 

POCKLINGTON. V. Labrusca. Before 
the advent of Niagara, Pocklington was the 
leading green grape. The variety has the 
fatal fault, however, of ripening its crop late, 
which, with some minor defects, has caused it 
to fall below Niagara for northern grape dis- 
tricts. Pocklington is a seedling of Concord 
and resembles its parent in vine-characters; 
the vines are fully equal or superior to those 
of Concord in hardiness, but are of slower 
growth and not quite so healthy, vigorous, nor 
productive. In quality, the grapes are as good 
as those of Concord or Niagara, if not better, 
being sweet, rich, and pleasantly flavored, al- 
though like the other grapes named, they have 
too much foxiness for critical consumers. 
Pocklington is not equal in quality to several 
other grapes of its season, as lona, Jefferson, 
Diana, Dutchess, and Catawba, but it is far 
above the average and for this reason should 
be retained. John Pocklington, Sandy Hill, 
New York, grew Pocklington from seed of 
Concord about 1870. 

Vine medium in vigor, hardy. Canes of medium 
length, number and size, dark reddish-brown : nodes 
enlarged, flattened ; tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. 
Leaves variable in size, thick ; lobes 1-3 with terminus 
acuminate ; petiolar sinus deep, wide ; teeth narrow. 
Flowers self-fertile, midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit 
late midseason, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, 
cylindrical, often single-shouldered, compact, pedicel 
short, thick, with a few small warts ; brush short, green. 
Berries large, oblate, yellowish-green with tinge of 
amber, with thin bloom, firm ; skin with scattering 
russet dots, thin, tender, adherent, faintly astringent ; 



flesh light green with yellow tinge, translucent, juicy, 
tough, fine-grained, slightly foxy ; good. Seeds ad- 
herent, 1-6, of medium length and breadth. 

PURPLE CORNICHON. V. vinifera. 
Black Cornichon. By virtue of attractive ap- 
pearance and excellent shipping qualities of 
the fruit, this variety takes high place among 
the commercial grapes of California. Late 
ripening is another quality making it desirable, 
while its curious, long, curved berries add 
novelty to its attractions. The fruit does not 
take high rank in quality. The description 
has been compiled. 

Vine very vigorous, healthy and productive ; wood 
light brown striped with darker brown, short-jointed. 
Leaves large, longer than wide, deeply 5-lobed ; dark 
green above, lighter and very hairy below ; coarsely 
toothed ; with short, thick petiole. Bunches very large, 
loose or sometimes scraggly, borne on long peduncles ; 
berries large, long, more or less curved, dark purple, 
spotted, tliick-skinned, borne on long pedicels ; flesh 
firm, crisp, sweet but not rich in flavor ; quality good 
but not high. Season late, keeps and ships well. 

REGAL. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. Regal 
is an offspring of Lindley, which it greatly 
resembles. The fruit is attractive in appear- 
ance and is high in quality. A seemingly in- 
significant fault might make Regal undesir- 
able in a commercial vineyard: the clusters 
are borne so close to the wood that it is diffi- 
cult to harvest the fruit and avoid injury to 
the berries next to the wood. The variety is 
worthy of extensive culture in vineyards and 
gardens. Regal originated with W. A. Wood- 
ward, Roekford, Illinois, in 1879. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, very productive. 
Canes intermediate in length and size, numerous, dark 
reddish-brown. Tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. 
Leaves large. Flowers self-fertile, midseason ; stamens 
upright. Fruit midseason, keeps well. Clusters small, 
broad, cylindrical, usually with a short single shoulder, 
sometimes double-shouldered, very compact. Berries 
large, round, purplish-red with faint bloom, persistent ; 
skin thin, tough, without pigment. Flesh pale green, 
verj' juicy ; fine-grained, tender, musky ; good. Seeds 
free, numerous, long, narrow, notched, blunt with a 
short neck, brown. 

REQUA. V. Labrusca X V. vinijera. This 
is one of Rogers' hybrids, which hardly equals 
other grapes of its color and season. The 
grapes are attractive in cluster and berry and 
are of very good quality, but are subject to 
rot and ripen too late for northern regions. 
The \'ariety w-as named Requa in 1869, but 
was previously known as No. 28. 

Vine vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, medium 
in productiveness. Canes long, thick ; tendrils cor 
tinuous or intermittent, trifid or bifid. Leaves medium 
in size, dark green, often thick and rugose. Flowers 
semi-fertile, late ; stamens reflexed. Fruit late, keeps 
long. Clusters large, cylindrical, often with a long, 
single shoulder, compact. Berries large, oval, dark, 
dull red covered with thin bloom, strongly adherent ; 
flesh pale green, tender, stringy, vinous, foxy, sweet ; 
good to very good. Seeds adherent, medium in size 
and length, broad, blunt. 

ROMMEL. (F. vulpina X V. Labrusca) X 
V. vinijera. Rommel is rarely cultivated in the 
North, because the vines lack robustness, 
hardiness, and productiveness; are susceptible 
to the leaf-hopper; and the grapes do not at- 
tain high quality and crack as they ripen. 



258 



ROSAKI 



SCUPPERNONG 



The bunch and berry are attractive in form, 
size, and color. At its best, Rommell produces 
good table-grapes, which make a fine white 
wine. It is worth growing in the South. T. V. 
Munson, Denison, Texas, origmated Rommel 
in 1885, from seed of Elvira pollinated by 
Triumph, and introduced it in 1889. 

Vine vigorous in the South. Canes long, numerous, 
thick, reddish-brown, surface roughened ; nodes en- 
larged, often flattened ; intemodes short ; tendrils in- 
termittent, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in size, 
round, thick ; leaf not lobed, terminus acute to acumi- 
nate : petiolar sinus deep, narrow, often closed and 
overlapping ; basal sinus lacking ; lateral sinus shallow 
when present ; teeth deep. Flowers semi-fertile, late ; 
stamens upright. Fruit midseason, ships and keeps 
well. Clusters medium to short, broad, cylindrical, 
single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender, smooth ; 
brush short, pale green. Berries large, roundish, light 
green with a yellow tinge, glossy, persistent, firm ; skin 
thin, cracks badly, tender, adherent, without pigment or 
astringency ; flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, tender, 
melting, stringy, sweet ; fair to good. Seeds free, 1-4, 
broad, sliarp-pointed, plump, brown. 

ROSAKI. V. vinijcra. Rosaki is a table- 
and raisin-grape of southeastern Europe and 
Asia Minor. According to some of the Cali- 
fornia nursery companies, it is grown in that 
state under the name Dattier de Beyrough, al- 
though it would seem from French descriptions 
that there is a separate, very late variety of 
the latter name. Rosaki is similar to Malaga, 
and there is a possibility that in some of the 
warmer parts of the East it may be grown 
commercially as a substitute for the latter. 
The variety seems to be little grown on the 
Pacific slope. 

Vine vigorous, usually very productive. Leaves large, 
roundish, rugose, usually o-lobed ; terminal lobe acumi- 
nate : petiolar sinus moderately deep to deep, medium 
broad ; lower lateral sinus shallow, broad ; margins 
broadly and bluntly dentate. Fruit ripens the tliird 
week in October, keeping qualities excellent. Clusters 
large, loose, tapering, shouldered. Berries large to very 
large, oval to long-oval, pale yellow-green ; flesh trans- 
lucent, tender, meaty, vinous, sprightly ; quality good 
to very good. 

ROSE OF PERU. V. vinifera. Rose of 
Peru is a favorite table-grape in California, 
confused with Black Prince and possibly the 
same. Its chief commendable characters are 
handsome appearance, high quality of fruit, 
and very productive vines. The fruits are 
not adapted for shipping and do not enter 
plentifully into commerce. Its season is so 
late that the variety is hardly worth trying in 
the East, and yet it has matured in favorable 
seasons at Geneva, New York. The following 
description is compiled: 

Vine vigorous, healthy, productive ; wood short- 
jointed, dark brown. Leaves of medium size ; deep 
green above, lighter green and tomentose below. Bunches 
very large, shouldered, very loose, often scraggly. Berries 
large, round, black with firm, crackling flesh ; skin 
rather thin and tender ; flavor sweet and rich ; quality 
very good to best. Season late, keeping rather well 
but not shipping well. 

SALEM. Fig. 233. V. Lahrvtsca X V. vini- 
fera. Salem is the one of Rogers' hybrids of 
which the originator is said to have thought 
most, and to which he gave the name of his 




233. Salem. (XVs) 



place of residence. The two chief faults, un- 
productiveness and susceptibility to mildew, 
are not found in all localities, and in favorable 
places, near good markets, Salem ought to 
rank high as a com- 
mercial fruit. The 
vine is hardy, vigor- 
ous, and productive, 
and bears handsome 
fruit of high quality. 
This variety was 
christened Salem by 
Rogers in 1867, two 
years earlier than his 
other hybrids were 
named. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, 
variable in productive- 
ness. Canes long, dark 
brown ; nodes enlarged ; 
tendrils continuous or 
intermittent, long, bifid 
or trifid. Leaves vari- 
able in size ; lobes 1-3 
with terminus acute ; 
petiolar sinus deep, nar- 
row, often overlapping ; 

basal sinus lacking ; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, 
notched. Flowers sterile, midseason ; stamens reflexed. 
Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, short, 
broad, tapering, heavily shouldered, compact ; pedicel 
short, thick, with small warts, enlarged at point of 
attachment to berry ; brush short, pale green. Berries 
large, round, dark red, dull, persistent, soft ; skin thick, 
adherent, without pigment, astringent ; flesh translucent, 
juicy, tender, stringy, fine-grained, vinous, sprightly ; 
good to very good. Seeds 1-6, large, long and broad, 
blunt, brown. 

SCUPPERNONG. V. rotundijolia. Bvil. 
Bidlace. Bullet. Fox Grape. Hickman. Mils- 
cadine. Roanoke. Scuppernong is preemi- 
nently the grape of the South, the chief rep- 
resentative of the great species, V. rotundi- 
jolia, which runs riot in natural luxuriance 
from Delaware and Maryland to the Gulf, and 
westward from the Atlantic to Arkansas and 
Texas. Scuppernong vines are found on 
arbors, in gardens, or half wild, on trees and 
fences on nearly every farm in the South At- 
lantic states. As a rule, these vines receive 
little cultivation, are unpruned, and are given 
no care of any kind; but even under neglect 
they produce large crops. The vines are al- 
most immune to mildew, rot, phylloxera, or 
other fungal or insect pests ; they give not only 
an abundance of fruit, but, on arbors and 
trellises, are much prized for their shade and 
beauty. The fruit, to a palate accustomed to 
other grapes, is not very acceptable, having a 
musky flavor and a somewhat repugnant odor, 
which, however, with familiarity becomes 
quite agreeable. The pulp is sweet and juicy 
but is lackmg in sprightliness. The grapes are 
not suitable for the market, because the ber- 
ries drop from the bunch in ripening and be- 
come more or less smeared with juice, so that 
their appearance is not appetizing. 

Vine vigorous, not hardy in the North, very produc- 
tive. Canes long, numerous, slender, ash-gray to grayish- 
brown ; surface smooth, thickly covered with small, light 
brown dots; tendrils intermittent, simple. Leaves 



SECRETARY 



ULSTER 



259 



small, thin. Flowers very late; stamens refleied. Fruit 
late, ripens unevenly, berries drop as they mature. 
Clusters small, round, unshouldered, loose. Berries few 
in a cluster, large, round, dull green, often with brown 
tinge, firm ; skin thick, tough with many small russet 
dots ; fiesh pale green, juicy, tender, soft, fine-grained, 
foxy, sweet to agreeably tart ; fair to good. Seeds 
adherent, large, short, broad, unnotched, blunt, plump, 
surface smooth, brown. 

SECRETARY. V. vulpina X V- vinijcra. 
Injured by mildew and rot, which attack 
leaves, fruit, and young wood, the vines of 
Secretary are able to produce good grapes only 
in exceptional seasons and in favored localities. 
The fruit-characters, however, give the grapes 
exceptionally high quality, for the berries 
are firm, yet juicy, fine-grained and tender, 
with a sweet, spicy, vinous flavor. The bunches 
are large, well-formed, with medium-sized 
purplish-black berries covered with thick 
bloom, making a very handsome cluster. 
While the vine and foliage somewhat resemble 
those of Clinton, one of its parents, the variety 
is not nearly so hardy, vigorous, or productive. 
Moreover, in any but favored localities in the 
North, the maturity of the crop is somewhat 
uncertain. These defects keep Secretary from 
becoming of commercial importance and make 
it of value only to the amateur. Secretary is 
one of the first productions of J. H. Ricketts, 
Newburgh, New York; the original vine came 
from seed planted in 1867. 

Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, variable in produc- 
tiveness. Canes numerous, light brown, conspicuously 
darker at nodes, surface covered with thin, blue bloom ; 
tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves small to medium, 
thin. Flowers semi-fertile, early ; stamens upright. 
Fruit ripens after Concord, keeps and ships well. Clus- 
ters large, long, cylindrical with a large, single shoulder, 
often loose and with many abortive fruits. Berries 
large, round, flattened at attachment to pedicel, dark 
purplish-blaclc, glossy, persistent ; firm ; skin tough 
with wine-colored pigment ; flesh green, juicy, fine- 
grained, tender, vinous, sweet ; good. Seeds free, large, 
broad, notched, long, dark brown. 

SULTANA. V. vinijcra. This variety was 
formerly the standard seedless grape in Cali- 
fornia for home use and for raisins, but it is 
now outstripped by Sultanina. The fruits of 
Sultana are possibly better flavored than those 
of Sultanina, but the vmes are hardly so vig- 
orous or productive, and the berries often have 
seeds. Sultana is not worth trying in the 
East, as the season is too short for the ma- 
turity of the crop. The description is com- 
piled. 

Vine vigorous, upright, productive. Leaves large, 
five-lobed, with large sinuses, light in color, coarsely 
toothed. Bunches large, long, cylindrical, heavily 
shouldered, sometimes not well filled, often loose and 
Bcraggly. Berries small, round, firm and crisp, golden- 
yellow, sweet with considerable piquancy ; quality good. 

SULTANINA. V. vinifera. Sultanina is 

one of the standard seedless grapes of the 
Pacific slope, grown both to eat out of hand 
and for raisins. Probably it can be grown in 
home plantations in favored parts of eastern 
America where the season is long and warm. 
The following description is compiled from 
California vitieulturists : 



vine very vigorous, very productive ; trunk large with 
very long canes. Leaves glabrous on both sides, dark 
yellow-green above, light below ; generally 3-lobed, with 
shallow sinuses ; teeth short and obtuse. Bunch large, 
conico-cylindrical, well filled, with herbaceous peduncles. 
Berries oval, t)eautiful golden-yellow color ; skin mod- 
erately thick ; flesh of rather neutral flavor ; very good. 

THOMAS. V. rotundijoHa. Thomas is a 
variety of Rotundifolia discovered in the 
woods near Marion, South Carolina, by Brew- 
ery Thomas about 1845. It has long been 
considered one of the standard Rotundifolia 
grapes for the South. 

Vine vigorous, healthy, very productive. Leaves 
cordate, rather large, longer than broad, thick ; margins 
coarsely serrate. Fruit midseason. borne in clusters of 
from 4 to 10, medium to large ; skin thin, dotted with 
pimples, varying in color from reddish purple to black, 
marked at the base with greenish-yellow ; pulp tender, 
sweet, vinous ; quality good to very good. 

TRIUMPH. V. LabruscaXy. vinifera. 
When quality, color, shape, and size of bunch 
and berry are considered. Triumph is one of 
the finest dessert grapes of America. At its 
best, the fruit is a magnificent bunch of golden 
grapes of highest quality, esteemed even in 
southern Europe, where it mu.st compete with 
the best of the Viniferas. In America, how- 
ever, its commercial importance is curtailed 
by the fact that the fruit requires a long sea- 
son for proper development. Triumph has, 
in general, the vine-characters of the Labrusca 
parent, Concord; it has Concord's habit of 
growth, vigor, productiveness, and foliage- 
characters, falling short of this parent in hardi- 
ness, resistance to fungal diseases, and earliness 
of fruit. While the vine-characters of Tri- 
umph are those of Labrusca, there is scarcely 
a suggestion of the foxy odor and taste of 
Labrusca, and the objectionable seeds, pulp, 
and skin of the native grape give way to the 
far less objectionable structures of Vinifera. 
The flesh is tender and melting, and the flavor 
rich, sweet, vinous, pure, and delicate. The 
skins of the berries under unfavorable con- 
ditions crack badly; the variety, therefore, 
neither ships nor keeps well. Triumph was 
grown soon after the Civil War by George W. 
Campbell, Delaware, Ohio. 

Vine vigorous. Canes long, dark brown with much 
bloom : nodes enlarged ; tendrils intermittent, long, 
trifid, sometimes bifid. Leaves large ; leaf usually not 
lobed with terminus obtuse ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, 
often closed and overlapping ; basal sinus absent ; lateral 
sinus shallow and narrow when present ; teeth deep, 
wide. Flowers self-fertile, late ; stamens upright. Fruit 
very late. Clusters very large, long, broad, cylindrical, 
sometimes single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender, 
smooth ; brush short, yellowish-green. Berries medium 
in size, oval, golden yellow, glossy with heavy bloom, 
persistent, firm ; skin thin, inclined to crack, adherent, 
without pigment, slightly astringent ; flesh light green, 
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous ; good 
to very good. Seeds free, 1-5, small, brown. 

ULSTER. V. Labrusca. The vines of Ul- 
ster set too much fruit, in spite of efforts to 
control the crop by pruning ; two undesirable 
results follow, the bunches are small and the 
vines, lacking vigor at best, fail to recover 
from the over-fruitfulness. These defects keep 
the variety from becoming of importance 
commercially or even a favorite as a garden 



260 



VERDAL 



WINCHELL 



grape. The quality of the fruit is very good, 
being much like that of Catawba ; under 
favorable conditions the grapes are an attrac- 
tive green with a red tinge. The fruit keeps 
well when the variety is grown under condi- 
tions suited to it. Ulster originated with A. J. 
Caywood. Marlboro, New York, and was in- 
troduced by him about 1885. 

Vine hardy, productive, overbears. Canes short, 
slender, dark brown, surface roughened and covered with 
faint pubescence ; nodes enlarged and flattened ; inter- 
nodes short ; tendrils intermittent, bifid, dehisce early. 
Leaves small, thick ; leaf usually not lobed with termi- 
nus acute; petiolar sinus medium to wide; basal sinus 
absent ; lateral sinus a notch when present ; teeth 
shallow, wide. Flowers self -fertile, early ; stamens 
upright. Fruit late midseason. Clusters long, cylindri- 
cal, often single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender, 
with numerous warts ; brush short, yellowish-green. 
Berries medium in size, round, dark dull red with thin 
bloom, persistent ; skin thick, tough, adherent, .istnn- 
gent ; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tender, fine- 
grained, faintly aromatic, slightly foxy ; good to very 
good. Seeds free, 1-6, medium in size, plump, irown. 

VERDAL. V. vinijcra. Aspiran Blanc, 
Verdal is one of the standard late grapes of 
the Pacific slope, its crop ripening about the 
latest. The grapes are seen but seldom in 
distant markets, and their quality is not quite 
good enough to make the variety a very great 
favorite for home plantations. Vigor and 
hardiness of vines commend Verdal. as do the 
large and handsome fruits, and these qualities, 
with late ripening, will probably long keep 
it on grape lists in the far West. The descrip- 
tion is compiled. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, and productive ; canes 
rather slender, half erect. Leaves of medium size, 
glabrous on both surfaces, except below near the axis of 
the main ner\e ; sinuses well marked and generally 
closed, giving the leaf the appearance of having 5 holes ; 
teeth long, unequal, acuminate. Bunches large to very 
large, irregular, long-conical, usually compact ; shoul- 
ders small or lacking. Berries large or very large, 
yellowish-green ; skin thick but tender ; flesh crisp, firm ; 
flavor agreeable but not rich ; quality good. Season 
very late, keeping and shipping well. 

VERGENNES. Fig. 
234. r, Labrusca. The 
most valuable attribute 
of Vergennes is cer- 
tainty in bearing. The 
vine seldom fails to 
bear, although it often 
overbears, and this 
habit causes variability 
in size of fruits and 
time of ripening. With 
a moderate crop, the 
grapes ripen with Con- 
cord, but with a heavy 
load from one to two 
weeks later. Vergennes 
is unpopular with vine- 
yardists because of the 
sprawling habit of the 
vines, which ruakea 
them untractable for vineyard operations; this 
fault is obviated by grafting on other vines. 
The grapes are attractive, the quality is good, 
flavor agreeable, flesh tender, and seeds and 




234. Vergennes. 
(X%) 



skin are not objectionable. Vergennes is 
the standard late-keeping grape for northern 
regions, and is common in the markets as late 
as January. The original vine was a chance 
seedling in the garden of William E. Greene, 
Vergennes, Vermont, in 1874. 

Vine variable in vigor, doubtfully hardy, productive, 
healthy. Canes long, dark brown ; nodes enlarged, 
strongly flattened ; tendrils continuous, long, bifid or 
trifid. Leaves large, thin ; leaf usually not lobed with 
terminus broadly acute ; petiolar sinus wide ; teeth 
shallow. Flowers semi-sterile, midseason ; stamens up- 
right. Fruit late, keeps and ships well. Clusters of 
medium size, broad, cylindrical, sometimes single- 
shouldered, loose ; pedicel with numerous small wartB ; 
brush slender, short, pale green. Berries large, oval, 
light and dark red with thin bloom, persistent ; skin 
thick, tough, adherent, astringent, flesh pale green, 
juicy, fine-grained, somewhat stringy, tender, vinous ; 
good to very good. Seeds free, 1-5, blunt, brown. 

WILDER. V.LabruscaXV. vinifera. The 
fruit of Wilder is surpassed in quality and 
appearance by that of others of Rogers' hybrids, 
but the vine is more reliable than in any other 
of these hybrid sorts, being vigorous, hardy, 
productive, and, though somewhat susceptible 
to mildew, as healthy as any. Wilder is not so 
well known in the markets as it should be, 
and, now that fungal diseases can be con- 
trolled by spraying, should be more commonly 
planted in commercial vineyards, especially 
for local markets. Wilder is one of the forty- 
five Labrusca-Vinifera hybrids raised by E. S. 
Rogers, Salem, Massachusetts, and was de- 
scribed first in 1858. 

vine vigorous, hardy, productive, susceptible to 
mildew Canes long, numerous, reddish-brown, darker 
at the nodes ; internodes long ; usually not lobed with 
terminus acute ; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, often closed 
and overlapping; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus 
shallow, narrow, or a mere notch when present. Flow- 
ers self-sterile, midseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit 
early midseason, keeps and ships well. Clusters variable 
in size, short, broad, tapering, heavily single-shouldered, 
loose ; pedicel long, thick, with numerous warts ; brush 
thick, green with tinge of red. Berries large, oval, 
purplish-black with heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skin 
thick, adherent to pulp, with bright red pigment, 
astringent; flesh green, translucent, juicy, tender; good. 
Seeds adherent, l-o, long, light brown. 

WINCHELL. 

Fig. 235. V. La^ 
brusca. Green 
M ountain. The 
vines of Winchell 
are vigorous, hardy, 
healthy, produc- 
tive, and the fruit 
is early, of high 
quality, and ships 
well — altogether a 
most admirable 
early grape. There 
are some minor 
faults. The berries, 
and under some 
conditions the 
bunches, are small, 
and the bunch is 

loose, with a large shoulder. Sometimes thia 
looseness becomes so pronounced as to give a 




235. Winchell. (X%) 



WOODRUFF 



WYOMING 



261 



straggling, poorly-formed cluster; and the 
shoulder, when as large as the cluster itself, 
which is often the case, makes the cluster 
unsightly. The grapes shell when fully ripe. 
Agam, while the crop usually ripens evenly, 
there are seasons when two pickings are needed 
because of unevenness in ripening. Lastly, the 
skin is thin and there is danger in unfavorable 
seasons of the berries crackmg. These defects 
do not offset the several good characters of 
Winchell, which make it the standard early 
green grape. The original vine was raised by 
James Milton Clough, Stamford, Vermont, 
about 1850. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, "healthy, very productive. Canes 
long, numerous, slender, dark f)ro\vn with thin bloom ; 
nodes enlarged, flattened ; tendrils continuous, sometimes 
intermittent, bifid. Leaves large ; lobes 3-5, with ter- 
minal lobe acute ; petiolar sinus deep ; basal sinus 
shallow ; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers fertile, mid- 
season ; stamens upright. Fruit early, keeps and ships 
well. Clusters long, slender, cylindrical, often with a 
long shoulder, compact ; pedicel short, slender, with few 
inconspicuous warts ; brush greenish-white. Berries 
small, round, light green, persistent, soft ; skin marked 
with small, reddish-brown spots, thin, tender, slightly 
astringent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, tender, fine- 
grained, sweet ; very good to best. Seeds free, 1-4, 
small, plump, wide and long, blunt, brown. 

WOODRUFF. V. Labrusca. Woodruff 
bears large, handsome, showy, brick-red grapes 
in large clusters, but taste belies looks, for 
the flesh is coarse and the flavor is poor. The 
variety would not be worth attention, were it 
not for its excellent vine-characters, the vines 
being hardy, productive, and healthy. The 
grapes ripen a little before those of Concord 
and come on the market at a favorable time, 
especially for a red grape. Woodruff origi- 
nated with C. H. Woodruff, Aim Arbor, Michi- 
gan, as a chance seedling which came up in 
1874. 

Vine very vigorous, hardy. Canes dark brown ; nodes 
enlarged, flattened ; tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. 
Leaves round ; leaf usually not lobed with terminus 
acute ; petiolar sinus wide ; basal sinus lacking ; lateral 
sinus shallow and narrow when present ; teeth shallow. 
Flowers semi-fertile, early ; stamens upright. Fruit 
ripening before Concord. Clusters broad, widely taper- 
ing, usually single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, 
thick, smooth ; brush long, pale green. Berries large, 
round, dark red, dull, firm ; skin thin, tender, adherent, 
slightly astringent ; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, 
tough, coarse, very foxy ; fair in quality. Seeds ad- 
herent, 1-5, broad, short, plump, blunt, brown. 

WORDEN. Fig. 236. V. Labrusca. Of 
the many offspring of Concord, Worden is best 
known and most meritorious. The grapes 
differ from those of Concord in having better 
quality and in being a week to ten days earlier. 
The vine is equally hardy, healthy, vigorous, 
and productive, but is more fastidious in its 
adaptations to soil, though now and then it 
does even better. The chief fault of the 
variety is that the fruit cracks badly, often 
preventing the profitable marketing of a crop. 
The fruit-pulp of Worden is softer than that 
of Concord, there is more juice, and the keep- 
ing qualities are not so good. Worden is very 
popular in northern grape regions both for 
commercial plantations and for the garden. 



It is a more desirable inhabitant of the garden, 
because of higher quality of fruit than Con- 
cord, and, under conditions well suited to it, 
is better as a commercial variety, since the 
fruit is handsomer as well as of better quality. 
Early season is against Worden, for a com- 
mercial variety, anil, with the defects men- 
tioned, prevents it taking the place of Concord 
to a great degree. Worden was originated by 
Schuyler Worden, Minetto, New York, from 
seed planted about 1863. 




236. Worden. (X%) 



Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canea 
large, thick, brown wi.h reddish tinge; nodes enlarged, 
flattened ; tendrils continuous, slender, bifid, sometimes 
trifid. Young leaves tinged on the under side and along 
the margins of upper side with rose-carmine. Leav,.'s 
large, thick ; leaf usually not lobed ; petiolar sinus 
wide, often urn-shaped ; teeth shallow. Flo%vi'rs fertile, 
midseason ; stamens upright. Fruit early. Clusters 
large, long, broad, tapering, usually single-shouldered, 
compact ; pedicel slender with a few small warts ; brush 
long, light green. Berries large, round, dark purplish- 
black, glossy with heavy bloom, firm ; skin tender, 
cracks badly, adheres slightly, contains dark red pig- 
ment, astriiigent ; flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine- 
grained, tough, foxy, sweet, mild ; good to very good. 
Seeds adherent, 1-5, large, broad, short, blunt, brown. 

WYOMING. V. Labrusca. Hopkins Early 
Red. Wilminglon Red. Such value as Wyo- 
ming possesses lies in the hardiness, produc- 
tiveness, and healthiness of the vine. The 
appearance of the fruit is very good, the 
bunches being well formed and composed of 
rich amber-colored berries of medium size. 
The quality, however, is poor, like that of 
the wild Labrusca in foxiness of flavor and 
in flesh-characters. Wyoming is not nearly 
so valuable as some others of the red La- 
bruscas hitherto described, and can hardly be 
recommended either for the garden or for 
the vineyard. The variety was introduced by 
S. J. Parker, Ithaca, New York, who states 
that it came from Pennsylvania in 1861. 

Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes 
numerous, slender, dark reddish-brown covered with blue 
bloom ; nodes enlarged, frequently flattened : tendrils 
continuous, short, bifid. Leaves of average size and 



262 WYOMING WYOMING 

thickness; lobes 1-3, with terminus acute; petiolar slender, pale green with brown tinge. Berries medium, 

sinus shallow, wide ; basal sinus usually wanting ; lateral round, rich amber red with thin bloom, persistent, firm ; 

sinus shallow and wide when present ; teeth shallow. skin tender, adherent, astringent ; tlesh pale green. 

Flowers sterile, raidseason ; stamens reflexed. Fruit translucent, juicy, tough, solid, strongly foxy, vinous ; 

early, keeps well. Clusters slender, cylindrical, com- poor in quality. Seeds adherent, 1-3, slightly notched, 

pact ; pedicel short, slender with small warts ; brush light brown. 



PART IV 
THE BRAMBLES 



CHAPTER XV 
BOTANY OF THE BRAMBLES 



A bramble is any plant of the genus Rubus. 
According to this definition, there are not less 
than 400 species the world over, and con- 
servative authorities describe that number to 
which more than 3000 species names have 
been applied. To add confusion to the 
classification of the brambles, there are many 
hybrids. Few of this vast number of species 
and hybrids are cultivated for their fruits, 
and not more than twenty or twenty-five are 
found in orchards and gardens. These culti- 
vated brambles pass under several group 
names, commonest of which are blackberry, 
dewberry, Himalaya berrj', loganberry, low- 
berrj', raspberrj', and wineberr>'. Less com- 
mon brambles are the cloudberry and salmon- 
berry. 

The fruits of brambles are known by all 
as berries. The berry of a bramble is an aggre- 
gation of drupelets, each drupelet a carpel. 
At maturity, the drupelets composing a berry 
are coherent in all pomological brambles. In 
blackberries and dewberries, the drupelets ad- 
here to the torus, which at maturity separates 
from the plant; this torus is the familiar core 
of these fruits. In the raspberr.v, the mass of 
drupelets separates from the torus, forming a 
hollow, thimble-like fruit. 

There are probably a thousand or more 
cultivated varieties of the several brambles. 
To classify the species and their varieties, 
some of which show but few and slight differ- 
ences, requires intimate knowledge of the 
morphological characters which can be used 
for classification. 

CHARACTERS USEFUL IN CLASSIFYINa BRAMBLE- 
FROTTS 

The plant. 

The canes of brambles, usually woody but 
sometimes herbaceous or semi-herbaceous, 
spring from perennial rootstocks. The first 
year's growth is a simple or slightly branched 
stem which bears leaves only. This yearling 
stem is the turion of the botanist, the sucker 
of the fruit-grower. The second year the 
turion becomes a cane and bears fruiting 
branches. The only exception to this manner 
of growth in cultivated brambles is the ever- 
bearing red raspberry, which bears fruit late 
in the season on the turion. 

The manner in which plants naturally 
propagate themselves offers a distinguishing 
characteristic for several species, and obviously 
is of much importance to the cultivator. Black 
raspberries, the purple-cane raspberries, dew- 
berries, and loganberries naturally reproduce 



265 



from tips which curve over and take root in the 
ground in the autumn. All other brambles, red 
raspberries and blackberries being the most 
conspicuous examples, reproduce from suckers. 
These are the natural habits of reproduction; 
the propagator may use layers and cuttings, 
and by special treatment may induce a species 
to change its natural method to suit his con- 
venience. Some brambles, as the blackberry, 
are largely propagated in the nursery from 
root-cuttings. 

In describing the stems of brambles, differ- 
ences in the turion and canes must be noted. 
The two structures often vary distinctly in 
habit of growth; one may be erect, the other 
drooping. They often differ in cross-section; 
the one may be cylindrical, the other angular. 
One may be pubescent or spiny, the other 
glabrous and spineless. The color of yearling 
and of the two-year-old wood, and the amount 
and character of the bloom may vary. With 
both, whether stocky or slender, the shape 
and the color are matters of major impor- 
tance. If the stems are angular, the surfaces 
of the faces must be noted, whether concave, 
convex, or canalized; the character of the 
angle, whether acute or obtuse, is sometimes 
important. The canes of the Mammoth black- 
berry are exceptionally thick and are covered 
with small spines. 

Especial attention must be paid to the color 
of the stems and to the bloom. The stems of 
cultivated brambles may be tints and shades 
of green, yellow, brown, red, and purple. 
These colors may be dull or glossy. The 
bloom is characteristic in many species in 
amount and in constancy, although the pres- 
ence or absence of bloom sometimes depends 
on the location of the plant. 

Presence or absence of armament and the 
character of the armament furnish information 
of capital importance in distinguishing species. 
All of the species of brambles are pubescent, 
prickly or thorny, while the shoots of some 
are both pubescent and prickly. One species 
of blackberry, R. MiUspaughii, Brit., is thorn- 
less, and there are thornless varieties of thorny 
species. In some species the prickles are of 
equal size and the same form; in others the 
prickles are of unequal size and of different 
forms. In the European raspberry the prickles 
are nearly straight and are slender; they are 
much stiffer in the American red raspberr.v; 
these structures are straight spines in the black 
raspberr>'; and are stout and curved in most 
blackberries and dewberries. It may be noted, 
also, that the spines or thorns are regularly 
arranged in some species and are not so in 



266 TEMPERATURE AND PESTS 



THE FRUIT 



others. Some species, as the American red 
raspberry, bear gland-tipped hairs or bristles 
on the flowering shoots. 

Temperature and pests. 

The different species of Rubus and their 
varieties vary greatly in their relation to heat 
and cold, and their response to these environ- 
mental factors must always be noted. The 
cultivated varieties of the several species of 
Rubus seldom thrive quite so far north or so 
far south as their wild prototypes, chiefly be- 
cause the wild plants find natural protection 
difiicult for the cultivator to give. 

The relation of the various brambles to in- 
sects and diseases is of rather less importance 
to both the systematic pomologist and the 
fruit-grower than with other plants, for the 
reason that insects and fungi are less trouble- 
some. But. even so, it is of importance to 
note characteristic immunities or susceptibili- 
ties. 

The foliage. 

The leaves of species and varieties furnish 
characters upon which specific divisions are 
often made. Thus the number of leaflets, the 
size, shape, and color are all very important. 
The leaflets of some species are smooth, ru- 
gose, plicate, or wrinkled. The colors of the 
upper and lower surfaces vary greatly; that 
of the lower surface is particularly to be 
taken into account. The pubescence on the 
surfaces, petioles, and margins differs greatly; 
in some species the hairs are glandular. The 
petiole and midrib are often armed like the 
canes. Sometimes the petiole is channeled and 
sometimes flat. The serrations of the margins 
are most serviceable taxonomic characters, in 
one species, R. laciniatus, being so laciniated 
as to give the name to the group. In other 
species the serrations may be fine, coarse, 
sharp, obtuse, and regular or irregular; or the 
teeth may appear in a single or a double series. 
These characters of the margin usually persist 
under cultivation. 

The time at which leaves appear and their 
color in the early spring are noteworthy, and 
information is easily obtained in fruit planta- 
tions. Possibly an even more important life 
event is the fall of leaves. Some cultivated 
species, as R. laciniatus, the cut-leaved or 
evergreen blackberry, are almost or quite ever- 
green. Some others of the blackberries and 
dewberries are nearly evergreen, all such being 
tender to cold. The Mammoth blackberry, 
the loganberry, and their several related sorts, 
are examples of this class. 

The flowers. 

The inflorescence is not so reliable for 
classification as several other structures, for 
cultivation seems to have modified the flowers 
in many species, and hybridization has caused 
great diversities. The inflorescence is a 
corymb or raceme, either of which may vary 
greatly in being long or short, dense or open, 
in having the peduncles entire or divided, few- 



or many-flowered. Pubescences, spines, and 
glands are almost as various as the species. 
The cluster may be naked or covered to the 
tip with leafy bracts. The peduncle may be 
erect, .spreading, or drooping. The length, 
size, and color of peduncle and pedicel are 
noteworthy, and note should be made as to 
whether they are glabrous, pubescent, or 
glandular. The angle the pedicel makes with 
the axis is a fine mark of distinction ; it may 
be acute, obtuse, or at right angle. The floral 
structures are of importance in the classifica- 
tion of species; pomologists, however, use 
them but little in classifying cultivated bram- 
bles. The date of bloom is of cultural as well 
as of taxonomic importance and must be taken 
into account. 

The size and color of the floral parts is 
easily noted and very constant, therefore of 
importance. A fine mark of distinction in 
species and varieties is the direction of the 
sepals after flowering. At the time of flower- 
ing, the sepals in nearly all brambles are re- 
versed; in some species they remain reversed 
until the fruits mature, but in others they 
change position, varying with the species from 
the reversed form through all stages to clasp- 
ing the fruit. The sepals vary greatly also in 
different species, in size, shape, and color, and 
may be pubescent or glabrous, glandular or 
eglandular. 

The form of the petals is constant in species 
of Rubus, but the color is rather variable. In 
cultivated varieties of a species, the color may 
vary from white to red, as is the case with 
R. laciniatus, the cut-leaved blackberry. In 
most of the cultivated brambles, however, the 
color is white in all varieties. 

The relative length and color of stamens 
and pistils, and their pubescent or glabrous 
condition, are facts of considerable botanical 
importance, but need seldom be considered by 
the pomologist. The western dewberries, R. 
vitijolius, often bear imperfect flowers, so that 
degree of sterility in their many hybrid off- 
spring should be noted by pomologists. In 
hybrid brambles, the pollen is often found to 
be shrunken or otherwise malformed. All who 
have worked with cultivated brambles must 
have noted in times of drought that there are 
many sterile or practically sterile flowers. 
Certain species and certain varieties of any 
given species are more susceptible to this de- 
fect than others. 

The jruit. 

Lastly, in the fruits, two characters impor- 
tant to the pomologist are the date of ripen- 
ing and the yield, both of which are of taxo- 
nomic importance. All species and varieties 
have a definite fruiting season, the beginning 
and end of which are life events to be noted 
in a full description of everj' variety. The 
fruits of some varieties are uniform in shape 
and size throughout the season, both matters 
of importance but too dependent on environ- 
ment to have much taxonomic importance. 
Yield, also, of utmost cultural importance, is 
too variable in accordance with climate, soil, 



THE FRUIT 



SPECIES OF BRAMBLE-FRUITS 267 



and care to be of great use in classification, 
but has significance with some brambles, 

As with all fruits, size, shape, and color of 
the product are about the most important 
characters to be taken into account in descrip- 
tions of varieties. The English vocabulary 
furnishes an abundance of easily understood 
words to characterize size, shape, and color, 
but the words must be chosen with care to 
present an accurate mental picture. The size 
and shape of the cluster must be noted, and, 
with some brambles, the size and shape of 
the drupelets in a berry should be described. 

With raspberries, it is a matter of consid- 
erable moment to the grower whether the 
berry adlieres strongly to the torus or readily 
parts from it. Smiilarly, it must be known of 
ever>' variety of blackberr>' how well the fniit 
clings to the pedicel; it should not cling too 
tightly nor, on the other hand, drop too readily 
as the crop ripens. 

If the size and shape of the cavity are out 
of the ordinary in raspberries, the fact must 
be recorded. The size and texture of the core 
of blackberries and dewberries must be ac- 
counted for, as a core too large or too hard or 
too soft, is undesirable. The shape of the 
core is of some importance in separating black- 
berries and dewberries; it may be conical or 
cylindrical, short or elongated. The core is 
usually white, but may be pink or reddish. 
The coherence of the drupelets varies with 
the species and often with the variety in 
brambles, hence is of taxonomic value and a 
character of importance in marketing the crop, 
since crumbly berries do not ship well and are 
not attractive. 

The color of bramble-fruits must be de- 
scribed with especial attention. The colors 
range from white through yellow, amber, and 
purple to black. There are almost innumer- 
able tints and shades of these colors, and it 
is most difficult to convey with accuracy the 
exact color. The drupelets may be bright 
and glossy or dull and clouded. A few fruits 
of the brambles have a well-marked and 
characteristic bloom. 

It is extremely difficult to describe the flavor 
of bramble-fniits, and yet no two varieties 
have quite the same taste. The usual words 
— sweet, sour, subacid, sprightly — are used, but 
always qualified by such adverbs as very, mild, 
and the like. Yet these mean little with ber- 
ries unless they possess some peculiarity, such 
as bitterness, muskiness, or richness. Some 
berries have an aroma that distinguishes them. 

The word texture is used much with drupes 
as with pomes, yet it is quite a different thmg. 
In the tree-fruits texture is a quality of the 
flesh, but in berries skin, flesh, seeds, and core 
give texture. Nevertheless, much the same 
terms are used in describing the texture as in 
the larger fruits; thus, the brambles are 
spoken of as coarse or fine-grained, tough or 
tender, hard, soft, or melting, and seedy or 
free from seeds. As with other fruits, berries 
may be juicy or dn,'. It is sometimes worth 
while noting the color of the juice. A state- 
ment must be made as to whether the seeds 



are large or small, hard or soft, and as to what 
the color is. 

Quality is rated as in testing other fruits. 
The characters that make the berries pleasant 
to the palate — flavor, texture, aroma, juiciness 
— give quality. Quality is described as poor, 
fair, good, very good, and best. Depending 
chiefly on quality, somewhat on texture, ber- 
ries are designated for use, the various uses 
being for dessert, kitchen, market, home, and 
evaporating. 

The description blank for the raspberry on 
the next page sets forth most of the characters 
students and fruit-growers will use in describ- 
ing bramble-fruits. 

SPECIES OF BR.\MBLE-FRUITS 

The genus Rubus confuses both botanist and 
pomologist. There are many species between 
which the differences are often slight and ob- 
scure; and species differ greatly in accordance 
with age of plant, locality, soil, season, and 
growth in sun or shade. Some botanists prefer 
to unite the many forms into a few generalized 
species, while others, fond of trivial distinc- 
tions, make many species. To confuse still 
further, brambles hybridize in nature and are 
easily hybridized by man, so that there are 
now some natural groups undoubtedly orig- 
inating in hybridization and many artificial 
groups have been so produced. Under cultiva- 
tion, natural species vary more than in the 
wild state, adding more difficulties to a close 
classification of the plants in this variable 
genus. These considerations must be weighed 
by the systematic pomologist, and a conclusion 
arrived at as to whether he will follow the old 
practice of dividing the genus into a few gen- 
eralized species or name and describe each 
distinct form. 

The second is the better method of classifi- 
cation, if knowledge or material is at hand to 
make use of it. The pomologist wants to 
know all that can be known of the plants he 
is cultivating, and a classification that takes 
into consideration all of the characters of 
brambles gives him the fullest knowledge. In 
that sort of classification many species are 
made. But in the present state of knowledge 
of Rubus, a close classification of the culti- 
vated forms/of the genus is impossible. Rasp- 
berries are less diverse in wild forms than 
blackberries and dewberries, and may be put 
in species with a fair degree of certainty, but 
it is impossible to classify with a high de- 
gree of satisfaction the last-named brambles. 
Much critical study must be given this genus 
by the botanist before the pomologist can 
harmoniously classify domesticated with wild 
forms. 

In the present state of knowledge, therefore, 
it seems best to attempt to describe fully only 
the cultivated species of raspberries, grouping 
blackberries and dewberries into two groups 
of distinct species, which have important char- 
acters in common. 

The score or more cultivated forms of 
Rubus come from temperate Europe and 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE RASPBERRY 



Name Plat 

PLANTS 

Characteristics 

Tall, medium, dwarf 
Vigorous, medium, weak 
Upright, spreading, drooping 

PROP. BY SUCKERS TIPS 

Hardy, half-hardy, tender 
Very productive, productive 
Medium productive, unproductive 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 
Insects 



SUCKERS 

Numerous, medium, few, none 

CANES 

Stocky, medium, slender 
Red, brown, yellow 
Green, gray, purple 

Dull glossy 

Pubescent glabrous glaucous. 

With glandular tips 
Spines or prickles 
Thick, medium, slender 
Strong, medium, weak 

Straight hooked 

Sharp blunt 

Numerous, medium, few, none 

Distribution 

Color 



LEAFLETS 

Number 

Large, medium, small 

Lanceolate, ovate, obovate 

Oval, oblong, wedge, roundish 
Upper surface 

Light, medium, dark green 

Dull glossy 

Smooth or roughened 
Lower surfacec 

Whitish, greenish 

Pubescent glabrous. 

Tomentose 



Single or double series 

Jagged, hairy 

Lobed, glandular 
Petiole 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 

Spiny prickly thorny. .. , 

Pubescent glabrous glandular. 

FLOWERS 

Date of bloom 

Season early, medium, late 
Large, medium, small 

White rose 

Glandular, pubescent, glabrous 



Row Date 19. 

PRTTIT 

Cliaracteristic? , 

Early, midseason, late 

DATE OF RIPENING , 

LENGTH OF SEASON , 

BORNE HOW 

NUMBER OF PICKINGS , 

KEEPING QUALITY , 

SHIPPING QUALITY , 

PICKING QUALITY 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 

Sun-scald , 

ADHERENCE 

Strong, medium, weak 

Large, medium, small 

Uniform or variable 

Retains size through season, drops 

Regular, irregular 

Long, medium, short 

Broad, roundish, conic 



BLOOM 

STYLES 



DRUPES 

Large, medium, small 
Numerous, medium, few 

Coherence 
Strong, medium, crumbly 
Whitish, yellow, amber 
Light, medium, dark red 
Purple, black 

Dull glossy. 

Juicy, medium, not juicy 
Tough, medium, tender 
Firm, melting, seedy 
Sweet, insipid, subacid 
Sprightly, sour 
High-tiavored, aromatic 

Quality 
Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 
USE 

Dessert, kitchen, market 
Home, drying 

DESIRABILITY 



REMARKS 



268 



RASPBERRIES 



BLACK RASPBERRIES 



269 



North America, but some prpmising forms 
now grow wild in temperate Asia, and several 
brambles furnish wild food in temperate South 
America. Even the tropics in the northern 
hemisphere are enriched by a few species of 
edible brambles, none of which, however, is 
cultivated. Rubus belongs to the order of 
Rosaceae and is closely related to the genus 
Rosa, from which it differs chiefly in the 
structure of the flower and fruit. 

Plants evergreen or deciduous ; shrubby, climbing, or 
running ; thorny, prickly or rarely unarmed ; variously 
pubescent or glabrous, sometimes glandular ; tips of 
canes usually recurving. Leaves alternate, petiolate, 
stipulate ; simple or compound, usually palmately lobed 
or palmately compound ; stipules free or jointed to the 
base of the petiole. Flowers sometimes solitary but 
usually many-flowered in corymbs or racemes ; white, 
pink, rose-colored or red ; calyx composed of a little 
cup with 5 persistent sepals crowning it ; petals 5, 
conspicuous, deciduous ; stamens numerous, inserted on 
the margin of the cup ; pistils many, inserted on the 
rising bottom of the cup, becoming juicy drupelets in 
all of the cultivated species. 

The genus naturally divides into several 
subgenera, of which the pomologist is inter- 
ested in but two. Idaeobatus, the raspberries; 
and Eubatus, the blackberries and dewberries. 

Id<eobatug. Red, purple, black, white or yellow 
raspberries, the fruit composed of coherent drupelets and 
coming loose from a moist torus ; the cultivated species, 
erect or ascendent shrubs ; flowers mostly in short 
clusters. 

Eubatus. Very dark red, black, or rarely white, 
blackberries and dewberries, the drupelets adhering to 
the torus ; cultivated species erect, trailing or climbing ; 
flowers panniculate or racemose. 

RASPBERRIES 

1. R. idoeu^, Linn. European Raspberry. Canes 
stiff and upright, light colored, glandular when young, 
beset with nearly straight, slender prickles. Leaves 
compound with 3-5 leaflets which are oblong-ovate, 
pointed, irregularly serrate, downy-white underneath, 
lateral ones sessile, usually more or less wrinkled. 
Flowers small, white, borne in long interrupted clusters ; 
peduncles dividing into 2 or 3 pedicels ; the flowering 
shoots as well as the petioles and midribs finely pubes- 
cent and sparingly furnished with firm, recurved 
prickles ; calyx velvety, sometimes with a few prickles ; 
petals as long as the sepals. Fruit oblong or conical, 
light or dark red, white or yellow, borne more or less 
continuously throughout the season. 

The European raspberry is a native of Eu- 
rope from Greece and Italy, north into Scan- 
dinavia and far eastward into Asia. It was 
named for Mount Ida, in Asia Minor, and was 
possibly more or less cultivated in southern 
Europe in ancient times, although a cursory 
search does not reveal statements to that 
effect. In England, Turner, the herbalist, in 
1538, says it grows in English gardens, and in 
1629, Parkinson, another herbalist, mentions 
both white and red varieties. 

This species furnishes the "European varieties 
of the cultivated raspberries, black and purple 
raspberries being scarcely known in the Old 
World. It was early brought to America by 
colonists from Europe, and prior to the middle 
of the nineteenth century was the only rasp- 
berry commonly cultivated in this country, as 
many as sixty-seven varieties being described 
in 1867. Pure-bred European raspberries are 
now practically driven from cultivation by 



the hardier, healthier, and more productive 
American species. No doubt there are some 
hybrids with American raspberries. The species 
is occasionally found wild in northeastern 
United States as an escape from cultivation. 
Antwerp, Fastolf, Franconia, Orange, and Ver- 
mont are typical varieties still found in an 
occasional garden in the United States. The 
species is propagated from suckers. 

2. R. strigosus, Michx. American Red Raspberry. 
This species is much like the last, and many botanists 
combine the two. They are separated, however, by sev- 
eral marked differences. Thus, the habit of growth of 
the American species is more open ; the canes are more 
slender, are darker in color, more glaucous, and the 
prickles are stiffer ; the leaves are thinner ; the flowering 
shoots, petioles and calyx are beset witli gland-tipped 
hairs and bristles ; the calyx is less pubescent ; the 
flower-clusters are more open ; the fruit is a lighter red, 
white- and yellow-fruited forms are much rarer ; and 
the tendency to fruit continuously is lacking. 

The species is common in northern United 
States and southern Canada, westward to the 
Rocky Mountains, and on the Pacific coast 
northward to Alaska. It is found also in 
Asia. The red species is hardier and ranges 
farther north than the black raspberry, with 
which it is often associated in northern United 
States. Cuthbert, Marlboro, June, and Loudon 
are typical varieties. Propagation is by suckers. 

Named varieties of the American red rasp- 
berry were not introduced until about 1860, 
although it now appears that at least two and 
possibly three varieties of this species had 
been passing for some years previous as off- 
spring of R. idcexis. The culture of this fruit, 
however, received its first impetus with the 
introduction of the Cuthbert in 1865. Po- 
mological literature contains records of no 
less than 150 varieties that have been intro- 
duced since 1860, although probably not more 
than forty or fifty kinds are now offered by 
nurserymen. 

Students of this variable genus have sepa- 
rated two or three other species and at least 
two botanical varieties from R. strigosus, of 
which but one other form, var. albiis, Fuller, 
is of importance to pomologists. This variety 
bears amber-white fruits, and to it have been 
referred some of the white-fruited varieties 
under cultivation. 

3. R. occidentnlis, Linn. Black Raspberry. Black- 
cap. Thimbleberry. Canes strong, erect, glaucous, not 
bristly, beset with hooked spines ; recurving and rooting 
at the tips. Leaves compound with 3 or rarely 5 leaflets 
which are ovate, pointed, sharply serrate and notched, 
white beneath ; petioles armed with prickles ; lateral 
leaflets usually stalked. Flowers borne in small, dense, 
prickly clusters ; petals shorter than the sepals. Fruit 
black or sometimes amber-white, rather small, hemi- 
spherical, firm ; ripens later than the red raspberry. 

The black raspberry ranges south from New 
Brunswick and southern Quebec to Georgia 
and Missouri, and westward to Oregon, Wash- 
ington, and British Columbia. A botanical 
form, var. pallidus, Bailey, with yellow-amber 
fruit, is sometimes found growing wild. This 
species is usually to be foimd in fence-rows, 
in copses, and along roadsides, a common and 
useful food-plant, although sometimes a pestif- 
erous weed in vast regions throughout the 



270 



PURPLE RASPBERRIES 



WINEBERRY 



extensive territory in which it is found. Gregg, 
Ohio, Kansas, and Cumberland are typical 
black raspberries. 

The first act toward formal domestication 
seems to have taken place in 1832, when 
Nicholas Longworth, an early horticulturist 
of note in Cincinnati, transferred a wild plant 
to his garden. The plant thus brought under 
cultivation was the Ohio Everbearing, a va- 
riety which long remained a standard. The 
growing of black raspberries can hardly be 
said to have become an established industry 
until after 1850, when H. H. Doolittle, Oaks 
Corners, New York, introduced the Doolittle, 
a vigorous, hardy, productive, large-fruited 
sort which was easily propagated from the 
tips of one-year-old plants. The spread of 
this variety, together with the discovery that 
black raspberries could be easily cured into 
dried fruits, did much to establish the culti- 
vation of this berry. 

The black raspberry thrives so remarkably 
■well under cultivation, the plants being vig- 
orous and productive, that until the beginning 
of the present century it was probably more 
widely cultivated than the native red rasp- 
berry. Its adaptability for evaporation, be- 
cause of firm flesh, and because the crop ripens 
in a short season, also gives stimulus to its 
cultivation. But fungus diseases, especially 
anthracnose, take so great a toll from the 
black raspberry, and evaporated fruit is giving 
way to the canned product so rapidly, that the 
black raspberry is now much less popular than 
the red, with the prospect that the purple-cane 
varieties will soon overtake the black sorts. 
Possibly no fruit is more easily improved, how- 
ever, than the black raspberry, seedlings of 
crossed varieties usually showing a large per- 
centage of improved offspring, so that the in- 
troduction of better varieties may give the 
cultivation of this fruit a new impetus. 

Varieties of black raspberries are readily 
propagated from the tips of canes, which are 
bent over and covered with earth, whereupon 
the tips take root. Tipping is done in north- 
ern latitudes about the middle or toward the 
end of August from young, healthy, and vig- 
orous plants. Cheapness of young plants, be- 
cause of ease of propagation, is a strong point 
in favor of the black raspberry. 

Purple Raspberries 

Purple raspberries are hybrids between na- 
tive red raspberries and black raspberries, 
occurring both naturally and under cultiva- 
tion. Therefore these purple varieties, of 
which some twenty or thirty have been under 
cultivation, need not be grouped in a distinct 
species, as they long have been under the 
name R. neglcctus, Peck; for, like other hybrid 
plants, they are a most variable race, their 
offspring sometimes being so nearly like one 
or the other parent as to be indistinguishable, 
and at other times being intermediates — quite 
too inconstant and mutable to pass as a single 
species. Whether or not the European red 
raspberry has ever been one of the parents of 



these purple sorts does not appear, but almost 
certainly it would cross with the black rasp- 
berr\' as readily as does the native red. Shaffer 
and Columbian are now the most prominent 
representatives of the purple sorts. These 
hybrid plants propagate either by tips or 
suckers, the former being the most common 
method. 

While exceedingly variable, sometimes re- 
sembling the black and sometimes the red 
parent, the purple varieties selected for culti- 
vation have fairly well-marked characteristics. 
The plants are more vigorous and more pro- 
ductive than those of either parent; the fniit- 
clusters contain more berries and are more 
open and straggling; the berries are larger and 
juicier and range in color from yellow to red 
and dark purple. While the named varieties 
of purple raspberries may usually be distin- 
guished as belonging to this group by the 
marks given, not all are so characterized; for 
example, Philadelphia, almost certainly a 
hybrid, and its numerous seedlings, are much 
more like the red than the typical purple 
plant, and the berries are very like red rasp- 
berries only of a darker color. 

The purple raspberries have been cultivated 
since 1835, in which year the Philadelphia was 
found wild near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
Shaffer, still one of the good commercial purple 
sorts, was found near Scottsville, New York, in 
1871. This type of raspberry has recently re- 
ceived a great impetus through the develop- 
ment of the canning industry, for the purple 
varieties are preeminently the best raspberries 
for canning, jams, and conserves. 

Oriental Raspberries 

China and Japan are now prolific sources of 
profitable horticultural plants, not the least 
of which are several interesting raspberries. 
These, although long known, acquire new and 
greater interest because of the possibility of 
hybridizing them with other brambles. The 
possibilities of hybridization have been made 
more apparent by the recent development in 
knowledge of the laws of hybridization, and 
by the introduction of several remarkable 
bramble hybrids. 

Wineberry. Fig. 237. 

The wineberry of the Orient, R. phos- 
nicolasiiis, Maxim, a native of the mountains 
of China and Japan, is an interesting orna- 
mental and food-plant introduced into America 
as the Japanese wineberry in 1889. It is a 
bushy bramble, attaining a height of six feet, 
the canes long, recurving, spreading, rambling, 
and covered with bright reddish-brown, glandu- 
lar hairs and weak prickles, which give it a 
characteristic appearance. The flowers are 
white, very small, and are borne in dense, 
hairy clusters, which in their turn spring from 
a large, loose, leafy panicle. The bristly and 
viscous calyx-lobes envelop the growing fruits, 
keeping them covered until they ripen, after 
which the calyx opens, showing a small, soft, 
insipid, whitish raspberry, that quickly be- 



STRAWBERRY-RASPBERRY 



CLOUDBERRY 



271 



comes cherrj'-red, The flavor is somewhat 
intermediate between that of the red and 
that of the black raspberries, but rather 
mawkish for most palates. Unfortunately, the 
canes are tender to cold and die down in the 
winters of the northern United States. The 
plants also are too unproductive for a com- 




237. Wineberry. (.XV2) 

mercial raspberry. The berries are handsome 
and, owing to their covering, suffer but little 
from insects and fungi. The wineberry is hardly 
worth growing for fruit, but is a handsome 
ornamental and may prove desirable as a 
parent in the production of hybrid brambles. 

Strawberry-raspberry. 

Another novelty among the many edible 
raspberries from the Orient is the strawberrj'- 
raspberry, R. illecebrosus, Focke. Thu plant 
has for many years been grown in greenhouses 
for its flowers, but was reintroduced from 
Japan a few years ago for its fruits. The ber- 
ries are so sour and bitter as to be almost 
unpalatable to eat out of hand, but when 
cooked the flavor is pleasant, reminding one 
of a mixture of strawberries and raspberries. 
The cooked product is a handsome garnet-red 
quite suitable for coloring sirup. In northern 
United States, the plant is herbaceous, freezing 
to the ground each winter, but throwing up 
a mat of bright-colored plants each spring. 
The plant is a dwarf, prickly, glabrous, semi- 
herbaceous bramble with brightly colored 
pinnate leaves and large, white, sweet-scented 
flowers. The berries are bright scarlet, borne 



singly or in clusters of two or three, and 
almost continuously throughout the season. The 
mat of plants is so dense that weeds are 
smothered. With its contmuous bloom and 
fruit, the strawberrj'-raspberry is a most at- 
tractive ornamental, with some value for its 
edible fruits. R. rosoefolius, Smith, is so sim- 
ilar as to pass under the same common name. 

Mayberry. 

Under the name Japanese Golden mayberry, 
a hybrid between the Cuthbert red raspberry 
and R. pahnatus, Thunb. was introduced by 
Luther Burbank, The plant is described as 
attaining a height of six to eight feet, and as 
bearing many large white blossoms which are 
followed by large, sweet, glossy, golden semi- 
transparent berries, ripening in advance of 
the strawberry. Introduced some years ago, 
the mayberry seems not to have grown in 
favor, as it is now seldom to be found. 

Golden Evergreen raspberry. 

This is a yellow-fruited species, R. ellipticus, 
Smith, from the Himalayas. It is a tall, up- 
right plant, densely beset with reddish-brown 
hairs, bearing yellow fruits the size of the 
common raspberry, which are said to be of 
very good quality. The species belongs in 
the far south, being naturalized in Jamaica, 
and is said to be the only raspberry under 
cultivation in southern Florida. It is a hand- 
some ornamental, recommended as a good 
covering for pergolas in southern climates. 

Some ten or twelve other known species of 
raspberries from eastern and central Asia pro- 
duce edible fruits. Undoubtedly others will 
be discovered and from time to time intro- 
duced for cultivation or for hybridization with 
raspberries now under cultivation. 

Little-knovm American Raspberries 

Several American raspberries other than the 
major species already discussed produce edible 
fruits, and may be found under cultivation 
as ornamentals or for their fruits. Hybridizers 
are making use of all of them with the hope 
of increasing their value as food-producing 
plants. 

Cloudberry. 

One of the fruits of high northern and arctic 
regions, but reaching as far south as the north- 
ern states of the Union, is R. Chamoemorus, 
Linn., which passes under various common 
names; as, cloudberry, bakeberry, yellow 
berry, salmonbeny, and molka. It is an her- 
baceous, creeping plant, bearing large white 
flowers in solitary terminal peduncles. The 
fruits are composed of a few large globular 
drupelets, red or yellow, and are much prized 
as a food by the inhabitants of northern re- 
gions and are gathered in large quantities. 
The cloudberry can be grown in the northern 
states in peat-bogs, cool places, and rock- 
gardens. 



272 



ARCTIC RASPBERRY 



NATIVE BLACKBERRIES 



Arctic Raspberry. 

The Arctic raspberry, R. artkus, Linn., grows 
in the same range as the cloudberrj', and pro- 
duces edible berries, which, however, are hardly 
so desirable as those of the cloudberry. 

Rocky Mountain flowering raspberry. 

Although not highly esteemed for its edible 
fruits, this raspberry, R. dcliciosus, James, of 
the mountains of Colorado, is so deserving 
to be known as an ornamental that it is in- 
cluded among hardy fruits. The plant is a 
compact, bushy bramble reaching a height of 
five feet, and bearing, on mostly single-fiow- 
ered peduncles, large pure white flowers in 
great profusion in early summer and through- 
out the season. The berry is hemispherical, 
purple or wine-colored, with large, soft 
drupelets similar to those of the red raspberry. 
The plants are hardy, but, unfortunately, are 
rather difficult to propagate. Whether or not 
this species will hybridize with any of the 
cultivated brambles seems not to be known. 

Flowering raspberry. 

The flowering raspberry of the East, R. 
odoratus, Linn., differs from the Rocky Moun- 
tain flowermg raspberry in aspect of plant; 
in bearing rose-purple flowers in the place of 
the white fiowers of the former; in that the 
peduncles bear several flowers instead of but 
one; and the fruits are broader, flatter and 
a lighter red. The species grows wild from 
Nova Scotia westward to Michigan and south- 
ward to Alabama. While its habitat is rich 
shady woods and rock banks, it thrives 
under cultivation, making a handsome orna- 
mental and producing handsome, pleasant- 
tasting berries. Unlike the western flowering 
raspberry, it is not difficult to propagate, as it 
spreads rapidly from the roots. This species 
has been hybridized with the red raspberry 
on the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experimental Station, but the offspring are 
sterile. 

Rocky Mountain thimblcbcrry. 

The western representative of R. odoratus is 
R. parrifiorus, Nutt, often erroneously called 
the salmonberry. This western form differs 
from the eastern species in bearing pure white 
flowers in few-flowered clusters. It is found 
wild from northern Michigan to the Pacific 
Coast and southward in the Rocky Mountains. 
It has the same pomological possibilities as 
tlie preceding species, although the fruits are 
rather better flavored, and are more commonly 
harvested from wild plants. 

Salmonberry. 

This species, R. spectabilis, Pursh, is a vig- 
orous-growing bramble, reaching a height of 
ten or twelve feet, and bearing showy red or 
purple fiowers one to two inches in diameter. 
Tlie fruits are large, salmon-color or wine- 
red, conical, and very pleasant for dessert. 
Its habitat is from California to Alaska, but 



it thrives in England, and would probably do 
so in many parts of eastern United States. 
The salmonberry is easily propagated from 
suckers; in fact, often becomes a pest on the 
Pacific slope. While the fruits are large, 
handsome, and pleasant to eat, they are not 
borne abundantly enough to promise much 
as a food plant, but possibly th'- species can 
be hybridized with a more productive bramble. 

NATIVE BLACKBERRIES 

The common garden blackberries are all 
derived from several native species, except 
two quite distinct varieties, the Oregon Ever- 
green and the Himalaya, as yet comparatively 
little known in commercial plantations, which 
are progeny of Old World species. As they 
were but recently domesticated, the number 
of varieties is not great, but, even so, because 
of great variability, they are classified with 
difficulty. There is an almost endless variety 
of wild blackberries, out of which botanists 
have made many species, and have variously 
defined the few species-types that have been 
given general recognition. Species cross and 
recross in the wild and in the garden. With 
present knowledge of Rubus, it is almost 
impossible to classify varieties with reference 
to the species from which they came; there- 
fore, in a pomological work, it is needless to 
describe the many species that are now rep- 
resented in cultivated blackberries. It is best 
to attempt only a brief characterization of 
well-recognized species-types from which 
pomological blackberries are derived. 

According to Bailey {Stan. Cyc. oj Hort., p. 
3031. 1916), who has given much study to 
pomological blackberries, the following species 
form the foundation of the flora of cultivated 
American blackberries. 

1. Rubus argutus. Link. Tlie prevailing group of 
wild blackberries in eastern America is represented by 
R. argutus which is widely distributed from Canada to 
North Carolina and westward to Iowa. Probably the 
greatest number of cultivated varieties came from this 
species, with which, however, are associated some four 
or five other species from which cultivated offspring 
have come. The plant is erect and stout with very 
prickly stiff stems ; leaves small or medium-sized, with 
short-pointed leaflets, the ribs and petioles thorny ; 
flower-clusters short and usually free from glands. 

2. Rubus floridus, Tratt. This is a taller growing 
blackberry than the former, with branches decumbent 
or recurving and beset with stout curved prickles ; leaflets 
mostly narrow and acuminate and more or less pubes- 
cent beneath ; the flower-clusters are loose and leafy 
with few flowers ; the fruits are elongated, with small 
drupelets. 

The habitat is from Virginia southward and 
westward. Two other species are probably 
associated with R. floridus. 

3. Rubus fromlosus, Bigel. The plants of this species 
are of but medium height, with canes erect or arched- 
recurving, and with stout, straight or slightly curved 
prickles ; the leaflets are broad, becoming glabrous 
above, velvety-pubescent beneath ; flower-clusters cylindri- 
cal, elongated, provided for more than half their length 
with ovate-oblong, petiolate, very persistent bracts ; 
pedicels scarcely or not at all glandular ; fruits sub- 
globose, falling before the bracts and witli rather few 
drupelets. 




Plate XIII. — Aoawam Blackbekky. 



EUROPEAN BLACKBERRIES 



DEWBERRIES 



273 



The habitat of R. frondosiis is from Canada 
to Virginia and westward to Kansas. At least 
five other species are given by Bailey as asso- 
ciated with this one. 



4. Rubus allegheniensU, Porter. This is a mountain 
blackberry of medium heigiit or tall, but more or less 
recurving, with the old canes purplish and armed with 
stout, slightly cun-ed prickles ; the leaflets are ovat«, 
often glandular, pubescent beneath ; flower-clusters 
mostly elongated but not leafy ; fruit generally sub- 
cylindric, rather small, with many small drupelets, and 
of very good flavor. 

White blackberries, usually amber-colored 
fruits, while occasionally occurring in other 
species, most often belong to R. alleghcniensis. 
The habitat is from Canada to North Carolina 
and westward to Illinois. A sport of this 
species with dry, abortive fruits is not un- 
common. Bailey names three other species as 
usually associated with this blackberry. 

5. Rubus canadensis, Linn. This is another mountain 
form easily distinguished by its tall, rather weak, 
usually thornless canes whicli are erect or recurving ; 
the leaflets are thin, gHbrous on both surfaces, and 
finely, evenly and sharply toothed : the flower- clusters 
are rather long, cylindric, leafy-bracted at the base ; the 
fruits are subglobose to short-cylindric and composed of 
large, juicy, somewhat acid drupelets. 

The species is a native of Canada and the 
northern states southward in the high lands 
to North Carolina. Bailey says that this 
species is apparently not represented in do- 
mestication, the so-called thornless forms being 
unarmed offshoots of normally thorny black- 
berries; a robust form, however, from the 
mountains of West Virginia, which in botanical 
characters scarcely differs from this species, 
and is included with it by most botanists, 
by others put in a separate species, R. Mills- 
paughii, Brit., is, on the grounds of the New 
York Agricultural Experiment Station, a most 
promising subject for domestication, and 
should receive the attention of pomologists. 

EUROPEAN BLACKBERRIES 

The three following species are exotics of 
little commercial importance in America; all, 
however, have been widely advertised, and, 
while probably never to become important as 
garden blackberries, are likely to be per- 
manently represented in America. All are 
quite distinct from native blackberries, be- 
cause of their perennial canes, and flowers 
usually borne on terminal shoots. 

6. Rubus thyrsanthus, Focke. Canes vigorous, sub- 
erect or decumbent or prostrate when very long, angled 
and grooved, thorny with flattened, declined or curved 
prickles, mostly thinly hairy or pubescent ; petioles and 
midribs recurved, prickly ; leaflets 3-.'>, thick, green 
above and white-tomentose beneath, sharply and mostly 
serrate-dentate ; flower-clusters thrysoid-paniculate. nar- 
row, short or elongated, sometimes compound, pubescent 
or lomentose, leafy ; fruit black. 

The species is an inhabitant of central Eu- 
rope, although much scattered by cultivation. 
According to Bailey, from whom the above 
description is taken, the Himalaya blackberrj', 
now much advertised and very generally dis- 
tributed in the United States, is probably 



referable to this species. If this is the case, 
it is also the parent of two interesting hybrids 
with Kittatmny, a native blackberry, made by 
J. M. Mack, Fallbrook, California, plants of 
which have been distributed by the United 
States Department of Agriculture. 

7. Rubus Linkianus, Ser. Canes angled and beset 
with many very strong and sharp hooked prickles, finely 
pubescent ; petioles and midribs strongly prickly ; 
leaflets 3-5, oval or elliptic and acute, strongly and 
doubly toothed, green and glabrous above, white- 
tomentose beneath ; flower-clusters short-paniculate, beset 
with strong prickles, more or less leafy, pubescent or 
tomentose ; flowers mostly double, white ; fruit black. 

The wild plant and the native country are 
unknown, the species being founded on garden 
specimens. Bailey, in the discussion of this 
species, says that a similar plant, not double- 
flowered, occurs apparently as a wild plant 
from Marj'land to Florida, from which the 
tree blackberry or Topsy, introduced some 
years ago for its fruit, seems to have come. 
The sand blackberry, R. cuncifolius, Pursh, 
growing in dry fields from Florida to Loui- 
siana, according to Bailey, has been confused 
with this species. 

8. Rubus laciniatus, Willd. Cut-leaved Blackberry. 
Evergreen Blackberrj-. Oregon Evergreen Blackberry. 
Plants vigorous, trailing, half-hardy, very productive ; 
canes long, the lower part perennial and becoming 2 or 
3 inches in diameter, dark red, few branches, with long, 
stout, somewhat recurved prickles. Leaflets 3, broad- 
ovate, divided into several linear, sharply toothed di- 
visions, ribs and petiole prickly, evergreen in mild 
climates. Flowers in terminal panicles, 1% inches in 
diameter, light pink or white, 8 to 10 inches long, 
open, leafy, prickly clusters. Fruit late, ripening over 
a long season, medium in size or small, black, of in- 
different quality. 

This blackberry is without doubt a native 
of Europe, but whether a distinct species or a 
cut-leaved form of another species is not de- 
termined. It seems to have been widely scat- 
tered at least as long as a century ago, and it 
is now a run-wild in several islands in the 
Pacific Ocean and on the Pacific slope of 
North America. It is grown for its fruit and 
as an ornamental in the regions named, but 
does not thrive in colder climates and no- 
where has great value as a commercial variety. 
Its very late and long season gives it im- 
portance for home plantations. The plants 
are deep rooted, hence probably more resistant 
to drouth than any other blackberry. The 
plants root at the tips, the chief method used 
in propagating. The canes are so heavily 
armed with thorns that picking is a most un- 
pleasant task. 

A variety grown more or less in New Jersey, 
variously known as Diamond, Black Diamond, 
Star, Wonder, Ewing Wonder, and Atlantic 
Dewbern,-, is probably a seedling of Oregon 
Evergreen. 

DEWBERRIES 

A dewbern.' is a trailing blackberry. Dew- 
berries ripen earlier than blackberries and 
they are further separated by the flower- and 
fruit-clusters. In true dewberries, the center 
flowers open first and the flowers are few and 



274 



DEWBERRIES 



DEWBERRIES 



scattered; in the true blackberries, the lower 
and outer flowers open first and the clusters are 
dense. This distinction in flower-clusters does 
not always hold, and there are also hybrids be- 
tween the two in which these characters are 
confused. A further distinction is found in the 
method of propagation. Dewberries, in nature 
or under cultivation, are propagated from tips, 
while blackberries naturally propagate them- 
selves from suckers, and under cultivation are 
propagated from suckers or from root-cut- 
tings. In the matter of propagation, also, 
there are exceptions, as the Evergreen and 
Himalaya blackberries, and several hybrids 
between the blackberries and dewberries are 
propagated from tips. There are many inter- 
mediate forms, making it difficult to separate 
the two fruits. 

Dewberries are American fruits but recently 
domesticated, for their cultivation as a com- 
mercial crop did not begin until toward the 
close of the nineteenth century, although 
named varieties go back to the middle of the 
century. It is hardly correct to speak of them 
as domesticated plants, for many of the varie- 
ties have been brought to the gardens from 
woods and fields, and in the garden they be- 
have more like wild than domesticated sub- 
jects — the most uncertain and unmanageable 
of all small-fruits. However, the dewberry is 
a most important addition to pomology, as the 
fruits ripen earlier, and are larger, handsomer, 
and better flavored than blackberries, while 
the plants are usually more productive. When 
hardier varieties have been selected, which 
at the same time are less capricious to soils 
and less dependent on cross-pollination be- 
tween varieties, the place of dewberries in 
home and commercial plantations will be es- 
tablished. At present, several species and a 
rapidly increasing number of varieties are 
under cultivation. 

Of the many species of blackberries and 
dewberries, from which cultivated varieties 
are certainly derived, pomologists distinguish 
four as dewberries. 

1. _ Rubus procumbens, Muhl. This species is char- 
acterized by woody canes several feet long, becoming 
prostrate, usually stoutly armed with recurved prickles; 
leaflets usually narrowed at the base, nearly or quite 
glabrous, membranaceous ; flowers in leafy racemes ; fruit 
Bubglobose to short-cylindric with tew to many large 
juicy drupelets. 

This is the dewberry of dry open fields 
from Maine westward and southward. Var. 
roribaccus, Bailey, is a well-marked subspecies 



from West Virginia, of which the plant is 
stronger, the flowers larger, with more elon- 
gated pedicels and with larger fruits. There 
are several cultivated varieties of the sub- 
species, of which the old and well-known 
Lucretia is the best representative. R. pro- 
cumbens is the most important type of dew- 
berry in cultivation. 

2. Rubus invisus, Brit. This species is similar to 
the last and seems to have about the same range. The 
canes are stouter, less procumbent, often making mounds 
or piles of canes and herbage, not so well armed ; leaves 
more coarsely toothed ; pedicels longer, and with large 
and leaf-like sepals. Several cultivated dewberries are 
derived from this species of which Bartel is best known 
and most representative. 

3. Rubu^ trivialis, Michx. Southern Dewberry. This 
species is quite distinct from 1 and 2 and so variable 
as to be most perplexing to systematists. Canes very 
long, usually wholly trailing, slender, armed, as are 
also the petioles and often the peduncles, with flattish, 
short, hooked prickles ; leaflets leathery, of three kinds, 
those on fruiting shoots rather small and nearly or 
quite evergreen ; peduncles 1-3 flowered ; fruit cylindri- 
cal with many drupelets which are sometimes dry and 
seedy but usually juicy and excellent. 

The habitat is from Virginia to Florida 
and Texas near the coast. Of the few varieties 
of this species under cultivation. Manatee is 
probably the oldest and best known. This 
is the common dewberry or running black- 
berry of the southern states, which often be- 
comes a pest, sometimes as an escape from 
cultivation. 

4. Rubus vitifolius, Cham. & Schlecht. Western 
Dewberry. California Dewberry. This species is char- 
acterized by trailing, sometimes erect, slender, pubescent 
canes with straight or recurved slender prickles ; 3-5 
evergreen leaflets, about 2 inches long, ovate, doubly 
serrate, exceedingly variable ; flowers often imperfect, 
the petals of staminate flowers longer than those of the 
pistillate ones ; fruit black, red in the loganberry, 
oblong, of medium size, sweet and pleasant ; the 
drupelets more or less pubescent. By some the species 
is separated into two because of variableness in the 
amount of pubescence on stems and leaves and in the 
size and shape of the fruit. 

The western dewberry is an inhabitant of 
California along streams and in moist places. 
Of the .several cultivated varieties belonging 
to the species, Aughinbaugh and Skagit Chief 
were long best known, but recent investigations 
show that the widely cultivated loganberry, 
long considered a hybrid between this species 
and the European red raspberry, is a cultivated 
form of this species. Laxton, Mahdi, Mam- 
moth (Lowberry of some). Phenomenal, and 
Primus are all hybrids with or pure-bred 
varieties from the western dewberry, which 
by virtue of these valuable offspring becomes 
a species of prime importance to pomologists. 



CHAPTER XVI 



VARIETIES OF RASPBERRIES 



Varieties of raspberries known to have been 
grown in America run into the hundreds, but 
the number now to be found in the nurseries 
of the country is surprisingly small. About 
50 red, 5 pui^ple. and 30 black sorts are offered 
in the catalogs of 1920, some of which in each 
group are barely mentioned. These numbers 
do not include a few sorts put out by experi- 
menters under number, or newly named, for 
trial. In this te.xt the varieties are arranged in 
two groups, the red and hybrid v.arieties in 
one, and the black raspberries in another group. 
It is now impossible to separate the red and 
hybrid, or purple varieties, the types having 
become hopelessly confused. Neither is it 
necessary to put the varieties of Old World and 
New World red raspberries in separate groups. 

Despite the small number of varieties of 
raspberries now under cultivation, the popu- 
larity of this fruit is not on the wane; on 
the contrary, the acreage is steadily increas- 
ing in proportion to the population. The de- 
crease in number of varieties is due to greater 
and greater specialization on varieties pre- 
eminently meritorious for berry regions or for 
distinct purposes. Possibly no field of po- 
mology offers greater opportunities in plant 
improvement than the brambles, and another 
reason for the small number of raspberries is 
that old sorts are being rapidly discarded for 
much better new ones. The march of progress 
in the introduction of varieties is so rapid that, 
without question, there will be a new list of 
cultivated brambles every few years. 

RED AND HYBRID RASPBERRIES 

ANTWERP. R. idceus. Red Antwerp. 
Antwerp is one of the oldest European varieties 
supposed to have come from the Island of 
Malta to Antwerp, Belgium. Nevertheless, 
it is still one of the best of its kind, and is 
more or less grown in various parts of America. 
Antwerp is a favorite on the Pacific slope, 
where it is often planted as a companion of 
Cuthbert. than which it is more productive. 
It is tender to cold and susceptible to crown- 
gall. 

Plants vigorous with long yellowish-gre^n canes, 
glaucous, tinged with purple ; beset with dark brown 
bristles ; bearing wood nearly smooth. Fruit early, 
large, conical, dark red, firm, rich and rather sweet ; 
quality good. 

BRANDYWINE. R. slrigosus. Susqueco. 
Wilmin^jion. This is one of the oldest native 
red raspberries, now discarded because of the 
weak and unproductive plants and rather small 



berries. The origin of the variety is unknown, 
but it was to be found in the markets of Wil- 
mington, New Jersey, in the middle of the 
last century. 

Plants erect, rather weak, tender to cold, unproduc- 
tive. Fruit early midseason, hemi.'jpherical, small, rich 
scarlet ; flesh firm, juicy, rather insipid ; quality fair. 

BRILLIANT. R. strigosus. This variety 
is comparatively new, and is grown com- 
mercially only in New Jersey and Delaware, 
where it has the reputation of being one of 
the most profitable red raspberries. It is a 
heavy yielder and is adapted to a variety of 
soils, which, however, must be rich. At 
Geneva, New York, the plants are not suffi- 
ciently hardy for a commercial variety. Bril- 
liant originated at Bridgeville, Delaware, and 
was introduced in 1901. 

Plants medium to tall, of medium vigor, upright or 
slightly drooping, much branched, very productive, with 
many suckers, lacking in hardiness. Leaflets rather 
small, yellowish-green, with characteristic tendency to 
lobe. Fruit early midseason, just before Cuthbert, 
rather small, hemispherical, downy, light bright glossy 
red ; drupelets of medium size, rather dry, mild and not 
particularly well flavored ; quality not above good ; seeds 
of medium size. 

CARDINAL. R. strigosus X R- occiden- 
talis. The preeminent merit of Cardinal is its 
adaptability to climate — it can be grown farther 
north and farther south than any other purple 
sort, and farther south than any other rasp- 
berrj-. The plants are very productive, vigor- 
ous and healthy, and yet Cardinal is not as 
much prized as Columbian and Shaffer in 
places where the three may be grown. It is 
a valuable sort for the Central West. The 
variety originated with A. H. Griesa, Law- 
rence, Kansas, in 1895, and was introduced in 
1898. 

Plants vigorous, very hardy to heat and cold, pro- 
ductive. Fruits large, uniform in size, broadly- 
hemispherical, rather dark purple, dull ; drupelets large, 
round, numerous ; torus large, smooth, releasing the 
berry readily ; flesh juicy, firm but tender, sweet, rich, 
aromatic, resembling in flavor the red raspberry ; quality 
good to very good ; seeds rather large. 

CAROLINE. R. idceus X P- occidentalis. 
At one time an almost universal favorite be- 
cause of berries of excellent flavor and long 
season of ripening, Caroline is now all but a 
lost variety. The peculiar salmon-color of 
the fruits attracts attention. The long season 
and the softness of the flesh kept the variety 
from becoming a commercial berry. Caroline 
originated about 1865 with S. P. Carpenter, at 
New Rochelle, New York, and is supposed to 
be a hybrid between Orange, a European red, 



275 



276 



COLUMBIAN 



EMPIRE 



and Golden Cap, a seedling of an American 
black raspberry. It may be propagated either 
by suckers or tips. 

Plants vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive, with 
light-colored, upright canes having very few prickles. 
Leaves very dark green. Fruit of medium size, orange- 
pink deepening to salmon color ; tiesh soft, juicy, sweet 
but sprightly ; quality excellent. 

COLUMBIAN. R. strigosiis X R- occiden- 
talis. Columbian is the most prized of the 
purple raspberries. It takes leading place by 
virtue of the large size, firm fJesh, handsome 
appearance, and high quality of the fruit; 
and the hardiness, healthfulness, and phe- 
nomenal productiveness of the plants. It is 
now more largely grown for commercial can- 
ning than any other raspberry, red, black, 
or purple; and. when canned, is superior to 
any other raspberry in appearance and flavor. 
Columbian is often compared with Shaffer, a 
much older variety. The fruit of Columbian 
is smaller, firmer, and hangs on the plant 
longer than that of Shaffer; the plants are 
more vigorous and more productive, and the 
fruiting season is later. Shaffer excels Co- 
lumbian only in greater hardiness of plant. 
Columbian originated from seed of Cuthbert, 
a red, growing next to Gregg, a blackcap; 
the seed was sown in the spring of 1885 by 
J. T. Thompson, Oneida, New York. 

Plants very tall, very vigorous, very productive, lack- 
ing in hardiness, upright-spreading ; canes numerous, 
tall and stout, round, dull reddish-brown, with numerous 
straggling, straight prickles. Leaflets 3, large, oval, 
rugose, glabrous, yellow-green above, greenish-gray and 
pubescent beneath. Flowers 12-16 in a long, open, 
leafy, prickly cluster. Fruit midseason, season long, 
large, broadly-round, dull purple ; torus small, releasing 
berry easily ; drupelets large, round, numerous ; tIesh 
firm, juicy, mild and sprightly, very aromatic ; quality 
good ; seeds rather large. 




238. Cuthbert. (XD 

CUTHBERT. Fig. 238. R. strigosus. Cmr- 
over. Queen oj the Market. Dainty Favorite. 
Cuthbert is the most commonly grown red 
raspberry in America. The preeminent meri- 
torious character which justifies its popularity 
is its freedom from local prejudices of either 
soil or climate. While best adapted to some- 



what sandy land, Cuthbert thrives on a wide 
range of soils, and is as hardy to cold and 
endures heat as well as any other red rasp- 
berry. The plants are healthy and productive, 
and the crop ripens evenly over a long season. 
The berries are of good red color, firm of 
flesh, and fine in flavor, — qualities which 
make it suitable for home and market alike. 
Cuthbert originated as a chance seedling on 
the grounds of a Mr. Cuthbert, Riverdale-on- 
Hudson, New York, and was introduced in 
1865. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright, medium number of 
suckers, hardy, not very productive ; canes long, numerous, 
round, yellowish-brown, with a few s.raight prickles. 
Leatlets 3-.5, of medium size, dull dark green, rugose, 
glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Fruit midseason, 
large, uniform, retains size well through the season 
conical ; color dull dark red, with light bloom ; drupelets 
small, numerous, juicy, firm, sweet, rich ; quality very 
good ; seeds rather small. 

EATON. R. strigosus. Alton Improved. 
Idaho. Iowa. In spite of several serious faults, 
Eaton is largely grown in New England be- 
cause of unusual productiveness and hardiness. 
The faults are: the berries crumble badly 
and do not separate easily from the torus; 
the flavor is too acid to be pleasant; the 
plants droop almost to the ground, making 
them hard to manage; and, except in New 
England, there are not enough canes to make 
the variety productive. Eaton originated as 
a chance seedling with Ulysses Eaton, Cam- 
bridge City, Indiana, in 1885. 

Plants medium tall, of moderate vigor, drooping, with 
a distinct tendency to branch, making few suckers, very 
hardy, productive" only in New England. Fruit mid- 
season, clings to torusand crumbles when picked, round- 
conical, the surface irregular and undulating, clear, 
bright, durable crimson ; pedicel slender, beset with 
prickles ; drupelets very large, broadly grooved ; flesh 
red, juicy, firm ; flavor rather acid with an agreeable 
aroma ; quality good for culinary purposes only ; seeds 
small. 

EMPIRE. Fig. 239. R. strigosiis. Empire 
is one of the most promising new red rasp- 
berries, having as its chief assets hardiness, 
productiveness, vigor of bush, healthiness, and 
large, handsome, firm, well-flavored fruits. 




239. Empire. (XD 

The plants need no winter-protection in New 
York; equal any other variety in productive- 
ness; and are unusually vigorous, reaching a 



GOLDEN QUEEN 



JAPANESE GOLDEN MAYBERRY 277 



height of six or eight feet. A peculiarity 
of the canes is that in mid-summer they are 
purplish-red, but become brown at the close 
of the season. The berries average larger 
than those of the well-known Cuthbert, and 
are about the same color, ripen a little earlier, 
and have a longer picking season. The fruits 
are mild, rich and sweet and may be ranked 
among the best in quality. The texture is 
firm and the berries stand shipment well and 
may be kept long. With such an array of 
good characters, it seems certain that Empire 
must take high standing among commercial 
red raspberries. Empire originated in 1904 
with L. E. Warden, Marlboro, New York. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright, with medium number of 
suckers, hardy, very productive ; canes smooth e.xcept 
for the few scattering, short prickles, stocky, long ; 
prickles short, few, becoming more numerous towards 
tlie base. Leaflets large, wide, thick, dark green, 
rugose. Fruit early midseason, clings well to the torus 
yet picks easily ; large, uniform, retains its size well 
to tlie close of the season, regular in outline, round- 
conical ; bloom slight ; drupelets small, numerous, with 
strong coherence ; color medium to dark red, glossy ; 
flesh juicy, firm, mild, high-flavored ; very good in 
quality ; seeds medium in size. 

GOLDEN QUEEN. R. strigosus. Gol- 
den Queen is a yellow Cuthbert, of which it is 
probably a seedling or a sport. In plant and 
berry, it is almost identical with Cuthbert, 
except that the berries are light yellow, some- 
times tinged with pink, are richer and more 
delicately flavored, and softer. The canes are 
a little paler in color and a little more sug- 
gestive of R. idceus. The variety was found 
by Ezra Stokes, Camden County, New Jersey, 
in 1882, in a field of Cuthberts. It thrives 
wherever Cuthbert thrives, and is a desirable 
raspberry for home use. The berries have 
the charm of individuality, which makes them 
highly prized by fruit-fanciers. 

HAILSHAM. R. idcBus. A few red rasp- 
berries fruit on the first year's wood in the 
late summer. These are the everbearing or 
autumn-fruiting varieties of the catalogs. 
Among the best of these is Hailsham, an 
English variety which is being grown some- 
what in California. The variety is described 
as very distinct in plant and berry. The 
plants are vigorous, with remarkably large 
leaves, producing enormous, hemispherical, 
dark red berries of excellent quality, and 
bearing the main crop in autumn. Picking 
must not be hurried, if color and taste are 
to reach the condition where nothing requisite 
is wanting. 

HAYMAKER. R. strigosus X R- occiden- 
talis. Haymaker is a comparatively old purple 
raspberry now being superseded by Columbian, 
and, even at its best, inferior to the older 
Shaffer. As compared with these two varie- 
ties, the fruits are smaller, resembling a black 
raspberry in size and shape ; more variable in 
color, a berry often being both light and dark 
purple; and inferior in flavor. Haymaker 
originated with A. P. Haymaker, Earlville, 
Ohio, about 1890. 



HERBERT. Fig. 240. R. strigosus. Her- 
bert is one of the best berries of its kind, 
yet many large beny-growers have not tried 
it, and few nurserymen list it. The pre- 
eminent merits are: great vigor and hardiness 
being rather hardier than the well-known 
Cuthbert ; comparatively few suckers ; and, 
most valuable of all, tremendous productivity, 
being nearly twice as productive as the old 
standard, Cuthbert. The season is about that 




240. Herbert. (XD 

of Cuthbert, but usually continues a few days 
longer. The berries are somewhat similar to 
those of Cuthbert, but are more sprightly in 
flavor, a little larger, rounder, and, unfor- 
tunately, a little softer. The fruits will not 
hold their shape quite as well as those of 
some other sorts; this is the chief, if not the 
only, point of inferiority in the variety. The 
berries, however, are firm enough to carry 
to nearby markets with ordinary care. Her- 
bert is a chance seedling found in the garden 
of R. B. Whyte, Ottawa, Ontario, about 1891. 

Plants vigorous but not so tall as Cuthbert, upright 
except when borne down by the weight of fruit, hardy, 
healthy, very productive ; canes intermediate in size and 
smoothness, numerous, dull red : prickles medium in 
length and number. Leaflets oblong-oval, dark green, 
rugose. Flowers large ; petals rather large, oval, taper- 
ing to short, abrupt claws. Fruit matures late, about 
with Cuthbert ; large to very large, broadly ovate, with 
medium to large, coherent drupes, dark red, juicy, soft 
under unfavorable conditions, pleasant flavored, sprightly ; 
good in quality. 

JAPANESE GOLDEN MAYBERRY. 

it. pahnatus K R- strigosus. This variety was 
described as follows in 1895 by Luther Burbank, 
the originator; 

"The earliest raspberry known. The berries are of a 
golden-straw color, as large as Cuthbert, and ripen 
before strawberries, and before the earliest of the stand- 
ard raspberries of the past have hardly awakened from 
their winter rest. The bushes are distinct from all 
others, growing like trees, 6-8 feet high, with spreading 
tops ; and all along the branches large, white, well- 
shaped blossoms are pendant, which are soon followed 
by the great, sweet, glossy, golden, semi- translucent 
berries. Tlie plants when well established, will surprise 
one with their abundance of fruit. The history of thia 
variety is as follows: 'Some ten years ago I instructed 
my collector in Japan to hunt up the best wild rasp- 
berries, blackberries and strawberries that could be 
found. Several curious species were received the next 
season, and among them a red and also a dingy yellow, 
unproductive variety of Rubus palmatvs. One of these 
plants, though bearing only a few of the most worthless, 
tasteless, dingy yellow berries I have ever seen, was 
selected solely on account of its unusual earliness, to 



278 



JUNE 



MARLBORO 



cross with Cuthbert and other well-known raspberries. 
Among the seedlings raised from this plant was this 
one, and though no signs of the Cuthbert appear, yet it 
can hardly be doubted that Cuthbert pollen has effected 
some of the wonderful improvements to be seen in this 
new variety.' " 

JUNE. Fig. 241. R. strigosris. Several re- 
markable characteristics of plant and fruit 
make June worthy of e.xtensive planting. The 
plants are as hardy and as healthy as those 
of its two well-known parents, Loudon and 
Marlboro, and are more vigorous. Com- 
paratively few suckers are produced, and these 
are little crowded, so that the plants are bet- 
ter able to mature their crop. The yield is 
heavy and is well distributed over a long sea- 
son, which begins the earliest of all of the 70 
varieties of red raspberries growing at the 
New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Geneva, New York. It ripens as no other 
raspberry does, in June, hence the name. The 
fruits resemble those of Loudon in color, but 




241. June. (XD 

are a brighter, handsomer red; they average 
larger and are more spherical. The product 
ships unusually well throughout the season, 
and is high in quality. June is the result of 
a cross made on the New York Station grounds 
in 1897 between Loudon and Marlboro. 

Plants vigorous, upright, few suckers, hardy, very 
productive, healthy ; canes stocky, nearly "smooth, 
roundish, often with considerable bloom ; spines straight, 
short, few in number and distributed almost entirely 
near the base. Fruit matures very early, keeps and 
ships well, adheres well to the bushes, easily picked ; 
berries very large, and holding their size unusually well 
until the close of the fruiting season, firm, with large 
drupelets, bright, handsome red resembling Loudon, 
mild subacid ; quality very good. 

KING. R. strigosus. In the Northeast, 
King, although hardy, is not so satisfactory 
as other standard sorts, but in West Virginia 
and westward through the Central West it is 
considered one of the best early red rasp- 
berries. King is one of the standard sorts in 
Minnesota. It is most productive on clay 
loams. King was grown from seed by T. 
Thompson, Richmond, Virginia, and was in- 
troduced in 1892. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright-spreading, productive, 
hardy ; suckers numerous. Leaflets rather small, some- 



what lanceolate, more or less pubescent on both sur- 
faces. Flower-cluster long, loose, leafy, with 8-12 
flowers. Fruit early, of medium size, light red ; re- 
ceptacle small, releasing the berry easily ; drupelets 
rather small, cohering poorly, the berries crumbling 
rather badly ; flesh soft, tender, with rather insipid 
flavor ; quality rather poor ; seeds of medium size. 

LOUDON. Fig. 242. R. strigosus. Long a 
dependable variety. Loudon is still one of the 
best red raspberries for the northern limits 
of this fruit, being hardier than Cuthbert or 




242. Loudon. (XD 

Marlboro, with which it must compete in 
raspben-y regions. The product is liked by 
canners, because it holds its color well. The 
fruits are not so good in quality as those of 
Cuthbert, and the plant is very subject to 
crown-gall or "knotty roots". Loudon is sup- 
posed to be a seedling of Turner crossed with 
Cuthbert, and originated about 1890 with 
F. W. Loudon, Janesville, Wisconsin. 

Plants of medium height and vigor, stocky, upright, 
very hardy ; with numerous canes. Fruit midseason, 
bright red, medium to large, somewhat larger than 
Cuthbert, conic ; drupelets large with a welt-marked 
suture, adhering so that berries do not crumble ; re- 
ceptacle of medium size, releasing the berry easily ; 
flesh firm, tender, juicy, moderately sweet, pleasantly 
aromatic ; quality good ; seeds relatively small, 

MARLBORO. Fig, 243. R. strigosus. 
Grown more or less in all the berry regions 
of North America, Marlboro is the standard 
early red raspberrj' in many parts of the East„ 




243. Marlboro. (XD 

along the shores of Lake Erie, and in Col- 
orado. In these regions the variety is prized 
for hardiness; productiveness; its very large 
berries, which average three-fourths of an inch,, 
and are often more than an inch in diameter; 
its handsome crimson fruits ; and because the> 
crop hangs on the bushes three or four days 
after maturity and is still marketable. Marl- 
boro originated with A. J. Caywood, Marl- 
boro, New York, in 1882. 

Plants of medium height and vigor, upright, hardy, 
very productive, with numerous canes; Foliage rather* 



MILLER 



ROYAL PURPLE 



279 



sparse on old canes and of a characteristic greenish- 
yellow color. Flowers early, large, 6-10 in a rather 
short, leafy, compact cluster. Fruit early, large, regu- 
lar, dark but bright red, conical, downy ; drupelets 
irregular, numerous, adhering well so that berries do 
not crumble ; receptacle smooth, releasing the berry 
easily ; tlesh firm, tender, juicy, mild and rather poor 
in flavor ; quality not above good ; seeds small. 

MILLER. R. strigosus. Mille/s Woodland. 
This is an old variety which was at one time 
very popular in Delaware, and is still grown 
there in small quantities. The origin was 
the same as that of the better-known Brandy- 
wine, which it greatly resembles, differing 
chiefly in earlier ripening of the fruit. Miller 
is being discarded because the plants lack 
vigor and are only moderately productive. It 
seems never to have been widely distributed. 

OHTA. R. strigosus X ? Ohta is a promis- 
ing new variety for the austere climate of 
the northern part of the Great Plains. On 
the grounds of the State Experiment Station, 
Geneva, New York, the fruits are too small 
and quite too tart to compete with June, 
Marlboro, Cuthbert, and their kind. Ohta is 
from a field of hybrid raspberries grown by 
Professor N. E. Hansen, of the South Dakota 
Experiment Station, Brookings, South Dakota. 
The plant was first noted in 1906, and the 
variety was distributed in 1912. 

Plants hardy in South Dakota without winter pro- 
tection, tall, vigorous, upright, productive ; canes nu- 
merous, rough with a tendency to peel, reddish-brown, 
with numerous slender spines. Terminal leaflet often 
lobed and tinted with red. Flowers 5-8 in a loose, 
leafy, prickly raceme. Fruit late midseason, hemisplferi- 
cal, of only average size, liglit red with slight bloom ; 
drupelets small, cohering ; receptacle smooth, releasing 
fruit easily ; flesh soft, tender, tart ; quality fair to 
good : seeds small. 

ONTARIO. R. strigosjis. Ontario has 
much to recommend it for commercial plan- 
tations to precede Cuthbert and to follow 
Marlboro, Perfection, and June. It is one of 
the most productive varieties ever grown on 
the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station, and the berries are so 
large, handsome, and well-flavored, and keep 
and ship so well, that it is certain to be a 
good commercial fruit. It was grown from 
seed at the New York Station, Geneva, New 
Y^ork, first fruiting in 1911, and was introduced 
in 1919. 

Plants medium to tall, very vigorous, upright- 
spreading, ver}' productive ; canes numerous, stocky, 
reddish-brown, "almost devoid of prickles. Fruit early 
midseason, very large, uniform and retaining size 
throughout the season, broad-conic, medium red ; torus 
small, smooth, releasing berries readily ; drupelets large, 
adhering so that there is no crumbling ; flesh firm, juicy, 
mild subacid, pleasantly aromatic ; quality very good ; 
seeds small. 

PERFECTION. R. strigosus. There are 
two Perfection red raspberries; one from Wis- 
consin, which is now grown little or not at all ; 
the other, a comparatively new variety from 
the great small-fruit district of the Hudson 
River Valley. The latter is the subject of 
this sketch. This variety, for the last few 
years, has been the best-liked sort in eastern 



New York because of great vigor, productive- 
ness, and hardiness. Some find the fruit a 
little soft and inclined to crumble. Perfection 
originated with A. H. Grefe, Marlboro, New 
York, in 1900 and was distributed in 1910. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright, very hardy and pro- 
ductive ; canes numerous, stocky, prickly, dull greenish- 
brown. Leaves on bearing wood very small, midrib 
spiny with a few glands at the base. Flowers 4-8 in 
a short, open, leafy, prickly cluster. Fruit early mid- 
season, large, regular, hemisplierical, dull, rather dark 
red ; torus large, nither rough, clinging a little too 
tenaciously to the fruit ; drupelets large, irregular, 
cohering weakly so that the berries crumble ; flesh a 
little soft, tender, sprightly, fair to good ; quality not 
above mediocre ; seeds small, 

RANERE. Fig. 244. R. strigosus. St. 
Regis. Introduced as an everbearing red rasp- 
berry, Ranere is chiefly valuable for spring- 
bearing, five-sixths of the crop being borne 
in early summer and the rest in the autumn. 
Aside from its being a double-cropper, there 
is not much to recommend the variety. The 




244. Ranere. (XD 

berries, while handsomely colored, are variable 
in size, running rather small, and mediocre in 
quality. The plants are hardy, but only mod- 
erately vigorous, and very susceptible to crown- 
gall. The variety was long grown in New 
Jersey bj' a colony of Italians, and was gen- 
erally distributed about 1912. 

Plants of medium size, vigor and productiveness, 
hardy ; canes numerous, slender, brownish-gray. Leaves 
rugose, glabrous above, pubescent beneath with a spiny 
midrib which is glandular at its base. Flowers 5-6 in 
a long, open, leafy cluster. Fruit early summer and 
autumn, rather small and variable in size, light red, 
hemispherical ; drupelets of medium size, round, cohering 
poorly, the berries often crumbling ; flesh rather soft, 
mild and insipid ; quality poor ; seeds small. 

RED ROSE. R. strigosus. Red Rose is 
said to be a cross between Cuthbert and 
Loudon, but it resembles the latter so much 
that it is hardly worth keeping the two dis- 
tinct, although its season is more nearly that 
of Cuthbert. The plant is very hardy, vigor- 
ous, and health}-, in particular being quite free 
from crown-gall. The berries are large, bright 
red, very attractive, but crumble too readily 
for a commercial berry, and are not of more 
than average quality. The variety originated 
about 1906, and was introduced in 1910. It is 
worth trying only where the Loudon is grown. 

ROYAL PURPLE. R. strigosus X R. pcci- 
dcntalis. While the berries are not so inviting 
in either appearance or taste as those of the 
standard Columbian, Royal Purple may have 
a place in commercial berr.y-growing because 
of the great hardiness of the plants and the 



280 



RUBY 



TURNER 



lateness of the ripening period. The crop 
ripens one to two weeks later than that of 
Columbian, and has a remarkably long sea- 
son, lasting until early blackberries are ripe. 
The variety originated with G. H. Giston, 
about 1898, at Bristol, Indiana. 

Plant vigorous, upright-spreading, very productive, 
very hardy ; canes of medium length, numerous, dark 
reddish-brown, with few thorns mostly at the base. 
Leaflets 3-5 ; very dark green above, light green and 
pubescent with spiny midribs below. Flowers 8-10 in 
short, open, leafy, prickly clusters. Fruit late, medium 
in size, broad-ovate, dull purple ; drupelets small, nu- 
merous, round ; flesh rather dry. firm, subacid, insipid ; 
quality rather poor ; seeds small. 

RUBY. R. strigosus. Ruby is a rather un- 
important seedling of Marlboro, which it re- 
sembles so closely as not to need a separate 
description. The plants are smaller and less 
productive than those of Marlboro, and the 
berries are smaller and not so attractive in 
appearance, although just as high in quality 
and a little less liable to crumble. The variety 
is grown only in the Hudson River Valley 
and in New England. It originated with L. E. 
Wardell, Marlboro, New York, and was in- 
troduced in 1903. 

SHAFFER. R. strigosus X R. occidentalis. 
Shaffer's Colossal. Shaffer is the oldest stand- 
ard purple raspberry, and was for many years 
the most prized. It is now being superseded 
by Columbian, which re.?embles but surpasses 
it, as noted in the discussion of that variety. 
It is still grown for canning in berry-canning 
regions. The propagation of Shaffer is mostly 
by tips, as it does not sucker well. The plants 
lack hardiness. The variety originated with 
George Shaffer, Scottsville, New York, about 
1871. 

Plants tall, very vigorous, very productive, lacking 
in hardiness ; canes long, numerous, reddish-brown, with 
numerous stray prickles. Leaflets 3, rugose, glabrous 
and dark green above, gray-green and pubescent be- 
neath. Flowers 12-14 in long, open, leafy, prickly 
clusters. Fruit late, large, dull purple, broadly 
hemispherical ; drupelets large, numerous, round ; flesh 
juicy, rather soft, sprightly, aromatic ; quality good ; 
seeds small. 

SUNBEAM. R. strigosus X. Sunbeam is a 
new and verj- hardy red raspberry which origi- 
nated with Professor N. E. Hansen of the 
South Dakota Experiment Station, Brookings, 
South Dakota. It is considered very promis- 
ing for the northern Great Plains region, where 
great hardiness and capacity to withstand sum- 
mer drouth are required. The variety was in- 
troduced in 1913. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright-spreading, productive ; 
canes very numerous, dull reddish-brown, with many 
sharp, slender prickles. Leaflets glabrous above, pubes- 
cent Ijeneath. terminal one lobed. Flowers 5-8 in short, 
open clusters with slender red prickles. Fruit late 
midseason, below the average in size, variable, hemi- 
spherical, dark red ; drupelets of medium size, cohering 
well ; flesh soft, too acid except for culinary purposes ; 
quality fair ; seeds small. 

SUPERLATIVE. R. idcem. Superlative 
is an old English variety, now grown wherever 
the red raspberry is cultivated, and regarded 
as a standard. Unfortunately the canes are 



not sufficiently hardy, vigorous, or productive 
for the eastern United States, but the variety 
is highly prized on the Pacific slope, especially 
near San Francisco. It was introduced in 
England in 1888, and was soon after brought 
to America. 

Plants rather dwarf, not very vigorous, productive 
only in certain localities, tender to cold ; canes slender, 
numerous ; typical of R. idiEus in leaf and flower. 
Fruit medium early, large to very large, conical, dark 
red, too dull to be attractive ; drupelets large, round, 
cohering so that the berry does not crumble ; torus 
small, rough and adhering too tenaciously to the berry ; 
flesh soft, juicy, rich, sprightly, pleasantly aromatic ; 
quality good to best ; seeds relatively small. 

SURPRISE. R. idceus. Early Surprise. 
Calijornia Surprise. This seems to be a most 
remarkable red raspbern.', which, so far as yet 
tested, thrives only in California, where it is 
becoming the most popular variety of this 
fruit. On the grounds of the New York Agri- 
cultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New 
York, the plants are so tender to cold and 
suffer so much from dry and hot weather that 
the variety is worthless. In California, the 
fruit is described as being very like that of 
Superlative, but the plant is very different. 
Thus, the plant has the remarkable quality of 
bearing fruit every month in the year in 
southern California; bears the first season set; 
is bushy and almost weeping; and is reported 
to be much more productive than that of 
Superlative. Surprise originated with D. W. 
Coolidge, Pasadena, California, about 1898, 
and was introduced in 1904. 

SYRACUSE. R. idcBus. This is a typical 
European red raspberry; the fruits differing 
little from those of Superlative, and the vines 
have the same general appearance. Where 
tried in the East, the plants are not sufficiently 
hardy, although hardier than other varieties 
of foreign descent, and lack in vigor and pro- 
ductiveness. Syracuse is, however, an excellent 
sort for the home garden. It originated as a 
chance seedling in a garden at Syracuse, New 
York, about 1900, and was distributed by 
Green's Nursery Co., Rochester, New York, 
about 1910. 

TURNER. R. strigosus. Southern Thorn, 
less. Red Thornless. Baldwin's Choice. Tur- 
ner is an old variety, now seldom found, but 
still grown for home use and local markets 
in some places where less hardy and less 
adaptable sorts fail. It has some remarkablo 
differences in plant and fruit from other 
varieties of this species, which make the ac- 
companying description worth printing in full. 
Turner originated with J. B, Turner, Jackson- 
ville, Illinois, soon after the close of the Civil 
War. 

Plants medium in height and vigor, rather unpro- 
ductive, spreading and drooping ; canes very numerous, 
very slender, branching much, almost thornless, reddish- 
brown tinged with purple. New leaves at tip of suckers, 
bronzed ; leaflets oblong-lanceolate ; upper surface ru- 
gose and pubescent ; lower surface greenish-gray, pubes- 
cent, midrib spiny and glandular. Flowers 7-10. in 
long open, leafy, prickly clusters. Fruits earlv. small, 
ovate, narrow ; cavity small, rough ; drupelets large. 



WELCH 



EUREKA 



281 



elliptical, cohering poorly so that the berries crumble ; 
flesh coarse, soft, tender, sprightly, aromatic ; quality 
poor ; seeds small. 

WELCH. R. strigosus. Welch is a variety 
grown somewhat generally in New Jersey, but 
apparently not grown elsewhere. It is prized 
for the extreme hardiness of the plant, and 
its large, firm, deep red, sweet berries, which 
ripen late and hang long. It is reported to be 
better liked than Cuthbert in some parts of 
New Jersey for commercial plantations. Its 
origin is not known. The author has not seen 
the variety, and material from which a tech- 
nical description can be compiled seems not 
to exist. 

BLACK RASPBERRIES 

BLACK PEARL. Fig. 245. Although a 
new variety, Black Pearl stands at the front of 
black raspberries. The plants are about all 
that could be desired in hardiness, healthful- 
ness, and productiveness ; while the berries 
are large and glossy black, very inviting in 
appearance, and of good quality, falling short 
only in being a little too variable in size. The 
season is early but somewhat short, the crop 
maturing a week or more earlier than the 
well-known Gregg. Black Pearl is in favor 
with evaporators, especially in cold climates, 
and where summer drouths parch the land. 




245. Black Pearl. (XD 

The variety was found as a chance seedling 
by Herman Krumris, St. Joseph, Missouri, in 
1905, and was introduced in 1907. 

Plants vigorous, upright, very productive ; canes nu- 
merous, stocky, dull brownish-red, with heavy bloom ; 
spines numerous, slender. Leaflets small, dark green, 
rugose, heavily pubescent beneath. Flowers early, 10-12, 
in short, close, leafy clusters. Fruits early, large, 
hemispherical, glossy black ; drupelets numerous, small, 
cohering strongly ; flesh firm, rather dry, sprightly, rich ; 
quality very good ; seeds small. 



CUMBERLAND. Until a few years ago, 
Cumberland was the most widely and com- 
monl.v grown black raspberry. Hardiness and 
productiveness of plant and large size and 
high quality of fruit were the assets which 
gave it supremacy. It is now hardly more 
popular than several other sorts, falling from 
former popularity chiefly because of suscep- 
tibility to anthracnose. It is grown more 
largely for shipping fresh than for evaporating. 
Cumberland originated with David Miller, 
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and after having 
been grown locally many years was introduced 
about 1898. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright, very hardy, very pro- 
ductive, susceptii>le to anthracnoso ; canes medium in 
number, light reddish-brown, with straight, stray 
prickles. Foliage typical of the species. Flowers 12-14, 
in short, close, leafy, compact, prickly clusters. Fruit 
midseason, large, conical, glossy black ; torus small, 
releasing the berry readily ; drupelets large, round ; flesh 
firm, juicy, sweet, rich ; quality very good ; seeds small. 

DIAMOND. Black Diamond. Introduced 
by C. W. Stuart & Co., Newark, New York, 
in 1896. Diamond made a fine record in west- 
ern New York for several years, but is now 
being discarded because the berries are small 
and variable in size. The variety was never 
much grown out of the region in which it 
originated. 

Plants tall, vigorous, spreading, productive, hardy. 
Fruits midseason, small, broadly liemispherical, ir- 
regular in shape, black with a tinge of red ; flesh firm, 
sprightly, fair to good ; quality good ; seeds large. 

DOOLITTLE. Joslyn. American Im- 
proved. Doolittle, once the most popular of 
all raspberries, was superseded by Soughegan, 
which, in its turn, gave way to Gregg, now 
pushed to the rear by Black Pearl and Plum 
Farmer. This was the first black raspberry to 
acquire prominence as a commercial fruit. 
The variety was exceedingly variable at first, 
acquiring fixity of type only after years of 
selection, and differed so little from the wild 
black raspberry that it is probable that Doo- 
little was not derived from a single plant, 
but from wild plants in general. The nam<^ 
at first represented not so much a variety as 
the method of propagation adopted by the 
originator, in which tips from one-year-oW 
plants were used. H. H. Doolittle, Oaks 
Corners, New York, was the originator of the 
method of propagr^ion, and years later a se- 
lected strain took his name. Doolittle is now 
seldom found, and its rarity makes a descrip- 
tion unnecessary. 

EUREKA. Eureka was at one time much 
prized as an early black raspberry, but is 
being cultivated less and less, although many 
nurserymen still find a demand for it. It has 
the fatal fault of having few canes, hence 
is unproductive, and the plants are multiplied 
only with difficulty. The variety originated 
with Jason Kester, New Carlisle, Ohio, about 
1885. 

Plants vigorous, up right -spreading, unproductive, 
hardy ; canes stocky, dark reddish-brown with numerous 



282 



GREGG 



KANSAS 



strong, straight prickles. Foliage typical of the species. 
Flowers 11-13, in short clusters. Fruit medium in size, 
hemispherical, irregular in shape, dull black ; drupelets 
small, numerous, oval, cohering strongly ; flesh rather 
dry, firm, sprightly ; quality good ; seeds small. 

GREGG. Fig. 246. Great Western. Hoosier 
Mammoth. Western Triumph. At one time 
the leading black raspberry, Gregg is gradually 
passing out. The plants are too tender for 
northern climates; too susceptible to the ills 




246. Gregg. (XD 

of the species; are not adapted to many soils; 
and do not mature in a short season. To off- 
set this list of faults, three meritorious quali- 
ties may be named: the berries are about all 
that could be desired — large, handsome, and 
of very good quality; the plants are very 
productive where they thrive; the fruit is 
one of the best for evaporating, a smaller 
quantity of fresh fruit being required for a 
pound of dried fruit than of almost any 
other variety. The original plant was found 
growing wild on the Gregg farm, Ohio County, 
Indiana, in 1866. 

Plants of medium vigor, tender to cold, productive, 
spreading in growth ; canes rather few, brown, glaucous 
with a few strong, straight prickles. Leaflets 3-5. dark 
green above, greenish-gray and pubescent beneath. 
Flowers 8-14, in short, close, leafy clusters on tips 
of the branches. Fruit late, large, broadly hemispheri- 
cal, black with tinge of purple and heavy bloom 
drupelets large, numerous, round, cohering strongly 
flesh firm, juicy, rich and highly flavored ; quality good 
Beeds small. 

HILBORN. Hilbom has many characters 
that commend it for commercial plantings, 
and was a prime favorite, and still is some- 
what of a favorite, in Ontario and parts of 
Ohio. The plants are vigorous, hardy, healthy, 
and productive, and the fruits are large, firm, 



and very good in flavor, ripening as second- 
early. Despite the list of merits, however, 
the variety does not rise far enough above 
mediocrity in the most essential characters 
to enable it to compete with several newer 
black raspberries. Hilborn was found on an 
old raspberry plantation on the farm of W. W. 
Hilborn, Leamington, Ontario, in 1886. Data 
are not available for a technical description. 

HONEYSWEET. Honeysweet is one of 
the newest candidates for commercial berry 
plantations. On the grounds of the originator, 
the variety makes so good a showing that 
several nurserymen are now putting it out as 
most desirable as a money-maker or for home 
plantations. Opportunity has not occurred to 
make a full description of plant and berry, but 
the following are their salient characters; the 
plants seem to be satisfactory in all the qual- 
ities requisite for a commercial black rasp- 
berry; the fruits are of large size, glossy black 
and of a distinct flavor, rich, very sweet, aro- 
matic, and very nearly perfect in the characters 
that constitute quality in black raspberries. 
The fruit ripens in early midseason and can be 
left on the bushes longer than that of most 
other varieties. The product is said to be very 
good for culinary purposes, requiring less sugar 
than other berries, and to evaporate well. The 
original plant was found as a chance seedling 
on the farm of A. B. Katkamier, Macedon, 
New York, in 1912. 

HOOSIER. Hoosier is a promising black 
raspberry for the Middle West. It is a selec- 
tion from a large number of seedlings grown 
to secure a hardy and disease-resistant variety, 
but, on the grounds of the New York Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, 
it is neither hardier nor more resistant to dis- 
eases than the average variety of its species; 
in fact, it is marked as susceptible to anthrac- 
nose. There the variety fails also in hot, dry 
summers. Notwithstanding the experiences 
noted, it is well spoken of by many. Hoosier 
originated on the farm of Johti Dunn, Pekin, 
Indiana, about 1895. 

Plants medium in size and vigor, productive, upright ; 
canes medium in number, rather stocky, dull reddish- 
brown with strong, straight spines. Leaflets usually 
3, large, dark green above, greenish-gray beneath. 
Flowers 10-12, in very short, compact, leafy clusters. 
Fruit midseason. large, hemispherical, glossy black ; 
torus small, releasing the berry readily ; drupelets large, 
numerous, round ; flesh dark red, firm, juicy, subacid, 
rich, with pleasant aroma ; quality good ; seeds large, 
hard. 

KANSAS. Fig. 247. Long a prominent 
commercial black raspberry, Kansas is more 
often and better characterized by its faults 
than by its virtues. Chief of the faults is 
susceptibility to winter-killing, although de- 
fective fruits, the berries being often imperfect 
and variable in size and shape, stand against 
the variety as markedly as the defect in the 
plant. Nevertheless, the variety finds favor 
and is largely grown, although it is being re- 
placed by Plum Farmer. The original plant 



KING OF CLIFFS 



SOUGHEAN 



283 



was a chance seedling on the farm of A. H. 
Griesa, Lawrence, Kansas, found in 18S4, and 
the variety was introduced in 1S91. 




247. Kansas. (XD 

Plants medium in size and vigor, upright-spreading, 
very productive, tender to cold ; canes numerous, stocky, 
reddish-brown, with many strong prickles. Leaflets 
usually 3, rather small, typical of the species. Flowers 
10-12, in short, compact, leafy clusters at the tips of 
branches. Fruit midseason, medium to large, broadly 
hemispherical, variable in size and shape, with many 
imperfect berries, glossy black ; drupelets rather small, 
numerous, round ; flesh firm, rather dry, subacid ; quality 
good ; seeds large, hard. 

KING OF CLIFFS. Several black rasp- 
berries have been introduced in recent years 
as everbearing. Perhaps King of Cliffs is as 
good as any, although one can only condemn 
it with faint praise as to other characters than 
everbearing. The plant resembles that of 
Cumberland, of which it is supposed to be a 
seedling. The berries are of fair size, jet 
black, and of good flavor. The variety was 
introduced bv Bradley Brothers, Makanda, 
Illinois, in 1905. 

OHIO. Aldcn. Before the coming of can- 
ning and quick transporation of fresh fruit, 
black raspberries were grown in great quanti- 
ties to evaporate, and Ohio was the variety 
best suited for this purpose, yielding more 
pounds to a bushel of fresh fruit than any 
other black raspberry, for the reason that the 
seeds are large and heavy and the flesh is 
firm and dry. With the decline of the evap- 
oration of berries, Ohio is passing out, al- 
though it is still grown where the drying in- 
dustry survives. The variety originated about 
1865 with Hiram Van Dusen, Palmyra, New 
York. 

Plants of medium size and vigor, productive, upright- 
spreading, hardy ; canes stocky, reddish-brown, numer- 
ous, with slender spines mostly at the base. Leaflets 3, 
small on the old canes, rather light green. Flowers 



9-11, in short, leafy clusters. Fruit midseason, hemi- 
spherical, dull black ; drupelets of medium size, oval, 
numerous, cohering weakly ; flesh firm, dry, mild sub- 
acid ; quality rather poor ; seeds large, hard. 

OLDER. Once popular in the Middle West 
and still under cultivation in Iowa and Minne- 
sota, Older is being discarded for newer and 
better varieties. The plant is described as 
especially hardy, very vigorous, withstanding 
drouth well, and as having a very drooping, 
almost trailing, habit. The berries are large, 
jet black, bloomless, of good but not high 
quality. The original plant was found in a 
garden of a Mr. Older, Independence, Iowa, 
in 1872. 

PALMER. Acme. Now almost lost to cul- 
tivation. Palmer was at one time the standard 
early black raspberry, and, in particular, was 
highly prized in parts of the Middle West. 
The plants, however, lack in productiveness, 
and the berries run small, so that Tyler, which 
ripens at the same time, was generally pre- 
ferred where both could be grown. The variety 
was introduced by F. L. Palmer, Mansfield, 
Ohio, in 1888. Data are not available for a 
technical description. 

PLUM FARMER. It is difficult to judge 
the merits of Plum Farmer, now in the first 
flush of popularity; but the indications are that 
it is to become one of the leading commercial 
black raspberries for eastern America. While 
the plants are preeminently vigorous, hardy, 
healthy, and productive, the chief merits are in 
the fruits, which ripen early, are large, beauti- 
ful, of high quality, and ship well. All in all, 
it is a fine new fruit. The first plant was 
found by L. J. Farmer, Pulaski, New York, in 
a shipment of raspberries from Ohio, about 
1892, from which introduction was begun in 
1895. 

Plants vigorous, upright, dense, hardy, very productive, 
healthy ; canes stocky, long, numerous, round, bright 
red, heavily overspread with dense bloom ; prickles 
large and long, thick, strong, straight, sharp, medium 
in number ; branches thick, long, numerous, reddish, 
densely coated with bloom, with internodes of medium 
length. Fruit early, easily picked, sliips well, one of 
the best to withstand severe drouth ; berries large, very 
black, covered with bloom, firm, uniform, sprightly at 
first, becoming mild at full maturit.v, juicy ; quality 
good ; seeds small, hard. 

SCARFF. A seedling of Gregg and at first 
called Improved Gregg, Scarff is well spoken 
of by growers in Ohio and Maryland. On the 
grounds of the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station, Geneva, New York, where 
the author has seen them, the variety is a 
failure, but the plants seem to have . been 
abnormal from the start. The plants are 
usually satisfactory, but it is the fruit that 
attracts particular attention. The berries are 
described as the largest of black raspberries 
and as of highest quality. The variety was 
introduced bv W. N. Scarff, New Carlisle, 
Ohio, in 1906. 

SOUGHEGAN. For many years Soughe- 
gan divided honors with Tyler, the two being 
almost identical, as the best early black rasp- 



284 



TYLER 



WINFIELD 



berry. The berries were small and poor in 
quality, so that with the coming of newer 
kinds Soughegan and Tyler gave way and 
are now seldom found. The variety originated 
with J. A. Carlton, Soughegan River, New 
Hampshire, in 1870. 

Plants of medium size, vigor, hardiness and produc- 
tiveness ; canes few, reddish-brown, with strong, straight 
prickles. Leaflets 3, the two lower ones often deeply 
lobed. Flowers 10-14, in short, compact, leaf.v, prickly 
clusters. Fruit very early, medium size, broadly hemi- 
spherical, variable in size and shape, glossy black ; 
drupelets numerous, small, round, cohering strongly ; 
flesh firm, rather dry, sweet, somewhat insipid ; quality 
rather poor ; seeds small, hard. 

TYLER. As has been said in the discussion 
of Soughegan, Tyler and Soughegan are al- 
most identical, although it is certain that they 
originated in %videly separated regions. Both 
are undoubtedly seedlings of Doolittle, which 
they much re.semble, and the place of which 
they took and long held as the best early 
black raspberries, — a place now filled by Plum 
Farmer. Tyler is thought to be somewhat 
hardier than Soughegan. It is still offered by 



a few nurserymen. The variety originated 
with Nathan Tyler. Auburn, New York, about 
1880. 

WINFIELD. Winfield has been rather 
widely distributed, and is offered by many 
nurserymen, but, as the description shows, has 
few good characters to recommend it. The 
berries are variable in size and shape, crumble 
in picking, are poor in quality, and are borne 
in compact bunches, which make picking diffi- 
cult. In the East, plants and fruits are a 
sorry sight in the company of good varieties; 
the variety may have greater value in the 
Middle West. Winfield was introduced by 
the Winfield Nursery Co., Winfield, Kansas, 
in 1908. 

Plants of medium size, vigor and productiveness, 
spreading ; canes medium in number, stocky, with 
strong, straight prickles. Flowers 11-12, borne in short, 
very compact clusters. Fruit midseason, small to 
large, hemispherical, exceedingly variable in size and 
shape, dull black ; adhering rather tightly to the torua ; 
drupelets large, few to many, round, cohering poorly 
so that the berries crumble ; flesh coarse, rather dry, 
firm, mild, insipid ; quality poor ; seeds large, hard. 



CHAPTER XVII 
VARIETIES OF BLACKBERRIES AND DEWBERRIES 



Blackberries and dewberries, long neglected 
by fruit-growers, are becoming more and more 
important in regions devoted to small-fruits. 
In the great Southwest — Texas and neighbor- 
ing states — the introduction and wide cultiva- 
tion of these two berries make them com- 
mercial fruits of first rank, while the wide- 
spread culture of the loganberry and similar 
varieties on the Pacific slope is one of the 
remarkable agricultural events of the age. 
In the East, there is possibly a falling off 
in the acreage of these brambles, but the in- 
troduction of many new varieties is likely to 
stimulate the lagging industry until it sur- 
passes its past magnitude. At present, nursery- 
men offer about 60 blackberries and 8 or 10 
dewberries, but each year sees new introduc- 
tions of both groups, so that, even with the 
inevitable discarding of old varieties, there is 
likely to be an increase from year to year in 
named sorts. 

The progeny of at least twelve species are 
to be found in the cultivated blackberries 
and dewberries of this continent. These have 
been crossed and recrossed until it is now 
quite impossible to classify varieties with 
reference to the species from which they 
came. An attempt might be made, if fuller 
knowledge of the species was available, but 
these exceedingly variable brambles still puzzle 
botanists, and the foundation upon which to 
begin classifying varieties is so poor that at- 
tempts at classification 
are not worth while. 
About all that can be 
done is roughly to 
group blackberries in 
one division and dew- 
berries in another, not 
an easy task, for the 
characters of the two 
fruits in the wild forms 
intermingle, and by 
crossing have been fur- 
ther confused under cul- 
tivation. Classification 
of cultivated varieties 
awaits a better classi- 
fication of wild forms 
than now exists. 

BL.ACKBERRIES 

AGAWAM. Fig. 248. 
For many years .\ga- 
i\-am was the most prized 
of early blackberries, 
and it is still widely 
248. Agawam. (XD grown, but not so com- 




monly found in commercial plantations as 
formerly. Productiveness of plant and high 
quality and earliness of fruit are the chief 
assets. The faults are: the plants suffer too 
much from winter-killing, and the berries run 
too small to make the variety wholly satis- 
factory. The variety originated with John 
Perkins, Ipswich, Massachusetts, between 1865 
and 1870. 

Plants of medium size and vigor, productive, upright- 
spreading : canes numerous, tender to cold, furrowed, 
dark reddish-brown, covered with strong, straight 
prickles. Leaflets 3-5, long, with a tapering apex, very 
pubescent beneath ; margin finely, sometimes doubly 
serrate. Flowers 1 inch across, 12-16, in long, open, 
prickly clusters. Fruit early, small, \ inch in length, 
broad-oblong, glossy black ; drupelets few, large, round ; 
core white, soft ; flesh rather soft, sweet and pleasant ; 
quality very good ; seeds of medium size, soft. 

ANCIENT BRITON. Without question 
the hardiest blackberry, Ancient Briton is a 
prime favorite in northern regions, Wisconsin 
and Minnesota particularly. The plants are 
very vigorous, very productive, and the ber- 
ries, while not large nor especially inviting 
in appearance, are of the best quality. It is 
an old sort and a well-established standard for 
commercial plantations. The origin of the 
variety is uncertain, but it came into promi- 
nence in Wisconsin in the sixties of last cen- 
tury. 

Plants medium in size and vigor, very hardy, very 
productive ; canes moderately numerous, roundish, brown, 
with numerous thick, straight prickles. Leaflets 5, 
palmate, oblong-oval, heavily pubescent above and be- 
low ; mar-in serrate and hairy. Flowers 1 M inches in 
diameter, 16-18. in a long, open, prickly raceme. Fruit 
medium to late, medium to large, long, rather narrow, 
tapering, glossy black ; core white, conical, soft ; drupe- 
lets large, numerous, elliptical ; flesh tender, juicy, 
sweet but sprightly ; quality good. 

BLACK^ DIAMOND. Atlantic. Emings 
Wonder. Star. Wonder. This variety, under 
its several synonyms, is offered by a number 
of nurserymen. It is listed as a dewberrj' by 
some, but it properly belongs with the Ever- 
green blackberry, with which it is so nearly 
identical that it needs no separate description. 
It is but half-hardy, and therefore of little 
value in the East, although it is rather com- 
monly grown in southern New Jersey, but 
even there every cold winter takes its toll. 
The variety is said to have originated with 
G. H. Liepe, Cologne, New York, early in 
this century. 

BLOWERS. The plants of Blowers are so 
capricious, responding to every diversity in 
season, soil, and climate, and so many of the 
berries are imperfect, even in locations suitable 
for the plants, that it is worthless as a com- 



285 



286 



DALLAS 



ERIE 



mercial variety. Nevertheless, many nursery- 
men offer it and report it successful in parts 
of North America. It originated with H. W. 
Blowers, Westfield, New York, about 1888. 

Plants tall, very vigorous, not hardy, productive ; canes 
moderately numerous, stocky, furrowed, reddish-brown, 
with numerous strong, straight prickles. Flowers IV^ 
inches in diameter, 8-10 in open, short, leafy clusters. 
Fruit midseason, ripening over a very long period, 1 
inch long, rather narrow, tapering, variable in size, 
glossy black ; core soft, conical ; drupelets large, variable 
in size, round ; flesh soft, sweet, mild ; quality good ; 
seeds rather large. 

DALLAS. Dallas is suppo.sed to be a 
blackberry-dewberry hybrid, although at 
Geneva, New York, it shows little if any dew- 
berry parentage. The variety has little to 
recommend it for the North, but seems to 
find favor in Texas and Oklahoma. It is a 
native of Te.xas, but where or when it origi- 
nated cannot be learned. 

Plants very vigorous, drooping, half-hardy, productive ; 
canes long, with numerous sharp spines. Leaflets 5, 
palmate, coarsely and deeply serrate. Flowers very 
large, 2 inches in diameter, 5-7, in long, open, leafy, 
prickly corymbs. Fruit early midseason, large, almost 
hemispherical ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet ; quality very 
good. 

DORCHESTER. Improved High Bush. 
Although introduced in 1850, this variety 
is still catalogued by a few nurserymen, and 
finds favor m scattered localities, mostly in 
New England. It is usually named as the 
first variety to have been cultivated. It 
might well be grown in competition with the 
.many newer kinds, were the vines hardier and 
more productive. The fruit is excellent. Dor- 
chester was first brought to notice at the Mas- 
sachusetts Horticultural Society in 1841 by 
Eliphalet Thayer, Dorchester, Massachusetts. 

Plants vigorous, upright, stocky, rather tender to 
cold, moderately productive, witli numerous strong 
prickles. Fruit early, of medium size, glossy black, 
elongated ; flesh rather soft, sweet, rich ; quality good. 

EARLY HARVEST. Fig. 249. One of the 

earliest blackberries to ripen its crop. Early 
Harvest is valuable onl.v for this reason. In the 
North, the plants are often winter-killed, and 
in the South, where they are verj' productive 
and ripen the crop extra early, they are sus- 
ceptible to rust. The variety is prized in 
parts of California. The original plant was 
found growing wild in Illinois some time 
previous to 1880. 

Plants moderately vigorous and productive, winter- 
kill in the North ; canes long, numerous, deeply fur- 
rowed, with strong, straight prickles. Leaflets 3-5, 
palmate, ovate-lanceolate, deeply and sometimes doubly 
serrate. Flowers li/^ inches in diameter. 8-10, in long, 
open racemes. Fruit early, ripening over a long season, 
medium in size, conical, glossy black ; drupelets round, 
numerous, rather small ; flesh tender, sweet ; quality 
good ; core soft, white ; seeds small, hard. 

EARLY KING. Early King ripens a week 
later than Early Harvest, being the second 
earliest blackberry. The plants lack in hardi- 
ness, and, like all early blackberries, are not 
very productive; to which may be added a 



third fault, susceptibility to blackberry-rust. 
The variety is worth growing only in mild 
eastern climates. 

Plants low, vigorous, half-hardy, moderately productive, 
prickles long and numerous, susceptible to rust. Fruit 
early, with a short season, medium size, glossy black, 
oblong-hemispherical, irregular, ripe as soon as black : 
flesh soft, very sweet ; quality good. 




249. Early Harvest. (XD 

ELDORADO. For many years Eldorado 
was the first main-crop variety to ripen ; it 
has, with other notable virtues, great hardi- 
ness and freedom from the blackberry-rust 
in the plant, and handsome appearance and 
exceptionally high quality in the fruit. Al- 
though an old sort, it is still much prized 
for home and market east of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, and in this great region fails only in the 
far South. The variety originated as an acci- 
dental seedling in Preble County, Ohio, about 
1880. 

Plants tall, vigorous, very hardy, productive, healthy ; 
canes numerous, with many large prickles. Flowers 1^ 
inches in diameter. 10-12, in long, open, very spiny 
racemes. Fruit early midseason, ripening period very 
long, elongated-hemispherical, jet black ; drupelets large, 
round, few ; core soft, white, conical ; flesh firm, juicy, 
sweet, rich ; quality very good ; seeds small. 

ERIE. Uncle Tom. With several charac- 
ters to recommend it, Erie has been long 
under general cultivation. The plants are 
very vigorous, hardy, productive, and free 



GIANT HIMALAYA 



KITTATINNY 



from the dreaded blackberr>'-rust. The ber- 
ries, when well grown, are extraordinary large, 
and the quality is good when the fruit is 
mature. Since, however, the berries remain 
hard and sour long after turning black, picking 
is often hurried, and this gives the fruit the 
reputation of being poor in quality. The 
original plant of Erie was found near Tall- 
madge, Ohio, about 1876. It is probably a 
seedling of the older Lawton, which it re- 
sembles. 

Plants of moderate height, very vigorous, hardy, pro- 
ductive, upright-spreading ; canes numerous, stocky, 
deeply furrowed, with straight, slender prickles. Leaflets 
palmate, large, ovate-lanceolate, pubescent on both sur- 
faces. Flowers very large, 1% inches in diameter, 8-12, 
borne in long, open, leafy racemes. Fruit midseason, 
large, cylindrical, tapering irregularly, glossy black ; 
core cylindrical, rather soft ; drupelets numerous, ratlier 
small, round ; flesh soft, juicy, sweet when fully ripe, 
rich ; quality good ; seeds of medium size, hard. 

GIANT HIMALAYA. Fig. 250. This 
much talked about berry is probably little 
removed from R. thyrsanlhus, an inliabitant 




250. Giant Himalaya. (XI ) 

of central Europe, which has found its way 
to various parts of the world, being re- 
christened as it was taken from place to place. 
As advertised in the United States it is the 
most pretentious cheat in the berry garden, 
yet in some respects it is a remarkable addi- 
tion to edible brambles, and therefore needs 
consideration. The name, it should be said at 
once, is misleading. The species probably 
does not grow in the Himalaya Mountains, 
although the story of its origin was that an 
English traveler brought seed for it from the 
Himalayas to Luther Burbank about 1898, 



from which the variety came. The variety, 
or its counterpart, has been known in Ger- 
many under the name Theodore Reimers. 

The plants are too tender to cold for northern regions. 
In the Pacific states, Himalaya is remarkable for the 
vigor and productiveness of the plants, but in mild 
climates in the East, regions soutli of Pennsylvania, the 
plants are very vigorous but almost barren. In all 
regions, the plants need cross-pollination^ and even so, 
produce many imperfect fruits. The berries at best 
are poor in quality and uninviting in appearance. The 
long, trailing, thorny, evergreen canes are almost un- 
manageable on trellis or stake. The value of the plant 
seems to lie in the possibilities it furnishes for liybridiza- 
tion. The several hybrids now known, of which it is one 
parent, promise much. Vigor and productiveness of 
plant are the characters for which it should be used in 
hybridization. 

HAUPT. Texas has enriched pomology 
with several notable blackberry-tlewberry 
crosses. Among these is Haupt, a name to be 
found rather commonly in lists of brambles 
for the Southwest, which seems to stand for 
three or four distinct crosses between the 
blackberry and the dewberry-. Catalogs offer- 
ing Haupt speak of fruit and plant in superla- 
tive terms, but until the several types are 
segregated, berry-growers cannot know what 
they are buying. The original plant, or pos- 
sibly plants, came from W. W. Haupt, Kyle, 
Texas, about 1898. 

ICEBERG. One of the few white black- 
berries worth trying. Iceberg is little more 
than a curiosity in the East, but has some 
value in California as a fruit for home use. 
At Geneva, New York, the plants must be 
protected against winter-killing. The variety 
originated with Luther Burbank about 1895; 
according to whom it is a third generation 
descendant from a cross between Lawton and 
White Crystal. The plant is described as 
much like that of Lawton, while the berries 
in California are said to be large, amber- 
white, soft, and of very good quality. 

JORDAN. Jordan is offered by several 
nurserymen in Texas, where the variety seems 
to find considerable favor. Outside of Texas 
it seems to be grown but little. The follow- 
ing description is made from plants on the 
grounds of the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station. Jordan originated with 
James Nimon, Denison, Texas, about 1895. 

Plants drooping or semi-trailing, moderately vigorous 
and productive, half-hardy. Leaflets 5, palmate, oval, 
coarsely and unevenly serrate, in a double series. Flow- 
ers large, 1% inches in diameter, 5-8, in long, open, 
leafy corymbs. Fruit midseason. large, glossy black, 
oblate, exceedingly variable in size and shape ; core 
hard, conical, rather short, white ; drupelets large, 
round : flesh rather soft, sweet but sprightly ; quality 
good ; seeds medium in size, hard. 

KITTATINNY. One of the first good 
blackberries, Kittatinny has an unbroken 
record of more than a half century as a 
standard commercial blackberrj' in the United 
States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Pos- 
sibly no variety has been or is more widely 
and largely grown. It equals the best repre- 
sentatives of its kind in quality of fruit, and 



2g8 



LAWTON 



RATHBUN 



therefore holds a welcome place in all home 
plantations. Two faults mar an otherwise 
excellent variety; the plants are not hard.v in 
cold climates, and are ver>- susceptible to rust 
where that disease is rife. Kittatinny comes 
from the mountains of the same name in New 
Jersey, and was introduced by E. Williams 
about 1865. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright-spreading, productive, 
half-hardy ; canes numerous, stocky, furrowed, reddish- 
brown, with long, strong, straight prickles. Leaflets 
largo, oblong-lanceolate, pubescent above and beneath. 
Flowers I'A inches in diameter. 6-8, in rather short, 
open, leafy racemes. Fruit early midseason, medium 
size, oblong, variable in size and shape, jet black ; 
core cylindrical, soft ; drupelets large, round ; flesh 
sweet, rich ; quality very good ; seeds small, soft. 

LAWTON. New Rochelle. Lawton played 
an important part in the early history of 
cultivated blackberries in America, and was 
the second variety of this fruit introduced. 
It is still grown rather widely on the Pacific 
slope and somewhat in the East, being es- 
pecially well liked for canning. It has lost 
commercial importance in the East, however, 
because the plants do not withstand cold well 
and are susceptible to rust. The fruit is not 
ripe until jet black, when the quality is of the 
best; picked too soon, as it often is, the berry 
is sour and bittei. Lawton was introduced 
by William Lawton, New Rochelle, New York, 
about 1848. 

Plants stocky, vigorous, productive, tender to cold, 
susceptible to rust, with numerous large prickles. Fruit 
late midseason, large, jet black, becoming bronzed when 
over-ripe ; core large and rather hard ; flesh soft, sweet, 
rich ; quality very good. 

McDonald. Fig. 251. McDonald is a 
blackberry-dewberry hybrid much grown in 
Te.xas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and other parts 
of the Southwest. The plants are said to be 
very vigorous, remarkably productive, wholly 
immune to rust, better able to withstand drouth 




251. McDonald. (XD 

than most other brambles, and to ripen their 
crop two weeks before the earliest blackberry. 
The canes trail the first season, but send up 
strong, drooping canes in succeeding years. 
To offset this list of virtues, a serious fault 
must be named: the variety is self-sterile 
and must be inter-planted with another black- 
berry' for a pollenizer. The berries are de- 
scribed as large, oblong, very good in quality, 



and as hanging in good condition on the 
vines for three or four days after ripening. 
From the accounts of all pomologists in the 
Southwest, McDonald seems to be a valuable 
acquisition. The origin of the variety seems 
not to be definite, but it came into prominence 
in the Southwest about 1912. 

MAMMOTH. Lowberry. Black Logan- 
berry. This is another blackberry-dewberry 
hybrid usually listed with blackberries. The 
parents are said to be Early Texas, a black- 
berry from Texas much grown in California, 
and the western dewberry, R. litijolius. Mam- 
moth thrives only on the Pacific slope, being 
too tender to cold for the East. The variety 
is remarkable for its enormous berries and 
its long, trailing vines, which sometimes at- 
tain a length of twenty-five or thirty feet. 
The canes are stout and covered with small, 
short spines; they grow upright several feet 
and then begin to trail. Eventually the tips 
take root; tipping is the method of propaga- 
tion. The leaves are semi-evergreen in Cali- 
fornia. The berries, while somewhat soft for 
distant shipment, are excellent for local 
markets and home use, being of high quality 
when fully ripe. Mammoth is much grown 
in California. The blossoms are self-sterile 
and the loganberry makes a good pollenizer. 

Two other varieties very similar to Mammoth are 
being olTered by nurserymen under the names Tribble 
and Cory. The canes of the latter are said to be 
thornless. Neither has been grown long enough to give 
sufficient opportunity to judge their merits. The 
variety came from a seedling grown by J. H. Logan 
with whom the loganberry originated. 

MERSEREAU. Mersereau has long beea 
a dependable variety for both market and 
home in the northern and eastern states. It 
fails in the South because of susceptibility 
to rust. Nurserymen complain that it is diffi- 
cult to propagate. Mersereau is a seedling of 
Snyder, long a standard, which it surpasses 
in vigor of plant and in size and quality of 
berry. The variety originated with J. M. 
Mersereau, Cayuga, New York, about 1890. 

Plants tall, vigorous, upright, hardy, productive, sus- 
ceptible to rust ; canes numerous, light red, furrowed, 
with long, strong, straight prickles. Leaflets 3-5, 
palmate, oval-lanceolate, pale hoary pubescence be- 
neath, with sharp narrow serrations in a double series. 
Flowers IV2 inches in diameter, 8-10, in short, compact, 
leafy racemes. Fruit late midseason, season short, large, 
oblong-conical, black, retaining color well after picking ; 
drupelets large, round ; core soft, conical, white ; flesh 
firm, but tender, juicy, sweet, rich ; quality very good ; 
seeds small, soft. 

RATHBUN. Fig. 252. In appearance, the 
berries of Rathbun are flawless, and the flavor 
is very good; but the plants leave much to be 
desired. They are only moderate in vigor 
and productiveness, sucker too sparingly, are 
susceptible to rust, winter-kill, being only 
half-hardy, and bear flowers which must be 
cross-pollenized. Rathbun is a blackberry- 
dewberry hybrid having the peculiarity of 
rooting "at the tips. Despite the list of faults, 
it is well liked in mild climates east of the 



SNYDER 



TAYLOR 



289 



Rocky Mountains. The variety originated 
with Alvin Rathbun, Silver Creek, New York, 
about 1885. 




252. Rathbun. (XI ) 

Plants of medium size and vigor, half-hardy, mod- 
erately productive ; canes few, angular, greenish, with 
straight, slender spines. Flowers 1% inches in diameter, 
3-7. in short, open, leafy racemes with a few prickles, 
sterile or nearly so. Fruit early, very large, somewhat 
variable, cylindrical, jet black ; core cylindrical, soft, 
white; drupelets large, round, numerous; flesh firm, 
juicy, sweet, ricli ; quality very good ; seeds large, soft. 




253. Snyder. (XD 

SNYDER. Fig. 253. The fruit is not in- 
viting in appearance and taste and turns red 
after picking, faults that condemn Snyder; 



but the plants rejoice in such vigor, health, 
productiveness, and hardiness that for seventy 
years the variety has been a standard. At 
the beginning of this century, Snyder was 
probably the best known of all blackberries, 
but several rivals in season now surpass it, 
so that its popularity is rapidly on the wane, 
although the variety is still to be found from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, except in the 
South. It does well on rather poor, light soils. 
The variety originated with Henry Snyder, 
La Porte, Indiana, about 1851. 

Plants tall, upright, very vigorous, hardy and pro- 
ductive ; canes numerous, stocky, rough, furrowed, 
reddish-brown, with many very large, thick, straight 
thorns. Leaflets mostly 5, palmate, ovate-lanceolate, 
narrow, pubescent above and beneath, apex acute, sharply 
serrate in a double series. Flowers 1 ^2 inches in 
diameter, 15-20, in long, leafy racemes. Fruit mid- 
season, season short, of medium size, glossy black ; core 
elongated, soft, white ; drupelets large, round ; flesh 
firm, sweet, poorly flavored ; quality poor ; seeds large, 

EOft. 

SORSBY. This variety is recommended by 
small-fruit growers in Texas and neighboring 
states, but finds no favor elsewhere. On the 
grounds of the New York Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station, the plants flourish like the 
biblical bay, but refuse to set fruit other than 
mere nubbins. The variety, even where it 
does well, is more or less self-sterile, and 
must be set with other sorts to poUenize it. 
It is said to be a dewberry-blackberry hybrid, 
which, in plant, closely resembles McDonald, 
although the berries are smaller than those 
of the latter variety but even more delicious. 
Sorsby is said to be taking the place of Early 
Harvest in parts of Texas. Except that it is 
a comparatively recent acquisition from Texas, 
nothing seems to be known of the origin of 
the varietj'. 

TAYLOR. Fig. 
254. Taylor has long 
been the favorite 
late blackberry with 
commercial berry- 
growers, and is prized 
also because it sur- 
passes most of its 
garden associates in 
hardiness of bush, in 
immunity to rust, 
and in quality of 
fruit. It falls short 
only in productive- 
ness, for it is but 
moderately produc- 
tive in many lo- 
calities. The plants 
are characterized 
by greenish -yellow 
canes, sometimes 
tinted with red. 
Although an old 
variety, having orig- 
inated with a Mr. Taylor, Spiceland, Indiana, 
in 1867, it is still one of the mainstays of 
commercial growers east of the Rocky Moun- 
tains. 




254. Taylor. (XD 



290 



TEXAS EARLY 



LOGANBERRY 



Plants tall, vigorous, very hardy, moderately pro- 
ductive, immune to rust ; canes numerous, slender, 
angular or nearly round, greenish -yellow, sometimes 
reddish, with numerous straight prickles. Leatlets 3-5, 
oblong-lanceolate, pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers 
9-15, in long, compact, leafy, prickly racemes. Fruit 
late, medium in size, thimble-shaped, glossy black ; core 
soft, white ; flesh rather soft, juicy, sweet, rich ; quality 
very good ; seeds of medium size, hard. 

TEXAS EARLY. Crandall. This variety 
is held in high esteem in California, where the 
fruit matures early and ripens during a long 
period. The high quality of the fruit also 
commends it. Crandall originated in Texas, 
but when, where, and by whom is not known. 
It was introduced in California about 1875 by 
J. R. Crandall of Auburn, New York, whose 
name it sometimes bears. 

Plants vigorous, upright, productive, hardy at Geneva, 
New York ; canes numerous, resembling those of Lawton 
very closely, as do the leaves. Flowers 6-8, in long, 
open, leafy,* prickly racemes. Fruit very early, ripening 
period long, large ; flesh firm, sweet, rich ; quality very 



WARD. As a favorite late blackberry in 
New Jersey, Ward was a few years ago more 
largely grown than any other variety, and is 
still one of the mainstays for a late crop. It 
seems scarcely to have found a foothold else- 
where, although it is occasionally mentioned 
in other states, in most of which it is grown 
rather poorly. Ward is a seedling of Kitta- 
tinny, which it resembles in almost every par- 
ticular, surpassing its parent in vigor, pro- 
ductiveness, freedom from rust and quality 
of fruit. The original plant was found grow- 
ing wild in New Jersey about 1900. 

WILSON EARLY. Few varieties have 
had their merits set forth in more laudatory 
terms than Wilson Early a generation ago. 
In many localities it was a mainstay for the 
early crop both for home and market. Al- 
though not generally grown now, the variety 
is still to be found in parts of the East, New 
Jersey being the state in which it is most 
prized. The plants are precariously hardy, 
not always productive, and bear many imper- 
fect flowers, most of which are more or less 
doubled. In some localities, the plant over- 
bears, and to prevent this it should be clo-sely 
pruned. Wilson Early is probably a black- 
berry-dewberry hybrid. The variety origi- 
nated with John Wilson, Burlington, New Jer- 
sey, about 1854. 

Plants upright or often semi-trailing, the trailing 
shoots rooting at the tips, medium in vigor, half-hardy, 
variable in productiveness. Leaflets, 3 to 5, broad- 
lanceolate. Flowe'-s 1^ inches in diameter, often 
double and imperf.;ct, 4-6, in long, open, leafy racemes. 
Fruit very large, ften irregular and imperfect, tapering 
toward the apex ; drupelets few, very large, round, 
variable in sii ^ • flesh firm, sweet, rich ; quality very 
good, 

DEWBERRIES 

AUGHINBAUGH, This variety is the chief 
representative of the wild western dewberry, 
R. vitijolius, and probably is the parent of the 
loganberry. Its culture is confined to Cali- 
fornia, whe^-e, before the advent of the logan- 



berry, it was much grown, but it is now rapidly 
passing from cultivation. The flowers are 
pistillate, requiring pollen from another variety 
to set fruit. The plant is described as unsatis- 
factor)', lacking in vigor and productiveness. 
The details of the origin of the variety are not 
known, but it has been in cultivation since 
1875, and is supposed to have been introduced 
by a man bearing the same name. 

B ARTEL. Bartel was the first dewberry to 
find favor with American pomologists. It 
was introduced by a Dr. Bartel, Huey, Illinois, 
about 1870, and, after the lapse of several 
.years and an expenditure of much high-flown 
"language in advertising, became widely estab- 
lished with berry-growers the country over, 
although never very commonly grown. The 
prostrate habit of growth seemed to be against 
it, as with all dewberries, but when it was 
discovered that the plants could be easily 
covered as a protection against winter-killing, 
the trailing habit became an asset rather than 
a liability. The variety may be occasionally 
found now, but it is becoming a rare sort, 
better dewberries having taken its place. 

GARDENA. Comparatively rare else- 
where, Gardena is held in high esteem in 
southern California, where it originated early 
in this century in the town of the same name. 
The plants are described as healthy, very 
productive, withstanding frosts well, and 
ripening their crop early and during a short 
period. The berries are said to be large, firm 
of flesh, rich and sweet in flavor, and, all in 
all, of highest quality. The crop ripens about 
ten days before that of the well-kiio\vn 
Lucretia. Gardena is supposed to be a seedling 
of Premo. 

LAXTONBERRY. Laxton. Crosses be- 
tween brambles are destined to play an im- 
portant part in the berry-growing of the 
future ; a dozen or more already have enriched 
pomology both as market crops and for the 
fruit-fancier. One of those of lesser im- 
portance, which has attained some prominence 
in England, and is grown somewhat on the 
Pacific slope, is the laxtonberry, a cross be- 
tween the loganberry and the Superlative red 
raspberry. This interesting hybrid, having 
much the habit of growth of the loganberry, 
is listed with dewberries. The berry is much 
like that of the loganberry in color and flavor, 
but separates from the receptacle somewhat 
like a raspberry. Its blossoms are not wholly 
self-fertile, and the variety must be planted 
in proximity to the loganberry or a red rasp- 
berry. 

LOGANBERRY. Fig. 255. Logan Black- 
berry. Now well past the first flush of popu- 
larity, the loganberry has taken a permanent 
place in American pomology as a distinct type 
of fruit. The new fruit possesses remarkable 
features in the plant which appeal to berry- 
growers, but it is the product which can be 
put profitably to more uses than any other 



LOGANBERRY 



MAHDI 



291 



variety of bramble, that makes the loganberry 
the most valuable pomological introduction of 
the present generation. The fruit of the 
loganberry is prized for the fresh-fruit mar- 
ket, being enticing in appearance and pleasing 
in flavor; it is handsome and delectable as 




255. Loganberry. (X%) 

processed in the canneries, therefore finds 
favor with canners; well ripened, the crop 
gives a large proportion of the dried product 
to the fresh fruit, so that it is in demand for 
evaporation; lastly, the fruit makes a delicious 
aou-jlcohoiic beverage, for which purpose it 
IS now more used than lor the other products. 
So far, the loganberry is successfully grown 
only in parts of California, Oregon anil Wash- 
ington where the temperature does not reach 
zero. The plants do not yield gracefully to the 
climates and soils of the regions east of the 
states named, succumbing to cold in the North 
and proving almost barren in the South. The 
largest centers of production at present are 
Sebastopol, California, and the great Willamette 
Valley of Oregon. Variously called a black- 
berry, a dewberry and a hybrid between the 
western dewberry and a red raspbcrrj'. the 
loganberry, by reason of its trailing canes, and 
habit of rooting at the tips, is probably best 
classified with the dewberries, it being, as most 
authorities now agree, a red-fruited variety of 
the western dewberry, R. vitifoUus. The 
original plant was discovered by Judge J. H. 
Logan, Santa Cruz, California, in 1881, and 
was considered a hybrid between the Aughin- 
baugh dewberry and a red raspberry, a theory 



untenable in light of recent investigations. 
Plant and fruit are sufficiently well described in 
the description of R. vitijolius, page 274. 

LUCRETIA. Fig. 256. Lucretia, which 

made its way slowly into popular favor, is now 
the best known and the most widely grown 
of all dewberries. It has attained this high 
place because endowed with a constitution 
fittmg it for a great diversity of soils, and for 




256. Lucretia. (XVs) 

a range in latitude from the coldest to the 
warmest in which dewbeiTies can be grown. 
The plants have the faults of being susceptible 
to anthracnose, and of producing many double 
blo.ssoms with resultant sterility. The quality 
of the fruit, while not the best, is good, but 
the large jet-black berries are more inviting in 
appearance than in taste. The original plant 
was discovered in West Virginia soon after the 
Civil War, but the variety was introduced 
from Ohio about 1876. 

Plants vigorous, trailing, productive, half-hard.v, re- 
quiring winter protection ; canes slender, long, numer- 
ous, round, greenish-brown, 
with strong, rather blunt 
prickles. Leaflets 3-5, some- 
times 7. oval, variable in 
shape, pubescent above and 
beneath, coarsely serrate. 
Flowers nearly 2 inches in 
diameter, 3-5, in short, 
open, leafy, prickly co- 
rymbs. Fruit early mid- 
season, large, cylindrical, 
tapering slightlv, jet black ; 
core long, conical, soft ; 
drupelets large, round ; 
flesh firm, juicy, sweet, 
rich : quality good ; seeds 
large, soft. 

MAHDI. Fig. 257. 
Like the laxtonberry, 
Mahdi is a cross be- 
tween the loganberry 
and a raspberry. It is 
still on probation, al- 
though the consensus 




257. Mahdi. (XVs) 



292 



MAYES 



PRIMUS 



of opinion among those who have tried it 
is that it gives little promise for any pur- 
pose. It is said to ripen its fruit later than 
the loganberry. On the grounds of the New 
York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, it responds to climate and sml 
rather better than any other bramble of its 
type, but even so is of little value, and does 
not merit a detailed description. 

MAYES. Fig. 258. Austin Improved. The 
dewberrj- and hybrids between it and the 
blackberry seem to be favorite small-fruits in 
Texas. Of the many dewberries and dewberry- 
like brambles in that state, Mayes is the 
leading variety. It seems to be comparatively 
rare elsewhere, although earliness and produc- 




258. Mayes. (XVs) 



tiveness commend it. The berries are hand- 
some and of excellent quality, but fail as com- 
mercial fruits because too soft to ship well. 
The canes are vigorous and productive, but 
subject to anthracnose and double-blossom. 
The fruit ripens about a week before that of 
Lucretia. The plants may be propagated 
either by tips or root-cuttings. The original 
plant was found growing wild in Texas by 
John Mayes about 1880. 

Plants vigorous, productive, subject to anthracnose and 
double-blossom ; cines trailing, long, slender, numerous. 
Leaflets 3-5, mostly sessile, varialjle in size, coarsely 
serrate in a double series. Flowers IV2 inclies in 
diameter, 4-6 in axils of leaves and terminal. Fruit 
early, large, conical, broad at the base, jet black ; 
core medium to soft ; drupelets very large, round ; flesh 
firm, juicy, sprightly ; quality very good ; seeds rather 
large, soft. 



PHENOMENAL. This is a new fruit of 
the loganberry type, introduced by Luther 
Burbank as a cross between a variety of the 
western dewberry and Cuthbert red raspberry. 
Whether a cross or not, it is so similar to the 
loganberiy, an offspring of the western dew- 
beiTy, that it is u.sually chussed with it; it 
may surpass it in some trivial characters, but 
according to all reports, is outmatched in im- 
portant ones. Phenomenal is of small impor- 
tance in loganberry districts, except about Los 
Angeles, California, where it is grown by some 
in preference to the older sort. The great 
drawback to its culture seems to be that the 
plants are dwarfed by a disease which cuts 
their life to but three or four profitable sea- 
sons. The berries, also, are subject to dou- 
bling, which disfigures them for the market. 
The essential difference in normal plants of 
the two varieties are: the canes of Phenomenal 
are a little hardier; the blossoms open a few 
days later; the berries are a little larger; and, 
while the flavor of the fruits of the two is 
similar, the juice of the loganberry makes the 
better beverage, the fruit of both being used 
most largely for their juice. The variety was 
introduced in 1912. 

PREMO. Except for a few trivial differ- 
ences, Premo might be said to be an early 
Lucretia, and is either a sport or a seedling 
from that variety. The plants are very like 
those of Lucretia, but ripen their crop a week 
or ten days earlier, are not so productive, 
and bear more imperfect flowers. The berries 
are smaller than those of Lucretia, but are just 
as firm in flesh and just as gocxl in quality. 
This variety, a comparatively new acquisi- 
tion, is becoming a favorite early fruit in 
many dewberry sections in the United States, 
especially in the South, and in North Caro- 
lina particularly. Data regarding the origin of 
the variety are lacking, but it has been under 
cultivation at least since 1905. 

PRIMUS. Another variety of the logan- 
berry type is Primus, introduced about 1890 
by Luther Burbank as a cross between the 
western dewberry, R. litifolms and R. cralcegv- 
jolius. Its chief claim for recognition by 
berry-growers is that the crop ripens before 
that of loganberry. The variety fails and is 
being discarded because of several serious 
faults; the blossoms appear early and are 
caught by frosts ; the berries cling and are 
bruised in picking, and are dull and unattrac- 
tive in appearance ; and the plants are rather 
more unmanageable in the plantation than 
those of other varieties of its type, all of which 
give troulDle in staking or trellising. In foliage 
and canes. Primus is very similar to the logan- 
berry. The variety was introduced by Bur- 
bank in 1893. 



PART V 
CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES 



CHAPTER XVIII 
BOTANY OF CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES 



Several species of Ribes are very generally 
cultivated in cold temperate and even sub- 
arctic climates under the names currants and 
gooseberries. The two fruits are often grouped 
as groselles, from the French groscilles, a word 
now commonly applied to gooseberries, which, 
however, at one time included currants as 
well. Originally, the word currants was applied 
to small seedless raisins, produced from several 
varieties of grapes in the Levant, the name 
coming from Corinth, which was the center of 
the industry. The dried currants of commerce 
are the cured fruits of seedless grapes and not 
those of a species of Ribes, continuing the con- 
fusion in the nomenclature of the two fruits. 
Currants and gooseberries are very different in 
aspect of plant, and in appearance and taste 
of fruit, yet their close relationship is shown 
not only by similarities in the botanical char- 
acters upon which classifications are founded, 
but also by the hybridization of species of the 
two fruits and the possibility of intergrafting. 
Ribes is probably an Arabic name for Rheum 
Ribes, but is supposed by some to be the 
Latinized form of nebs, an old German word 
for currant. 

THE GENUS RIBES 

To this genus belong the red, white, black, 
and golden currants of the gardens, represent- 
ing several species; cultivated gooseberries 
coming from two or three species; and a dozen 
or more species cultivated as ornamentals for 
their flowers, fruits, or foliage. There are 
about 150 species of Ribes well distributed 
throughout the north temperate regions of 
both hemispheres and of South America. 
Many species not now cultivated offer possi- 
bilities for the garden through domestication 
or hybridization. The following characters of 
the genus are of importance to pomologists: 

Low prickly or unarmed shrubs. Leaves deciduous 
or rarely evergreen, alternate, palmately lobed, often 
fascicled on the branches, mostly plaited in the bud. 
Flowers perfect or sometimes dioecious, 5-parted. borne 
in few- to many-fiowered racemes, in edible-fruited 
species greenish, reddish or yellow and mostly insig- 
nificant ; calyx-tube cylindric to rotate, usually colored ; 
petals smaller than the sepals, often minute ; ovary 
inferior, l-celled ; styles 1 or 2. Fruit a many seeded, 
pulpy berry, crowned by the remains of the calyx, red, 
white, purple, scarlet, yellow or greenish, the edible 
species ripening their fruits in early summer. 

The berry of the currant and gooseberry is 
an indehiscent, many-seeded fruit, soft "and 
juicy throughout, the product of the inferior 
ovary of the flower. Fig. 259 shows the flower 
and fruit of a gooseberry, illustrating the struc- 
ture of these organs for the genus. 



There are no other pomological plants with 
which currants and gooseberries can possibly 
be confused, and the species constitvite natural 
groups so distinct that one can hardly be mis- 
taken for another. But it is difficult indeed 
to make sure of the horticultural varieties of 
the several species. The pomological nomen- 
clature of these fruits is in a sorry state of 





295 



259. Flower and fruit of gooseberry. A, flower; 
B, half-ripe fruit; a, calyx-tube; b, ovary. 

confusion. Varieties of both currants and 
gooseberries are often so nearly alike that it 
is almost impossible to distinguish them. 
Nui-serj'men have been remiss in renaming old 
sorts, and frequently substitute one kind for 
another; varieties of currants, at least, come 
nearly true to seed; and few good descriptions 
have been published of varieties. Those in- 
terested in these fruits, therefore, in order to 
identify varieties, must be well informed as 
to the differences in organs upon which botani- 
cal and pomological classifications are founded. 

Size and form of plant. 

The several cultivated species of currants 
and gooseberries are told at a glance by the 
size and habit of growth of the plant, almost 
regardless of structure of organs. Nature has 
set limits to the size which the several species 
attain that are seldom overcome by natural con- 
ditions of environment or by the nurture given 
by man. So, also, habit of growth serves to 
characterize species remarkably well. The up- 
right, spreading, sprawling, drooping, dense, 
open, much-branched, or little-branched habit 
distinguish species so that one can hardly fail 
to pick out the types. Not so with varieties, 
however; neither size of plant nor its habit 
of growth serves greatly in the identification 
of varieties of either currants or gooseberries 
in any one species, as the plants of all are 
quite similar. 

European and American gooseberries are 



THE WOOD 



FLOWERS 



readily distinguished by habit of the plant, 
although it is sometimes difficult to separate 
hybrids between the two from one or the other 
species. European gooseberries are stocky 
with upright, straight branches, which curve 
but little and never assume the graceful slen- 
der, drooping, spreading, or sprawling habit 
of American varieties. 

Constitutional characters. 

Whether the plants make a rapid or slow 
growth, are long- or short-lived, bear annually 
or uniformly, characters important in deter- 
mining varieties of tree-fruits, counts for little 
in classifying these fruits. Productiveness, 
however, is a most distinctive character in 
classification, always to be noted for its value 
in identification and because of its prime im- 
portance to the grower. Gooseberries and 
black currants, in particular, are exceedingly 
variable in productiveness. 

Currants and gooseberries are the hardiest 
of fruits to cold, but are impatient of much 
heat, and both species and varieties show 
great variations in withstanding it. They vary 
somewhat, also, in relation to cold. The de- 
gree of hardiness to heat or cold is valuable 
in classifying, and of course determines very 
largely the value of species or varieties for 
the garden. English gooseberries, for exam- 
ple, stand but poorly the heat of American 
summers even in the North. The varieties of 
Ribes petrcBum, of which Prince Albert is the 
type, are less hardy to cold than varieties of 
R. uulgare or R. rubram. None of the groselles 
withstands heat in regions where the orange 
or even the fig can be grown out-of-doors; nor 
do these fruits thrive in dry climates. 

Immunity and susceptibility to diseases and 
insects vary greatly, and must always be noted 
for the information of the grower, and may 
sometimes serve in identification. The Euro- 
pean gooseberry is extremely susceptible to 
a mildew which does little damage to varieties 
derived from the American species. Hybrids 
of the two species, even when the blood of 
the European plant is diluted to a second or 
third cross with the American species, show 
great susceptibility to this mildew. Species 
and varieties differ widely in resistance to San 
Jose scale, the currant worm, the currant borer, 
leaf-spot, anthracnose, cane-blight, and the 
pine blister rust, which at present is causing 
great consternation in America. 

The wood. 

The canes and branches vary greatly in 
species, as set forth in the descriptions of the 
several specific groups, and furnish some valu- 
able clues to the identification of varieties. 
The height and diameter of canes, degree of 
smoothness, length of internodes, color, the 
character of spines and prickles in the goose- 
berry, the presence and character of pubes- 
cence and glands, the odor, the number of 
canes and suckers, are all important, and often 
furnish the chief diagnostic characteristics of 
varieties. Examples are: the stout shoots of 
the large-fruited currants of which Cherry is 



the type; the red shoots of Prince Albert and 
its related varieties; the exceedingly variable 
spines of gooseberries, which very often serve 
in identification. These characters, unimpor- 
tant in determining the value of a variety, are 
often most useful in separating the different 
sorts. The winter-wood characters offer valu- 
able distinguishing characters in color and 
markings of bark. 

The spines help greatly in separating Euro- 
pean and American gooseberries. European 
varieties bear from one to three light-colored 
spines at the base of the leaf, with occasionally 
smaller spines scattered along the stem. In 
American varieties the spines are shorter, 
usually borne singly, or are scattered irregu- 
larly along the stem. There are spineless 
varieties of both species, in which hair-like 
bristles may take the place of spines. 

Leaves and leaf-buds. 

The several species of Ribes are readily 
separated by characters of the leaves, as are 
hybrids of either currants or gooseberries. 
The most readily used characters are size, 
shape, and color, but pubescence, glands, dots 
on the lower surface, degree of smoothness, 
are all good distinguishing marks. The varie- 
ties of R. vulgare, of which the Cherry currant 
is the best representative, may usually be told 
by their thin, almost glabrous, yellow'ish-green 
leaves which are folded upward more or less; 
while R. rubrum, very similar, and its varieties 
are easily picked out by the thicker, softer 
leaves, very downy on the under surface. The 
time of falling of the foliage distinguishes R. 
petrcBum and its varieties, the Prince Albert 
currant being the type, as all of this group 
retain the foliage verj- late in the autumn. 
Looking at a currant plantation in the spring, 
one sees that there are great variations among 
varieties in leafing-time and in the color of 
the young foliage, characters which help 
greatly in classification; thus. Wilder starts 
into leafing earlier than any other currant. 
The leaves of some currants are bullate, that 
is blistered or puckered; this character serves 
to identify Prince Albert. 

Buds of both leaf and flower are more or 
less distinct in species and varieties in size, 
shape, and color. A fine mark of distinction 
that can be used to advantage in identification 
in the winter is found in the angle taken by 
the bud; it may be appressed, that is pressed 
closely to the cane, or free, in which case it 
may stand nearly at right angles to the cane. 

The margins may be serrate, dentate, or 
crenate, the character of the teeth offering 
valuable evidence in identifying all groups. 
The amount and character of pubescence on 
the margin .serve as an aid in identifying some 
varieties. The margins of the leaves in sev- 
eral varieties take on a silveiy tint, this char- 
acter being quite pronounced in Ruby. 

The length and thickness of the petiole is a 
good diagnostic character. The petiole of Vic- 
toria is remarkably long. The color must be 
noted and whether pubescent or glabrous. 
The petiole is channeled in some currants; this 



FLOWERS 



RED CURRANTS 



297 



peculiarity helps to identify several varieties. 
The angle at which the petiole holds the leaf- 
blade is also a mark of distinction. Thus, the 
leaf of Prince Albert is held stiffly upright; 
that of Victoria, horizontally and somewhat 
lax; and in Fay the leaves point downward. 

The leaves of all Ribes are more or less 
rugose, but the veins are more sunken and 
the spaces between more elevated in some 
varieties than in others. The degree of rugose- 
ness is a particularly valuable mark in distin- 
guishing gooseberries. 

Flowers. 

The flowers serve especially well in identi- 
fying currants, as they do also in gooseberries, 
but since varieties of gooseberries are much 
more readily identified by the fmit, a study 
of the flower is not so necessary as with the 
currant. In the three species of currants in 
which pomologists are interested, the flowers 
are very distinct and help to separate the 
varieties and to determine hybrids as well. 
The varieties of R. vulgar e have a flat, open, 
green flower with a fleshy ring around the 
pistil, and the racemes hang down; in R. rub- 
rum the flowers are more bell-shaped, without 
the fleshy ring; and in R. petrwum the 
racemes are drooping, bearing flowers broadly 
campanulate and pink, purple, or claret red. 
The flowers of Red Dutch represent the Vul- 
gare type; those of Ruby, the Rubrum; and 
those of Prince Albert, the Petraeum type. 
The varieties of the three species differ ma- 
terially in the time when the flowers open. 
The black currant and the golden currant, 
R. nigrum and R. odoralum, are told at a 
glance by size, color, and odor of the flowers, 
but there are but small differences to be dis- 
covered in the flowers of varieties of these 
species. There seem to be no reliable differ- 
ences in the flowers of the two species of cul- 
tivated gooseberries. 

Fruits. 

Gooseberries, as a rule, are distinguished 
readily by their fruits. Varieties may usually 
be separated by the size, color, or shape of the 
berry, or by the many distinct flavors, the 
smoothness or pubescence of the surface, the 
texture and juiciness of the flesh, or the time 
of ripening. The fruits of European goose- 
berries are much larger than those of American 
sorts and more variable in size, as they are 
also in color and shape. In color, European 
gooseberries may be dark red, dull green, or 
clear yellow; or may have pale tints of these 
colors, while some are almost white. Ameri- 
can gooseberries are green or red. 

Varieties of black cun-ants are also readily 
separated by their fruits. The several sorts 
vaiy greatly in size, color, and, more particu- 
larly, in flavor and odor. Each variety, also, 
has a season of its own to characterize it. 

The red currants are much more difficult to 
separate by means of fruit-characters. Size 
and color help a little but often lead astray. 
Shape counts for little and flavor for still less. 
Such expressions as sour, subacid, and mild 



mean but little, because of the difficulty of 
comparing varieties at the same stage of 
maturity. The number of currants to the 
bunch is a fairly reliable character. The bunch 
may be large or small ; loose or compact. The 
lengths of the fruit-stem and berry-stems are 
usually constant. Transparency of berry char- 
acterizes one or two varieties. The berries are 
held on one side of the stem in some varieties, 
and the bunches droop in some or stand out 
rather stiffly in others. The stems may be 
smooth or hairy. Skins vary in thickness, 
transparency, and smoothness. The flesh 
varies in texture and juiciness. Seeds offer no 
decided means of separation, although they 
vary a little in size, color, and number. Lastly, 
the time of ripening may be used as one of 
the safest characters. This enumeration would 
make it seem that currants might readily be 
picked out by their fruit-characters, but in 
practice the task is not easy and requires close 
study. 

The accompanying description blank for the 
currant sets forth most of the characters stu- 
dents and fruit-growers will use in describing 
currants and gooseberries. 

Species oj currants and gooseberries. 

Currants and gooseberries are modern fruits, 
for their domestication has taken place within 
the last four or five hundred years, despite 
which fact it is now difflcult to make out how 
many species enter into cultivated varieties. 
That there is now but one species each for 
cultivated black currants and golden currants 
is certain, but some botanists place the red 
currants in one, others in two, and still others 
in three or four species. There is divided 
opinion, also, as to whether cultivated goose- 
berries belong to one. two, or three species, 
most botanists putting them in two. One of 
the most thorough pomological students of red 
currants, E. A. Bunyard, Maidstone, England, 
places red currants in three species, a classifi- 
cation followed here, although two others are 
mentioned as having entered into cultivated 
hybrids. 

RED CURRANTS 

Cultivated red currants, as has been said, 
come from at least three wild species, with 
the possibility that the blood of a fourth or 
fifth enters into some of the hybrid garden 
sorts. The species are: Ribcs rubrum, R. vul- 
gare and R. petrceum. White currants are true 
albinos of the red species, R. vulgare furnishing 
most of the white varieties. 

1. Ribes vulgare. Lam. Red Currant. Garden Cur- 
rant. Upright shrubs attaining a height of 5 or 6 feet ; 
young growth pubescent and slightly glandular. Leaves 
thin, cordate or subcordate, 3-5 lobed, with short-ovate, 
serrate lobes, yellowish-green, more or less folded up- 
ward, newrly hairless or pubescent only on the veins' 
beneath. 3 inclies across. Flower in long racemes, 
markedly drooping ; rachjs glabrous ; pedicels filiform, 
glandless ; calyx-tube yellow-green, saucer-shaped ; sepals 
oval : petals narrowly cuneate ; a high, narrow, fleshy 
ring between the stamens and the cleft style. Fruit a 
round, red or white, juicy berry, with the remnant of 
the calyx at the base. 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE CURRANT 



FI^AITTS 

Characteristics 

Large, medium, small 
Vigorous, medium, weak 
Upright, spreading, drooping 
Tall, medium, dwarf 
Very productive, productive 
Medium productive, unproductive 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 



TKUIT 

Characteristics 

Early, midseason, late 



SUCKERS 

Numerous, medium, few, none 

CANES 

Stocky, medium, slender 
Rough, medium, smooth 
Long, medium, short 
Straight, angular 
Red, brown, green 
Gray, dull, glossy 
Internodes 
Long, medium, short 

LEAF-BUDS 

Large, medium, small 
Long, medium, short 
Obtuse, conical, pointed 
Plump, appressed or free 

LEAVES 

Large, medium, small 

Roundish, cordate, oval 

Ovate, obovate, wedge 

Abruptly pointed, taper-pointed 

Number of lobes 

Lobes deep or shallow 

Wide, medium, narrow 

Long, medium short 

Light, medium, dark green 

Glossy, dull 

Rough, medium, smooth 

Pubescent glabrous 

Margin 

Crenate, serrate, hairy 
Petiole 

Long, medium, short 

Thick, medium, slender 

Color 



FLOWERS 

Date of bloom 

Early, medium, late 
Large, medium, small 

Sepal 
Bell or saucer-shaped 
Red, green, purple, yellow 

Receptacle red, green 
with or without 6eshy ring 



DATE OF RIPENING 

LENGTH OF SEASON 

PICKING QUALITY . 

KEEPING QUALITY . 

SHIPPING QUALITY 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects , 

Diseases 



CLUSTERS 

Long, medium, short 
Compact, loose 
Well filled or not 
Lax or held out stiffly 

CLUSTER-STEMS 
Long, medium, short 
Thick, medium, slender 



BERRIES 

Numerous, medium, few 
Large, medium, small 
Uniform, variable 
Black, red, whitish, dull, g. 

SKIN 

Thick, medium, thin 
Opaque, translucent 

FLESH 

Juicy, medium, rather dry 
Colorless, pinkish 
Firm, melting, seedy 
Sweet, subacid, sour 
Sprightly, aromatic 

Quality 
Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 



USE 

Dessert, kitchen 
Market, home 



DESIRABILITY 



RESLARES 



298 



RED CURRANTS 



BLACK CURRANTS 



299 



The species has been divided into several 
botanical varieties, but pomologists are inter- 
ested only in the type species and var. macro- 
carpum, Jancz. This variety differs from the 
type in its irregular growth, due to the fact 
that the lateral branches often have blind 
terminal buds ; larger leaves, more deeply 
cordate, with a very large middle lobe; ra- 
cemes usually without leaves at the base; and 
larger fruits. To this botanical variety belong 
the large-leaved and large-fruited sorts of 
which Cherry is typical. The Macrocarpum 
currants are more tender to cold than the 
garden sorts belonging to R. vulgare. From 
this species come most of the cultivated red 
currants. 

Ribes vulgare is a native of western Europe, 
being found wild in Great Britain, France, and 
Belgium. It is a fruit of cold and temperate 
regions, and its culture was not attempted in 
the warmer parts of Europe; therefore the 
species was not domesticated until agriculture 
was well advanced in northern and western 
Europe. Its culture was no doubt begun in 
the fourteenth or fifteenth century; at any 
rate, it is mentioned as a commonly cultivated 
fruit in the garden books of the sixteenth cen- 
tury, and not mentioned previously as a garden 
plant. This currant was brought to America 
by the earliest settlers in New England. 

2. Ribes rubrum, Linn. Northern Red Currant. 
Upright shrub attaining a height of 6 feet ; young 
growth less pubescent than in R. vulgare. Leaves rarely 
subcordate, 3-5 lobed, usually tomentose beneath ; larger 
and thicker than those of R. vulgare and held more 
laxly, 5 inches across. Flowers greenish or brownish, 
in spreading racemes, borne on rather stiff, short pedi- 
cels on one side of tlie bunch, whereas those of Vulgare 
swing freely around the bunch ; held out at right angles 
from the stem, those of R. vulgare being pendulous ; 
calyx-tube more bell-shaped than in R. vulgare and 
without the ring inside. Fruits usually red, juicy, with 
the remnants of the flower at the base. It is not' always 
easy to distinguish this species from R. vulgare. 

Janczewski, now the recognized authority on 
the botany of the currant, describes several 
botanical varieties, of which var. pubescens, 
Schwarz, and var. scandicum, Hedl, are given 
by pomological students as progenitors of 
cultivated varieties. Several natural hybrids 
between this and the preceding species are 
named, and from it come most of the small- 
fruited, hardy garden varieties, either as pure- 
breds or as hybrids with the two other species 
under cultivation. 

This species is a native of central and north- 
em Europe and Asia eastward into Siberia and 
Manchuiia. How, where, and by whom the 
species was domesticated is not known. It 
is rather less promising in the wild than 
R. vulgare; there are fewer varieties showing 
its blood ; and since it is not found in regions 
which came so early under agriculture as those 
in which R. vulgare grows wild, it is safe to 
say that R. rubrum came under cultivatfon at 
a later date. 

3. Ribes petraum, Wulfen. Stout, upright shrubs 
attaining a height of 7 feet ; shoots usually reddish 
and glaljrous ; bush larger than in the other two species. 
Leaves roundish, subcordate, stout, 3-lobed, middle lobe 
longest, acute, very dark green, usually puckered or 



blistered, rugose, 3-4 inches across. Flower* in rather 
dense racemes, appearing later than those of tlie otlier 
two species, pink or red to claret red ; pedicels short ; 
bracts very small ; calyx-tube broadly campanulate, with 
short, rounded, ciliate sepals ; petals nearly half as long 
as sepals, with a callosity below the base. Fruits more 
acid, darker red and ripening later than those of R. 
vulgare and R. rubrum^ 

Several botanical species are distinguished 
from which garden varieties, it is generally 
agreed, come; of one of which var. bullatum, 
the well-known Prince Albert is typical This 
species comes from the mountains of central 
and southern Europe, north Africa, Caucasus 
and from northern Asia. 

The currant does not seem to have early 
attracted the attention of gardeners, although 
it must have been seen by civilized men long 
before the Christian era. It began to be pic- 
tured and described accurately enough in the 
herbals by the middle of the sixteenth centurj', 
so that it can be said that its domestication 
dates from about that time. Seedling currants 
were grown as early as that century, we are 
told, and no doubt the hybridization of this 
'species with the other two began through nat- 
ural means as soon as the three types were 
grown in the same gardens. 

The red currants of the present are a mix- 
ture of these three species. The relative im- 
portance of each in the making of garden va- 
rieties can be determined only by careful 
analysis of plants from selfed seed. In such 
an analysis the possibility of mutations must 
be kept in mind. 

BLACK CURRANTS 

'White currants and striped currants are but 
closely related strains of red species; black 
currants are quite distinct, belonging to a 
species as closely related to the gooseberry as 
to the red currant. Possibly the relationship 
is closer, since the black currant intergrafts 
and hybridizes with the gooseberry, while it 
has not been found that it will do so with the 
red currant. Black currants are used for 
medicinal purposes and in cookery, but are 
little liked as a dessert fruit. The black cur- 
rant is held in high esteem in Great Britain 
and parts of western Europe, but has never 
found favor in America, possibly because of 
the bitter taste and aroma, described by an 
old herbalist as "of a stinking and somewhat 
loathing savour." There are several species of 
currants with black berries, but only one, R. 
nigrum, is commonly cultivated. 

4. Ribes nigrum, Linn. Black Currant. Stout, up- 
right shrut) attaining a height of 8-10 feet ; stem, 
foliage flowers, and fruits having a strong unpleasant 
odor. Leaves cordate, 3-5 lobed, more or less pubescent 
and bearing resinous dots beneath ; margins serrate ; 
lobes broad, irregular, acute. Flowers borne in loose 
racemes ; calyx-tube broadly campanulate ; petals 
greenish-purple or dull whitish, half as long as sepals ; 
calyx and ovary pubescent and glandular. Fruits round 
or sub-globose. ^ inch in diameter, black, with a strong 
odor and taste. 

Botanists describe several natural varieties, 
one with yellow, another with green fruits. 
There are also botanical varieties with cut 



300 



GOLDEN CURRANT 



GOOSEBERRIES 



leaves, and still others with variegated foliage. 
None of these botanical divisions is of especial 
interest to poraologists, who are concerned 
only with a dozen or more horticultural 
varieties derived from the type species. 

This black currant is a native of Europe and 
north and central Asia. The American black, 
R. americanum, is similar to R. nigrum in 
plant and fruit, but differs much in the flower; 
it is found from Nova Scotia to Virginia and 
westward to the Rocky Mountains, furnishing 
wild fruit to those who care to pick it. Were 
it not for the cultivated black currant from 
Europe, this native species might well be do- 
mesticated. The European black currant is a 
fruit of modern times, its culture dating back 
not more than two centuries. The more 
northern the latitude, the higher the esteem 
in which it is held. 

GOLDEN CtJRRANT 

5. Ribes odoratum, Wendl. Golden Currant. Buffalo 
Currant. Missouri Currant. A spineless shrub attain 
ing a height of 10 feet, young branches pubescent. 
Leaves 3 to 5 lobed, coarsely dentate, glabrous, ovate, 
rarely cordate, 1-3 inches broad ; petioles pubescent, 
shorter than the blade. Flowers golden yellow, fra- 
grant, borne in 5-8 flowered racemes ; tube hi inch 
long, stout ; sepals half as long as the tube, spreading 
or revolutc ; petals half as long as sepals, more or less 
red. Fruit round or ovate, yellow or black, 'A inch in 
diameter. 

The habitat of this species is banks of 
streams, from Minnesota to Missouri and 
Arkansas and westward. The golden currant 
is just coming under cultivation, but one va- 
riety, the Crandall, introduced in 1888, being 
commonly found in gardens. Three or four 
other sorts of less repute are occasionally to 
be found. 

GOOSEBERRIES 

6. Ribea Grossularia, Linn. European Gooseben-y. 
An upright, or spreading, seldom drooping shrub 2-4 
feet high ; spines many, mostly in 3's, variable in 
length and stoutness, sometimes bristly. Leaves cordate 
to broadly cuneate, pubescent or glabrous, rather thick, 
1-3 inches broad, crenate or dentate, 3-5 lobed. Flowers 
solitary, rarely 2 ; ovary pubescent or often glandular ; 
calyx-tube campanulate, its lobes oblong, pubescent ; 
styles pubescent. Fruit i/^-l inch in diameter, round, 
ovate, or oblong, smooth or pubescent, sometimes 
glandular or bristly, green, yellow or red. 

The original form of the cultivated Euro- 
pean gooseberry is found in Europe, North 
Africa, and the Caucasus. In this vast region 
there are several botanical varieties, but the 
cultivated gooseberries seem to have been de- 
rived from the type form. While cultivated 
somewhat on the continent, this fruit belongs 
almost wholly to Great Britain, where several 
hundred varieties have been introduced in 
England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. There 
are but few places in America where the species 
thrives, as the climate is uncongenial and the 
gooseberry mildew proves a veritable scourge. 
There are now, however, a number of hybrids 
between this species and the American goose- 
berry which promise much for American po- 
mology. 



The gooseberry is not mentioned by ancient 
agricultural writers, and seems to have first 
come into prominence as a cultivated plant in 
England. Tusser, the farmer-poet, mentions 
it in 1557. Turner, the English herbalist, 
writes of it in 1573; as does Gerard in 1597; 
and Parkinson, in 1629, names eight varieties. 
For the last two hundred years, the gooseberry 
seems to have been the fruit of fruits in 
England, and many societies have been or- 
ganized to bring it to its best estate, and many 
voluminous articles and books have been de- 
voted to its culture. 

7. Ribes hirtellum, Michx. American Gooseberry. 
A shrub 3-5 feet high ; branches slender, drooping, un- 
armed or armed with small spines at the base of shoots 
or with few or many whitish prickles. Leaves broader 
than long, rather thin, 1-2 inches broad, dentate or 
crenate-dentate, cuneate at the base, incisely 3-5 lobed, 
more or less pubescent underneath, with some glandular 
hair on the petiole. Flowers 1-3, borne on very short 
peduncles and pedicels ; ovary glabrous ; calyx-tube 
campanulate ; sepals greenish or purplisli, glabrous ; 
petals whitish, half as long as sepals ; style pubescent. 
Fruit Vz inch in diameter, round, ovate, or oblong ; 
skin smooth ; greenish, purple or black. 

This species is found wild from Newfound- 
land to Maryland and West Virginia, and west- 
ward nearly to the Rocky Mountains. There 
are several American garden varieties which 
are undoubtedly pure-bred varieties of this 
species, of which Pale Red is best known. 
Downing and Houghton, leading varieties of 
gooseberries, are hybrids between this and 
the European species. Until recently it was 
thought that R. oxyacanthoides, Linn., was the 
parent of the score or more American goose- 
berries, but these are now all put in this 
species, or as hybrids of this and the foregoing, 
with a few exceptions to be noted. R. Cynos- 
bati, Linn., R. inermc, Rydb., R. setosum, 
Lindl. and R. missouriensis, Nutt., are all rep- 
resented, either as hybrids or pure-breds, 
among American gooseberries. These and 
possibly still other native species offer much 
for the plant-breeder. All of the native species 
named should be hybridized with the European 
gooseberry, which bears a much larger, hand- 
somer, and better-flavored fruit, in order to 
produce varieties capable of withstanding the 
varied climate and soil conditions of the sev- 
eral native species. 

Wild gooseberries were used by the Indians 
before Europeans came to the New World, as 
they are now by the tribes in the West and 
North. Trappers and early settlers have al- 
ways used the fruit. But, while the first set- 
tlers from England brought the European 
gooseberry with them, cnly to fail in its cul- 
ture, none tried the native species in the garden 
until the nineteenth century w'as well ad- 
vanced. In 1833, Abel Houghton, Lynn, 
Massachusetts, planted several English varie- 
ties near a plant from the woods. Seeds were 
saved from fruit of this native, and from it 
came the Houghton, which, however, was not 
disseminated until 1848. The domestication 
of the native gooseberry has, therefore, taken 
place within less than one hundred years. 



CHAPTER XIX 
VARIETIES OF CURRANTS 



The currant does not thrive in hot, dry 
weather, and is, therefore, a fruit of northern 
climates, having commercial importance only 
in regions where the grains are profitably 
grown. On the other hand, it endures a more 
austere climate than other bush-fruits, for 
which reason, and because of earliness, spright- 
liness, and healthfulness of the product, the 
currant plays an important part in the po- 
mology of northern climates; no less than 70 
red, 14 black and 5 golden currants have been 
grown at one time or another in the United 
States and Canada. Of these, 26 red currants, 
6 black, and 2 golden currants are still promi- 
nent in American pomology, and are de- 
scribed in this text. Compared with other 
fruits, these numbers seem small, b\it currants 
are relatively stable, and improved varieties 
are obtained only with difficulty, so that the 
several species are represented by but few 
varieties. 

The botanical classification of the preceding 
chapter, accepted by botanists, is based upon 
distinctions so fine that pomologists will find 
it difficult to place cultivated varieties of red 
currants in the several species. Thus it is 
impossible to make sure whether some varie- 
ties belong to R. vulgare or R. rubrum. Clas- 
sification is further complicated by the crossing 
of varieties from the several species, and by 
great confusion of names in nursery and gar- 
den practices. Until a thorough study can be 
made of varieties of red currants, the prime 
requisite of which is to make certain that all 
are true to name, attempts to place them in 
species are not worth while. The author is 
forced to be content with putting all red cur- 
rants in one group, black sorts in another, and 
the golden currants in a third. 

CHAUTAUQUA. Chautauqua Climbing. 
The tall spreading growth of this variety 
led to its being introduced as a climbing cur- 
rant. The plants are vigorous, healthy, and 
very productive. The clusters are long, with 
stems free from berries at the base, and there- 
fore easy to pick. The berries are large, hand- 
some, light red, high in quality, and hang long 
after ripening. It is a mediocre variety with 
little to recommend it for commercial planta- 
tions, but sometimes desirable, by reason of its 
spreading plants, for trellises or fences in home 
plantations. Chautauqua is a chance seedling 
found in the woods by R. F. Lonnen, Mar- 
ville. New York, about 1893. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright- spreading, dense, pro- 
ductive, healthy ; suckers rather few ; canes stocky. 
emooth, straight, dark brown, often overlaid with dull 



gray. Leaves ovate, thin, dark green ; margin crenate ; 
petiole averaging about two inches, puljescent ; season o( 
bloom early. Fruit matures early in July, easily picked ; 
clusters long, loose, with 15-24 berries to a cluster ; 
stems and pedicels long, slender ; berries adhere well, 
medium to large, often Vz inch across, roundish to 
slightly oblate, attractive light bright red ; skin smooth, 
thin, tough, translucent ; flesh reddish, medium juicy, 
fine-grained, tart, sprightly ; very good ; seeds interme- 
diate in size and number. 

CHERRY. Fig. 260. This old variety is 
one of the most popular currants for home 
and market in America. Bunches and berries 
are large, and, as they are borne on vigorous 
plants, the variety be- 
comes one of the most 
productive of the large- 
fruited currants. The ber- 
ries are a beautiful bright 
red, very large, though 
not always uniform in 
size, and well flavored. 
Defects are that the 
plants do not sucker 
freely, so that the bushes 
sometimes have too few 
stalks; there is a ten- 
dency in the canes to "go 
blind," that is, to lack the 
terminal shoot ; and the 
short-stemmed bunches 
are borne so close to the 
wood that the crop is 
hard to pick. The variety 
seems to have originated 
in Italy, thence it came 
to France about 1840, and from France was 
introduced into America by W. W. Falk, 
Flushing, Long Island, in 1846. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, pro- 
ductive ; suckers few. Leaves cordate, lobes ovate, 
rugose, pubescent, margin crenate ; petiole 2 inches 
long. Flowers early, R. vulgare type. Fruit early ; 
clusters short, thick, loose, 10-14 berries ; stem siiort, 
making fruit difficult to pick ; berries very large, cling 
well, round, dark red ; skin smooth, tough, transparent ; 
flesh red, medium juicy, firm, mild subacid ; quality 
good ; seeds large, rather 




COMET. This variety is listed by several 
American nurserymen as distinct, but all who 
have compared it with Fay say the two are 
very similar or identical. The variety came 
from England twenty-five years or more ago. 
It is possible that after the introduction of 
Fay, an American variety, into England it 
was renamed Comet. 

DIPLOMA. Fig. 261. Diploma is a new 
currant rather widely grown in New York, but 
still on trial in other currant-growing regions. 



301 



302 



EVERYBODY 



HOLLAND 




The variety is easily distinguished by its light 

red fruits, which are more transparent than 
those of any other currant, the seeds and 
segments showing distinctly 
through the thin skin. The 
fruits are juicier than those 
of most otner currants, there- 
fore especially desirable for 
jellies; for the same reason 
the crop must be picked and 
handled with care. The fla- 
vor is mild — almost sweet. 
Diploma originated with 
Jacob Moore, Brighton, New 
York, in 1SS5. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright- 
spreading, dense, hardy, produc- 
tive, healthy ; canes numerous, 
stocky, long, somewhat angular, 
reddish-brown ; blooms in mid- 
season. Fruit raidseason, period 
of ripening short ; pedicels of 
average length and thickness ; ber- 
ries large, round, adhere tenaci- 
ously to the pedicels, bright, light 
red which changes but slowly after 
picking ; skin very thin, very 
transparent, the segments, veins 
and seeds unusually distinct; flesh 
semi-transparent, tinged witli red, 
tender, very juicy, sprightly sub- 
acid becoming mild ; quality good 
to very good ; seeds numerous, 
large. 

EVERYBODY. This is one of the newest 

red currants, and is recommended as succeed- 
ing "everywhere and on all soils." On the 
grounds of the Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, it is not more remarkable than the 
average variety, although the medium-sized, 
dark-red currants of high quality recommend it. 
The foliage hangs late in the fall, and the cur- 
rants remain on the bush long after ripening. 
It is very similar to Filler, an older variety. 
Everybody was 
introduced by J.T. 
Lovett, Little Sil- 
ver, New Jersey, in 
1914. 

Plants of medium 
size, sprawling habit, 
not very productive, 
healthy. Leaves of 
medium size, base very 
deeply notched, lower 
surface a peculiar 
olive -green. Flowers 
midseason, green with 
a tinge of brown. Fruit 
midseason ; clusters 
compact, 12-15 berries; 
berries round, cling 
well, medium to large, 
dark red ; flesh firm, 
'rather dry, subacid ; 
quality good ; seeds 
medium in size and 
number. 



FAY. Fig. 262. 
Fai/s Prolific. All 
agree that Fay is 
one of the best of 
the large -fruited 
red currants. Clus- 




262. Fay. (X%) 



ters and berries are large and very uniform in 
size, making a most attractive product. The 
cluster-stems are long, therefore harvesting is 
easy. The berries are dark-red, sprightly, juicy, 
and thin-skinned, qualities that make the fruit 
one of the best for canning and jellies. The 
bushes are not large, and the yield is not so 
heavy as with some other varieties, unproduc- 
tiveness being the chief defect. Fay originated 
in 1S6S with Lincoln Fay, Portland, New York. 

Plants of medium size and productiveness, healthy, 
sprawling in habit. Leaves large, very rugose, pointing 
downward, oli\e-green. Flowers early, green tinged 
with red. Fruit early midseason ; clusters large, 12-15 
berries, loose, with long stem, uniform ; berries cling 
well, large, round, rather dark red ; flesh reddish, firm, 
juicy, subacid ; quality very good ; seeds small, rather 
numerous. 

FILLER. Scarff. Although long past the 
probationary period, Filler is little grown ex- 
cept in the Hudson River Valley in New York, 
where at one time it was a favorite but is 
less grown now. The plant is not above 
mediocre in productiveness, nor the fruit in 
appearance and quality. The bushes sprawl 
on the ground to the great detriment of the 
currants, and to the vexation of the cultivator. 
Filler originated at MarlborOj New York, 
about 1S90, in the garden of George Filler. 

Plants rather dwarf, sprawling, not very productive. 
Leaves on bearing branches very small, base deeply 
notched, milky-green. Flowers open in midseason. 
Fruit midseason; clusters compact, 12-15 berries; ber- 
ries round, somewhat oblate, medium to large, dark 
red, variable in size ; flesh firm, not very juicy, subacid ; 
quality good ; seeds large, numerous. 

FRANCO-GERMAN. On the grounds of 
the Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, 
Franco-German apears to be identical with 
Prince Albert. It is listed by several nursery- 
men as distinct, but the differences do not ap- 
pear in any of the descriptions. The variety 
is said to be particularly desirable for dry, 
hot climates. The origin of the name is not 
known. 

GIANT RED. This is a new currant with 
a reputation yet to make in commercial plan- 
tations. On the grounds of the Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York, it is surpassed by 
several older varieties of its type, that of 
Versailles, of which it is a seedling. Giant 
Red was grown by E. P. Powell, Clinton, New 
York, from seed planted in 1895, the variety 
being introduced in 1912. 

Plants very tall, upright, productive, healthy ; canes 
stout. Leaves large, milky-green, thick, held nearly 
flat. Flowers midseason, slightly tinged with red. 
Fruit midseason ; clusters of medium length, compact, 
well filled to the end ; stems long, making picking 
easy ; berries medium to large, bright red ; flesli firm, 
medium juicy, sour, too acid for pleasant eating ; seeds 
large, numerous. 

HOLLAND. Long-bunched Holland. This 
variety seems to be grown rather commonly in 
the Middle West and somewhat in the Pacific 
states. As grown at the New York Experi- 
ment Station, Geneva, New York, it is similar 



KNIGHT'S LARGE RED 



RED CROSS 



303 



or identical with Prince Albert, and it is pos- 
sibly that old sort renamed. Its history is not 
known. 

KNIGHT'S LARGE RED. Knight's Ivv 
proved. Pomona. Knight's Large Red, 
Knight's Improved, and Pomona are hope- 
lessly confused. The three names are inter- 
changed for the same variety, and at least a 
half-dozen distinct currants bear the names. 
It is now impossible to select the true type. 
There are better currants than any that pass 
under these names. 

LONDON MARKET. Scotch. London 
Market is considered the best red currant in 
many parts of the Middle West. Its chief 
commendatory characters are ability to with- 
stand hot. dry weather, and resistance to 
currant borers and currant diseases. It is said 
to be also the most resistant of all red currants 
to the pine blister rust. At Geneva, New 
York, however, the foliage is very susceptible 
to the currant aphis. The history of the va- 
riety is obscure ; it is several times mentioned 
as an English variety imported in 1878. It is 
possibly the Scotch of Great Britain. 

Plants tall, upright, vigorous, fairly productive. 
Leaves small, thin, light green, late in opening, very 
abundant. Flowers open in midseason. Fruit late ; 
clusters long, medium compact, tips wfU filled, 12-20 
berries ; berries of medium size, variable, round-oblate, 
dark red ; flesh red, firm, juicy, sprightly ; quality 
good ; seeds medium in number, large. 

MAGNUM BONUM. This variety on the 
grounds of the New York Experiment Station, 
Geneva, New York, is very similar to Ver- 
sailles or identical with it. That the two are 
alike or the same has been noted in other 
plantations both in America and England. 
While the variety was imported from England 
as long ago as 1850, it is believed that the 
currant at Geneva is the Magnum Bonum of 
the original importation. 

NORTH STAR. This is a comparatively 
unimportant currant, grown for about thirty 
years, which is finding less and less favor. The 
small size of the bunches and berries, both of 
which are variable in size, and the indifferent 
quality of the fruit are against it. The variety 
is reported as rather widely grown in the 
northern part of the Mississippi Valley. It 
was introduced by the Jewell Nursen,- Com- 
pany, Lake City, Minnesota, about 1885. 

Plants large, vigorous, rather spreading, dense, me- 
dium productive ; suckers numerous. Leaves very early, 
large, dark green, rugose ; margins nearly serrate ; 
petiole short. Flowers early. Fruit very early ; clusters 
medium in length, poorly filled, loose ; stems and 
pedicels long ; berries small, cling well, round, red ; 
skin smooth, thin, translucent ; flesh red, juicy, fine- 
grained, sprightly ; quality very good ; seeds few, me- 
dium in size. 

PALLUAU. Fertile de Palluau. This va- 
riety, offered by several western nurserymen 
as especially desirable for dry, hot climates, is 
probably Red Dutch; if not identical, the two 
are so similar that the description of Red 




263. Perfection. 
(X%) 



Dutch answers for Palluau. The variety ia 
supposed to have come to the United States 
from France in the middle of the last century. 

PERFECTION. Fig. 263. Although Per- 
fection is a new currant it is well known and 
is being disseminated rapidly in New York and 
parts of the Northwest. 
The outstanding charac- 
ters of the plants are 
vigor, hardiness, health- 
fulness, and productive- 
ness; of the fruit, large 
clusters of uniformly 
large berries borne on a 
long stem, so that pick- 
ing is easy. The berries 
are bright, clear red, and 
are as pleasing in flavor 
as those of anj' other 
variety, and superior to 
those of most other cur- 
rants. The fruit is borne 
on the old wood in a 
manner peculiar to the 
variety. Perfection orig- 
inated with Charles G. 
Hooker, Rochester, New 
York, in 1887. 

Plants large, vigorous, up- 
right>-spreading, hardy, pro- 
ductive, healthy ; branches 
stocky, smooth, long, straight, 
numerous, brownish, dull and 
with little red ; foliage deep 
green, healthy ; season of 

bloom early. Fruit midseason ; very easily picked, ships 
well ; clusters long, compact, cylindrical, slightly taper- 
ing ; stems long, of medium thickness ; pedicels short, 
thick ; berries roundish, uniformly large, cling well to 
the pedicels, bright handsome red ; skin thin but tough ; 
flesh juicy, tender, sprightly subacid ; quality good ; 
seeds intermediate in size and number. 

PRINCE ALBERT. Rivers' Late Red. 
Prince Albert is an old European currant 
grown under many names, but best known by 
English-speaking peoples under the two here 
given. Wherever known, it is valued for its 
very late fruits, which are of large size, have 
thin skins and a most pleasing piquancy of 
flavor. The bushes are vigorous and upright, 
but only moderately productive. The fruit is 
well liked by canners and in the home for 
preserves and jellies. The variety is one of 
the latest to flower as well as to ripen its 
fruits. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright-spreading, very dense, 
medium productive ; suckers of medium number ; canes 
tall, rather slender ; young shoots tinged red. Leaves 
cordate, taper-pointed, dull green, very rugose ; held 
stiffly upright ; petiole 3 inches long, pubescent ; flowers 
late. Fruit very late ; clusters long, well-filled ; stems 
and pedicels short ; berries cling well, of medium size, 
round-oblate, bright red ; skin thin, smooth, tough, 
translucent ; texture firm, juicy ; flavor sour, highly 
flavored ; quality good for dessert purposes ; seeds of 
medium size, numerous. 

RED CROSS. This variety is hardly above 
the ordinary, and is excelled by several others 
of the large-fruited currants. Moreover, in 
the Hudson River Valley, where it was at one 
time rather largely planted, the berries crack 



SOi 



RED DUTCH 



WHITE DUTCH 



badly. Red Cross originated with Jacob 
Moore, Attica, New York, in 1894. 

Plants large, vigorous, spreading, dense, fairly pro- 
ductive. Leaves large, milky-green, held nearly fiat. 
Flowers midseason ; type of R. vulgare. Fruit mid- 
season ; cluster of medium length, tips filled poorly ; 
berries large, round, bright red ; flesh red, juicy, flavor 
mild subacid ; quality good ; seeds large. 




RED DUTCH. Fig. 264. Red Dutch is 

one of the oldest and be.st known red currants, 
now generally discarded in east- 
ern commercial plantations, but 
still largely grown in the Middle 
West. It has many synonyms, 
but in the present confused state 
of currant nomenclature it is 
impossible to name these with 
certainty. The type is well 
established, however, and there 
should be little difficulty in 
identifying the true Red Dutch. 
The variety is passing from cul- 
tivation by reason of the small 
berries, which, how'ever, are ex- 
cellent in quality. This is an old 
European sort, the history of 
which is lost. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright, very 

productive ; canes and shoots slender. 

Leaves rather large, dull green, soft, 

hairy beneath. Flowers midseason, of 

R. ruhntm type. Fruit early ; cluster 

264. long, slender, 10-18 berries, cling well. 

Red small, round, bright red ; flesh red, 

y.. , 1 juicy, firm, sprightly ; quality of the 

JJUtcn. best; seeds medium in size and num- 

(X%) ber. 

RUBY. Moore's Ruby. Although intro- 
duced but a few years ago, two currants are 
now sold under this name, one an early and 
the other a late sort.. Plants on the grounds 
of the New York Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York, secured from the 
originator, Jacob Moore, Attica, New York, 
show the early sort to be the true Ruby. 
Neither fruit nor plant recommends the va- 
riety very highly. It was introduced about 
1895. 

Plants dwarfish, upright, medium in vigor and pro- 
ductiveness. Leaves rather large ; upper surface yellow- 
green ; lower surface milky-green, pubescent. Fruits 
early; clusters short, tips well filled, 10-12 berries; 
berries of medium size, uniform, round, dark red ; flesh 
firm, medium juicy, rich, sprightly ; quality very good ; 
seeds numerous, medium in size. 

VERSAILLES. Long a standard, Ver- 
sailles is now giving way to newer and better 
currants. Lack of productiveness is the chief 
reason for its passing out and, also, there are 
other large-fruited sorts, of which this is a form, 
with larger and more uniform clusters and 
berries of better quality. There is much con- 
fusion in the group of currants to which Ver- 
sailles belongs, and it is almost impossible 
to distinguish Versailles from Cherry, another 
representative of the group. As grown at 
the Geneva Experiment Station, Geneva, New 
York, Versailles has a long bunch, darker fruit, 



and less tendency to "go blind," that is, to 
lack the terminal bud. Versailles is also con- 
fused with several other varieties and has 
many synonyms. It is an old European sort 
brought to America more than a half-century 
ago. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright, not very productive ; 
shoots stout, easily broken, many "blind." Leaves 
large, milky-green, held nearly flat. Flowers early, 
R. vulgare type. Fruit midseason ; clusters of medium 
length, 8-12 berries, well filled to tip ; berries medium 
to large, round, dark red ; flesh firm, juicy, red, mild 
subacid ; quality good ; seeds rather numerous, large. 



VICTORIA. Fig. 265. 
Raby Castle. This variety, 
rather widely grown in Can- 
ada and the United States, is, 
without doubt, Raby Castle, 
an old English currant not 
known under that name on 
this side of the Atlantic. Its 
small berries condemn it for 
commercial plantations. The 
plants are very vigorous and 
productive; the fruit is of 
excellent quality, and keeps 
longer on the bushes than 
that of any other variety. It 
is said to be rather more 
resistant to currant borers 
than other varieties. 

Plants very large, upright, vigor- 
ous, healthy and productive. Leaves 
large, yellowish-green, thick, soft, 
under surface very pubescent. Flow- 
ers midseason, sepals tinged with 
red, R. rubrum type. Fruit late 
midseason ; clusters short to medium, 
filled to the tip, 10-20 lorries ; stem 
yellow, downy ; berries cling well, 
held on stem to one side, small to 
medium, round-oblate, bright red ; 
flesh red. firm, juicy, rather too sour 
for dessert ; quality fair ; seeds large, 
rather numerous. 



WHITE DUTCH. Fig. 266. This is a 

very old sort grown under at least a dozen 
names and badly confused 
with other white currants. 
The fruits are about the 
earliest and sweetest white 
currants, characters which 
help to distinguish the vari- 
ety ; they are a little darker 
in color than those of White 
Grape, with which White 
Dutch is often confused. Un- 
fortunately, the berries are not 
very large and are not uni- 
form, to offset which fault 
the.y are most excellent in 
quality. White Dutch is an 
old European currant, the 
history of which is not known. 

Plants vfgorous, upright-spread- 
ing, very productive ; suckers num- 
erous. Leaves cordate, taper-pointed, 
266. White rugose, pubescent, with margins 

■p . 1 nearly serrate; petiole 2^ inches 





. 2/ \ ^o^S '< flowers midseason. Fruit 

( X 73 ) early ; clusters short, medium com- 



WHITE GRAPE 



CHAMPION 



305 



pact, tips poorly filled, with berries small to medium, 
cling well, round-oblate, yellowish-white ; skin thin, 
smooth, tender ; Hesh white, rather dry, fine-grained, mild 
subacid, almost sweet ; quality excellent ; seeds small, 
rather numerous. 

WHITE GRAPE. White Antwerp. White 
Grape is distinguished by having the largest 
cluster and berry of all white-fruited currants. 
The quality of the fruit is not so good as that 
of White Dutch, being sourer and not so rich. 
Because of its handsome fruits and fill-basket 
qualities, it is the best commercial variety of 
the white currants. Its history is unknown, 
except that it came from Europe and has long 
been grown in America. There are several 
synonyms, the nomenclature being in a bad 
state of confusion. 

Plants of medium size and vigor, spreading, some- 
times sprawling, productive ; canes and branches rather 
slender. Leaves of medium size, thick, soft, pubescent 
on lower surface, yellowish -green. Flowers midseason, 
R. rubrum type. Fruit midseason; clusters long, tips 
filled poorly, loose, berries 8-16 ; berries large, round- 
ovate, clear translucent wliite, not creamy as is White 
Dutch ; flesh firm, juicy, subacid ; quality good ; seeds 
large, numerous. 

WHITE IMPERIAL. The fruits of White 
Imperial are rated as best in quality of all 
currants. The rich, almost sweet flavor, 
makes it a choice dessert fruit. The plant- 
characters are not so good as those of several 
other white varieties, and the currants are not 
so attractive in appearance. The history of 
the variety is not known, except that it was 
sold and strongly recommended by the late 
S. D. Willard, Geneva, New York, beginning 
about 1890. 

Plants rather small, spreading, medium in vigor and 
productiveness. Leaves and tiowers of the R. rubrum 
type ; flowers midseason. Fruit midseason ; clusters 
medium to long, well filled to the tips ; fruit-stems 
long, making easy work in picking ; l.erries medium 
to large, creamy white, roundish ; flesh firm, juicy, 
sweet, rich ; quality excellent ; seeds medium in size 
and number. 

WILDER. Fig. 267. Presi- 
dent Wilder. Wilder is a red 
currant of the Versailles type, 
being a seedling of that sort, 
which it greatly surpasses in 
vigor, productiveness, and 
size and appearance of fruit. 
In the great currant regions 
of New York, Wilder is now 
the favorite variety, and in 
the race for commercial su- 
premacy continues to increase 
the lead it now holds The 
fruits are exceptionally hand- 
some, higher in quality, and 
hang longer after ripening 
than those of any other com- 
mercial sort. A fault is that 
the fruits are not always uni- 
form in size. Wilder orig- 
inated with E. G. Teas, Irvington, Indiana, 
about 1878. 

Plants large, upright-spreading, vigorous, healthy, 
productive. Leaves large, nearly flat, milky-green, 
thick. Flowers early, R. vulgare tj-pe. Fruit late; 



clusters long, compact, tips filled rather poorly ; fruit- 
stems long; 8-10 berries; which are large, variable in 
size, round-oblate, dark red ; flesh red, firm, juicy, mild 
subacid ; quality good ; seeds large. 




VARIETIES OF BLACK CURRANTS 

BALDWIN. This black currant is listed 
in European catalogs and is offered occasion- 
ally by American nurserymen. European 
writers say that it is the earliest black currant 
to leaf, and that the fruit is not so strong in 
flavor as that of other black currants. Beach 
of Geneva, New York, described the variety 
in 1895 as follows: 

"Bush moderately vigorous, and productive. Fruit 
varies from small to large, averaging medium size. 
Fla\or milder than that of Common Black. It is sev- 
eral days later than Common Black in ripening." 

BLACK GRAPE. Ogdens Black Grape. 
This is an old English currant introduced in 
America about 1885. In England, it is strongly 
recommended for a market sort because of its 
vigorous, productive bushes and its large, sweet 
berries. In America, it was reported in 1895 
on the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station as vigorous but unpro- 
ductive, and as producing fruits which varied 
from large to small, with strongly flavored 
acid pulp. 

BOSKOOP GIANT. Fig. 
268. In England, where this 
fruit is much more highly 
esteemed than in America, 
Boskoop Giant is rated as 
quite the best all-round black 
currant. The characters which 
recommend it are very large, 
sweet, richlj'-flavored berries, 
and vigorous, productive 
bushes. The plants flower 
late, but the fruit ripens early. 
The crop can be gathered at 
one picking, and the berries 
hung long on the bushes after 
ripening. The variety was 
imported into England from 
Holland in 1896, by George 
Bunyard & Co., Ltd., Maid- 
stone, and was soon after 
brought to America by several 
nurserymen. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright, 
productive ; canes numerous, rather 

slender. Leaves large, dull green, with numerous, aro- 
matic glands on the under surface ; margin coarsely 
serrate ; petiole short. Flowers late. Fruit midseason ; 
clusters larje, loose, not well filled ; stem long, 
glandular ; berries 8-14, large, cling well, round, black ; 
skin glandular, thin, opaque ; flesh greenish, tinged red 
at skin, fine-grained ; juicy, rich and sweet, aromatic ; 
quality excellent ; seeds small, numerous. 

CHAMPION. This black currant has long 
been grown in New York, where it is liked 
for its vigorous, productive bushes and large, 
mild-flavored currants. It seems to have been 
brought to the United States from England 
about 1880, but how long it was cultivated in 
the Old World does not annpor 




306 



COMMON BLACK 



DESERET 



Bushes large:, vigorous, spreading, productive ; canes 
numerous, rather slender. Leaves large, dull green, 
pubescent, resinous on the under side ; margins hairy, 
coarsely serrate. Flowers late. Fruit late ; clusters 
rather short, loose, tips well filled; berries 6-10, cling 
well, medium to large, round, black ; skin opaque, 
glandular, thin ; flesh firm, rather dry, yellowish, tinged 
red at the skin, sprightly, rich, aromatic ; quality very 
good ; seeds small, numerous. 

COMMON BLACK. Black English. This 
is an old black currant now little grown, al- 
though listed in several catalogs. It is probable 
that three or four 
varieties are sent 
out under this 
name. At the State 
Experiment Sta- 
tion, Geneva, New 
York, the bushes 
are of spreading 
habit, vigorous, and 
productive, and 
^ bear fruits of me- 
dium size, which 
are rather too acid, 
too strongly - fla- 
vored, and ripen 
^"l-- ^""^llSi *°° unevenly to be 

desirable. 

NAPLES. Fig. 
269. Black Naples. 
An old variety, 
long a standard in 
Europe, Naples is 
being discarded 
abroad, but is still 
one of the com- 
monest black cur- 
rants in America. 
It should give way to better sorts on this side 
of the Atlantic, as the fruits are exceedingly 




269. Naples. (X%) 



variable in size, the clusters small, and the 
flavor rather too strong to be pleasant. It is 
mentioned by Kenrick as a new importation 
to America in 1832. 

Plants large, very dense, vigorous, rather unproduc- 
tive. Leaves rather large, light green, appearing very 
early. Flowers very late, strong disagreeable odor. 
Fruit latest of all black currants ; clusters short, 4-10 
berries, tips well filled ; berries small to large, variable, 
round, black ; pedicel with one or two bracts where 
attached to berry ; skin glandular, thick, tough ; flesh 
greenish, juicy, tart, strongly flavored, aromatic ; quality 
fair ; seeds small, numerous. 



VARIETIES OF GOLDEN CURRANTS 

CRANDALL. Crandall is the sole repre- 
sentative of R. odoratum widely distributed 
throughout the country, being a familiar in- 
habitant of dooryards and parks as an orna- 
mental. The tough skin and unpleasant flavor 
condemn it as a garden plant. The variety is 
often sold under the name Flowering Currant. 
There is said to be a productive strain on the 
market. 

Plant 8 feet in height, very vigorous, hardy, unpro- 
ductive. Leaves roundish cordate, 3 inclies broad, thin, 
pubescent on both surfaces ; margins coarsely serrate ; 
petiole short, slender. Flowers late, yellow, few ; 
pedicels short, pubescent, green. Fruits borne in clus- 
ters of 1-5, drop when ripe, ^z inch in diameter, round- 
oblate, black, glossy, smooth ; flesh greenish-yellow, 
rather drj', sprightly, very aromatic ; quality fair ; seeds 
many. 

DESERET. Deseret, Golden, and Jelly are 

other named sorts of the golden currant which 
occasionally appear in catalogs from the Mid- 
dle West and Rocky Mountain regions, where 
the Europeans grow but poorly or not at all. 
No one of the three is as worthy of cultivation 
as Crandall. They are most commonly grown 
in Utah, and probably originated in that state. 



CHAPTER XX 
VARIETIES OF GOOSEBERRIES 



Compared with European varieties, Ameri- 
can gooseberries are far from perfect. This 
fruit has been much neglected by fruit-growers 
and nurseiymen in this country. A well- 
ripened gooseberry is one of the most de- 
lectable of fruits, yet the American people 
have had little opportunity to become ac- 
quainted with the ripe product, as fruit- 
growers in this country nearly always send the 
crop to market in the green state. Neglect 
takes another turn. With curious persistence, 
in the light of their own interests, fruit-growers 
and nurserj'men insist on growing Houghton 
and Downing, when several other varieties 
with larger, handsomer, better-flavored fruits, 
and with plants as hardy and productive, could 
be grown. Gooseberry-culture in America, 
therefore, is in the deplorable state of being 
represented by two inferior sorts, when the 
culture of a dozen choicely good kinds would 
sooner or later put the gooseberry in the ranks 
of the major fruits, as it is in England, where 
several hundreds of varieties have been intro- 
duced, a fair proportion of which are now 
under cultivation. But nineteen varieties are 
now prominent enough for mention in Amer- 
ica; several of these probably exist in name 
only, the plants being identical with those of 
older sorts; and, at present, there is little in- 
terest in this fruit. Gooseberry-culture in this 
country awaits the stimulus of better varieties, 
the marketing of the ripened product instead 
of the green, and the increasing demand al- 
most sure to follow these stimulants. 

CARRIE. R. hirteUum X R- Grossularia. 
In Minnesota, Wisconsin and neighboring 
states, where only the hardiest fruits can be 
grown, Carrie is becoming the most popular 
gooseberry. It is much like Houghton but 
distinct, although some maintain that it is 
identical, and does not deserve to replace the 
older sort where the latter is now established. 
The variety originated with W.vman Elliott, 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, from seed of Hough- 
ton, supposed to have been crossed with In- 
dustry; the seed was planted in 1892. 

Plants very large, spreading, dense, productive ; canes 
long, slender, willowy ; spines slender, short, few. 
Leaves large, thick, dull green, glossy, free from 
mildew. Flowers midseason, singly or in clusters of 
2, 3, or 5. Berries small, round-oval, purplish-red, con- 
spicuously veined, grayisli bloom ; pedicel slender ; flesh 
green, firm, juicy, translucent, pleasantly subacid ; qual- 
ity good to very good ; seeds small, rather few. 

CHAUTAUQUA. Fig. 270. R. Grossu- 
laria. It is surprising that Chautauqua is not 



more generally grown, as it is far superior to 
Houghton and Downing, which nurserymen 
keep constantly before their customers. Chau- 
tauqua is less easily propagated than the 
sorts named, hence difficult to obtain and 
consequently neglected. It 
is a fine gooseberry of the 
European type, almost free 
from mildew, and easily 
grown wherever the com- 
paratively worthless Hough- 
ton and Downing will thrive. 
The original plant was found 
by Lewis Roesch, Fredonia, 
New York, in 1876. It is 
probably a pure-bred Euro- 
pean and possibly an old 
English sort renamed. Free- 
dom, Columbus, Portage, 
Triumph, Duplication, Wel- 
lington Glory, and Careless 
are all very similar, and no 
doubt some of them are 
identical. 

Plants medium large, vigorous, stocky, upright- 
spreading, rather dense, very productive, with but little 
mildew ; suckers few, smooth, straight, rather long, 
with short intemodes, dull, light gray ; spines thick, 
strong, numerous, long, very sharp, in ones, twos and 
threes. Lea\'es obovate, taper-pointed, thick ; upper 
surface glossy, light green, smooth, glabrous ; lower 
surface olive-green ; margin blunt-crenate ; petiole about 
% inch long, slender, pubescent. Flowers midseason. 
Fruit midseason ; large in diameter, round-oval, silvery 
green ; pedicels % inch long, pubescent ; skin smooth, 
covered with bloom, thick, tough, translucent ; flesh 
pale green, juicy, firm, sweet ; quality good ; seeds 
large, 




COLUMBUS. Fig. 
271. R. Grossularia. 
Very similar to Chau- 
tauqua, or identical 
with it, Columbus is 
offered by several nur- 
serymen as distinct. If 
it differs from Chau- 
tauqua, it is in the 
fruits, which seem to 
some authorities to be 
larger and yellower. On 
the assumption that it 
does differ in fruit, it is 
well to let the variety 
stand, as it is one of 
the best of the English 
gooseberries for Amer- 
ican conditions. It was introduced by EU- 
wanger & Barry, Rochester, New York, some 
time previous to 1890. 




271. Columbus. 
(XI) 



307 



CROWN BOB 



INDUSTRY 



CROWN BOB. Fig. 272. R. Grossularia. 
Mildew, tlie Ixme of English gooseberries, 
keeps Crown Bob from being a valuable va- 
riety in America. It is one of the best goose- 
berries in quality of 
fruit, its rich vinous 
flavor making it par- 
ticularly delectable. To 
have the fruit at its 
best, picking must not 
be hurried. Industry, 
to which Crown Bob is 
similar, is much freer 
from mildew and should 
be planted in preference 
to this variety for mar- 
kets. Crown Bob is an 
old English sort long 
grown in America. 

Plants dwarfish, spreading, 
vigorous, very productive. 
Fruit early, darlt red, me- 
dium to large, nearly round ; 
skin thin, somewhat hairy ; 
tiesh firm, juicy, rich, sweet; 
quality good. 




272. Crown Bob. 

(XI) 




DOWNING. Fig. 273. R. hirtellum X R- 
Grossularia. Downing is the standard goose- 
berry derived from a native species, although 
it is now agreed by all that t is a hybrid, 
possibly secondary or tertiary, ^vith the Euro- 
pean gooseberry. The vines 
are wonderfully vigorous, 
healthy and productive, and 
the fruits, although small, 
are smooth, thin-skinned, at- 
tractive in appearance, and 
of ver>' good quality. It is 
grown more widely in Amer- 
ica than any other goose- 
berry. Houghton is often 
substituted for Downing, 
being more easily propa- 
gated. The fruit must be 
picked as soon as full size, 
since decay sets in soon 
after maturity. Downing 
originated from seed of Houghton sown by 
Charles Downing, Newburgh, New York, about 
1860. 

Plants medium in size, very vigorous, very productive, 
upright, dense-topped ; canes stout, somewhat resembling 
those of European gooseberries. Leaves large, glabrous ; 
margin crenate, somewhat hairy. Flowers midseason, 
American type, green tinged with red. Fruit midseason, 
small, round-oval, pale green with light bloom ; skin 
thin and smooth ; flesh soft, juicy, rich, sweetish but 
sprightly ; quality very good : seeds small, numerous. 

FREEDOM. R. Grossularia. Freedom ap- 
pears to be identical with Columbus in the 
plants, and in size, shape, and color of fruit. 
The two varieties differ, perhaps, in the fruits, 
those of Freedom having a sweeter, richer 
flavor and thinner skins. Freedom differs from 
Chautauqua, if at all, only in slightly larger 
and somewhat yellower fruits. The origin of 
the variety is unknown. 



HOUGHTON. Fig. 274. R. hirtellum X 
R. Grossularia. After Downing, Houghton is 
the most widely and commonly planted goose- 
berry in America. However, 
the variety has several faults 
and does not deserve its popu- 
larity. Faults are: the fruits 
are very small and uninviting 
in appearance and taste ; the 
foliage is susceptible to mildew 
and aphis; and canners, to 
whom gooseberries are mostly 
sold, do not like the fruit. 
Good characters are: the plants 
are very hardy, vigorous, and 
productive ; the variety thrives 
under a great diversity of con- 
ditions; the berries are rich, 
sweet, and of excellent quality. 
This is the oldest American 
gooseberry of note, having originated with 
Abel Houghton, Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1833. 
It is probably a hybrid between a European 
and an American gooseberry. 

Plants medium in size, spreading, very vigorous, very 
productive ; canes rather slender, drooping. Leaves 
large, dark green, glabrous or nearly so ; margin crenate, 
hairy. Flowers midseason, .\merican type. Fruit mid- 
season, very small, round-oval, dark red with light 
bloom ; skin thin, smooth ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet and 
rich ; quality very good ; seeds small, 




INDUSTRY. Fig. 275. R. Grossularia. 
Whinham's Industry. By common consent. 
Industry is given the place of honor as the best 
of the European gooseberries in America. It 
is one of the most vig- 
orous varieties of its 
class; rather more pro- 
ductive than any other 
European; while by no 
means free from mil- 
dew, it often passes 
through a season with- 
out much mildew, and 
when infected, the fun- 
gus is usually readily 
controlled by spraying. 




The large claret -red 
berries, rich, sweet, and 
delicately piquant, are 
about the most inviting 
of all gooseberries to 
eye and palate. Picking 
niust not be hurried, if 
color and taste are to 
reach the condition 
where nothing requisite 
is wanting. Industry has 

been grown in America for at least a half cen- 
tury, and no doubt would be grown more 
generally now, were it not difficult to propa- 
gate. It is an old English sort. 

Plants of medium size, vigorous, upright, productive 
canes rather straight and stout. Leaves of medium size 
thick, dark green, glabrous except on ribs and veins. 
Flowers midseason, large, borne singly. Fruit early, 
large, Ihi inches in diameter, round-oblong, sometimes 
pear-shaped, smooth or nearly so, deep claret red with 



LANCASHIRE LAD 



RED JACKET 



309 



lines of light flecks ; flesh yellowish-green, firm, juicy, 
mild subacid, nearly sweet ; quality good ; seeds medium 
in size, numerous. 

LANCASHIRE LAD. R. Grossularia. 
This variety must be named among the half- 
dozen best European gooseberries for Ameri- 
can culture, being a favorite market sort where- 
ever it succeeds. The fruits stand shipment 
well and are pleasing in flavor, but unless per- 
mitted to mature completely, are somewhat 
austere. The most important consideration is 
that the plants are comparatively little in- 
fected by mildew. Lancashire Lad is an old 
English sort long grown in America. 

Plants small, erect, compact, a little lacking in vigor, 
fairly productive. Fruit midseason, medium to large, 
round or round-oblong, dark red, with lines of light 
flecks, skin hairy ; ticsh firm, juicy, mild subacid ; 
quality good ; seeds rather small, numerous. 

OREGON. R. hirtcllum X R. Grossularia. 
Oregon Champion. Resemblmg Downing, of 
which it is probably a seedling, this variety 
appears to have merits not possessed by its 
parent in some regions. Thus, it is strongly 
recommended in the Pacific Northwest and in 
Indiana. On the grounds of the Experiment 
Station, Geneva, New York, it is similar in 
plant and fruit to Downing, differing in the 
plants being slightly more productive, while 
the fruits are yellower at maturity and later 
in season. The description of Downing answers 
for this variety, except in the characters 
named. Oregon is said to thrive under 
neglect rather better than most other goose- 
berries. The variety originated with O. D. 
Dickinson, Salem, Oregon, sometime previous 
to 1880, when it seems to have been first de- 
scribed. 

PALE RED. Fig. 276. R. hirtellum. 
American Cluster. Chi^ter. Ohio Prolific. 
Now seldom to be found, Pale Red is worthy 
of notice only because it is the sole pure-bred 
representative of R. hirtellum, and 
also one of the oldest American 
varieties under cultivation. It has 
many synonyms, of which Cluster 
and American Cluster are most 
often used. The vigorous, produc- 
tive plants and the tender, sweet 
berries commend the variety. The 
berries, however, are quite too 
Pale Red. small for present demands, and if 
(XI) Pale Red has any value, it is as 
a parent to cross with some large- 
fruited sort to produce a variety of high qual- 
ity. When and where Pale Red originated is 
not known, but it has been grown for at least 
a century. 

PEARL. R. hirtellum X R. Grossularia. 
Although distinct, Pearl is so similar to 
Downing, one of its parents, that a separate 
description is not necessary. The two varie- 
ties have been tested side by side many times, 
and all making the comparison agree that 
Pearl differs from Downing only in the fniits, 
which have a slightly different flavor and may 
be larger; possibly the plants are somewhat 





277. Poorman. 
(XI) 



more productive. Even with the points of 
superiority, the cultivation of Pearl is not 
worth pushing, as there are several better 
varieties. Pearl originated with Wm. Saun- 
ders, London, Ontario, from seed of Downing 
pollinated by Aston's Seedling, a European 
sort. It was introduced about 1885. 

POORMAN. Fig. 277. R. hirtellum X R. 
Grossularia. At once attracting attention on 
account of the vigor and productiveness of the 
bushes and the handsome appearance and high 
quality of the fruit, plants 
and berries of Poorman give 
it a place as the leader 
among gooseberries grown 
in America. The vigor of 
the variety is so great that 
the plants must be set far- 
ther apart than with most 
kinds. The berries are larger 
than those of Downing, best 
known of American sorts, 
more oval, and red instead 
of green; their quality is 
excellent. The variety orig- 
inated about 1890, with W. 
H. Craighead, Brigham City, 
Utah. It is said to be a 
cross of Houghton and 
Downing, and bush and fruit would indicate 
such parentage. It is also stated that the seed 
from which this variety grew was brought from 
Denmark, — a statement hardly creditable from 
the appearance of the plants. 

Plants large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, 
hardy, very productive, not susceptible to mildew ; 
branches stocky, rough, long, usually straight, re- 
sembling those of Downing ; spines thick, strong, long, 
less numerous and thicker than those of Houghton, 
variable in number ; foliage healthy. Fruit matures 
early, period of ripening long, readily picked, ships 
well ; berries over 1 inch long, nearly 1 inch through, 
oval to slightly obovate, semi-transparent, silvery-green 
changing at full maturity to pinkish-red ; quality good ; 
seeds numerous, small. 



PORTAGE. R. Grossularia. On the 
grounds of the Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, it is impossible to tell this variety 
from Chautauqua; plants have been purchased 
at different times from several reliable nursery- 
men. The variety, however, is described as 
distinct and as valuable by the Division of 
Pomology, United States Department of Agri- 
culture, in their reports for 1891 and 1894. 
These authorities describe the fruit as large 
to very large, yellowish green, with a mild, 
subacid flavor, and firm flesh, which makes 
it a good shipper. The variety is little known 
among berry-growers. It originated with A. H. 
Hoare, Montana Station, Ohio, as a chance 
seedling found about 1874. 

RED JACKET. Fig. 278. R. hirtellum 
X R. Grossularia. Red Jacket has excellent 
plant-characters, but the berries are quite too 
small for the variety to have value for commer- 
cial plantations. It may have a place in home 



310 



RUNGE 



WELLINGTON GLORY 




plantings or for plant-breeding, as the berries 
are of especially high quality, being juicy, rich, 
and fragrant. Red Jacket is a hybrid between 
Houghton and Red Warring- 
ton, a European sort; the 
cross was made by Wm. 
Saunders, London, Ontario, 
about 1876. Thers is an 
English variety of the same 
name, but it is doubtful 
whether it is to be found 
in America. 

Plant vigorous, productive, 
healthy, being practically free 
from mildew. Fruit small to 
278. medium, round-oblong, reddish- 

Red Jacket. S''''^" becoming pale red ; skin 

/v^*\ smooth; flesh firm, juicy, trans- 

^•^ ' parent, sweet, rich; quality very 

good ; seeds small, numerous. 

RUNGE. R. Grossularia. Runge, recently 
introduced in the Hudson River Valley, ap- 
pears to be another variant of Chautauqua. It 
is said that the plants are more productive and 
less susceptible to mildew, and that the berries 
are larger and ripen later than those of Chau- 
tauqua. At Geneva, New York, the variety 
cannot be distinguished from Chautauqua, 
though pains have been taken to obtain it 
from its original source. The history of the 
variety cannot be learned; no doubt the origi- 
nal plant appeared as an especially choice 
bush of Chautauqua in some of the many 
gooseberry plantations on the banks of the 
Hudson River. 

TRIUMPH. R. Grossxdaria. On the 
grounds of the Experiment Station, Geneva, 
New York, it is impossible to tell this variety 



from Chautauqua, although it is difficult to 
make sure that the plants came from the 
original stock. The bush is described by va- 
rious pomological authorities as being vigorous 
in growth, comparatively free from mildew, 
and very productive. The berries are said to 
be oblong or round-oblong, pale yellow, sweet, 
rich, and of high quality. Perhaps Triumph 
is an improvement on Chautauqua, and as 
such might well be tried. Its origin seems not 
to be known, but it has been under cultivation 
since 1885, when it was first mentioned. 

VAN FLEET. R. hirtcUum X R- Grosm- 
laria. This new gooseberry, a hybrid between 
an American and a European gooseberry, 
named after its originator, W. Van Fleet, is 
being introduced by the J. T. Lovett Co., 
Little Silver, New jersey. It is described as 
follows: 

Plant extremely productive, with glossy resistant 
foliage remaining until early winter. Berries large, 
roundish, light red ; skin thin, smooth ; quality very 
good : seeds few. 

WELLINGTON GLORY. R. Grossu- 
laria. As distributed at present by American 
nurserymen, Wellington Glory is Chautauqua. 
If ever distinct in this country, the variety is 
lost to fruit-growers, if not to nurserymen, 
many of whom list it. The catalogs describe 
Wellington Glory as a strong-gro%ving sort, 
almost free from mildew, bearing large, oblong, 
smooth fruits, which are pale yellow or nearly 
white, sweet, and of good quality. Presum- 
ably the original plants were introduced from 
England, and the variety has been in this 
country at least a half century. 



PART VI 
HEATH-FRUITS 



CHAPTER XXI 



BOTANY OF HEATH-FRUITS 



The heath family (Ericaceae) furnishes a 
domesticated plant without its like for certain 
soils and without equal for certain purposes. 
This unique plant is the cranberry. Several 
other heath plants are favorite wild fruits in 
all quarters of the globe. These are variously 
called blueberries, bilberries, huckleberries, 
whortleberries, whinberries, blaeberries, moor- 
berries, deerberries, farkleberries, cowberries, 
foxberries, and dangleberries. These plants 
belong to as many species as there are com- 
mon names, or more, as some of the common 
names are applied to more than one species. 
All, including the cranberry, are members of 
two genera in the heath family, Vaccinium and 
Gaylussacia, both of which are composed of 
woody plants presenting all gradations from 
slender, delicate, trailing vines to sturdy 
shrubs. Both genera are of social habit, most 
of the species, wherever found, covering ex- 
tensive tracts; both prefer the humus of peat- 
bogs, swamps, woods, or heath. Vaccinium is 
much the more important of the two species. 

Vaccinium. — Erect or trailing woody plants. Leaves 
evergreen or deciduous, alternate, leathery or succulent. 
Flowers axillary or terminal, solitary, clustered or 
racemed ; white or reddish ; corolla variously shaped, 
4-5 cleft; sepals 4-5 or obsolete; stanien 8 or 10; 
anthers opening by a hole at the apex. Fruit a berry, 
4-5-celled, many seeded, sometimes 8-10-celled by a 
fake partition from the back of the cell to the placenta ; 
capped by the persistent calyx. 

The genus is represented by more than a 
hundred species, which encircle the globe in 
the North Temperate Zone, a few being found 
in the South Temperate Zone. In the northern 
hemisphere, species are found from the moun- 
tains of the tropics to well within the Arctic 
Circle. Vacciniums are most common in tem- 
perate North America and the mountains of 
central and southern Asia. 

There is much confusion in the common 
names of species of Vaccinium. While the 
common names found in the botanies, as 
given on this page may be used or have been 
used by English-speaking people somewhere or 
sometime, they are now seldom heard in 
America. Heath-fruits pass under three com- 
mon names in North America — cranberries, 
blueberries, and huckleberries. Red-fruited 
species of Vaccinium are almost universally 
called cranberries, with such qualifying ad- 
jectives as large, small, low-bush, or high-bush. 
It is not so easy to define the use of blueberry 
and huckleberry. In most parts of the United 
States, the two names are used without dis- 
tinction, but in the North Atlantic and New 
England states blueberries are fruits of the 



genus Vaccinium in which the seeds are nu- 
merous but so small as not to be noticed in 
eating, while huckleberries are fruits of the 
genus Gaylussacia, the berries of which contain 
ten large, hard seeds. In some of the central 
states, huckleberries are the produce of the 
high-bush, dark-fruited Vacciniums, while the 
berries of low-growing species are called blue- 
berries. The New England usage of blueberry 
for species of Vaccinium and huckleberry for 
the Gaylussacias is best, and the names will 
be so used in this text. 

THE FORM AND STRUCTURE OF HEATH-FRUITS 

Cranberries and blueberries are the least 
known of pomological plants. They belong to 
a botanical family which has marked peculi- 
arities in structure of plant, in habits of growth, 
and in choice of environment; moreover, they 
have been under cultivation so short a time, and 
their culture is restricted to so few regions, 
that fruit-growers have not had opportunities 
to become acquainted with them. It is espe- 
cially necessary, therefore, that those who 
grow these fruits should know the gross struc- 
ture and habits of growth in order properly to 
propagate, transplant, prune, and otherwise 
care for them, as well as to identify species 
and varieties. Fortunately the botany of 
heath-fruits is easily learned. The structures 
of fruit and plant, and the habits of growth are 
distinctive, and, since there are no closely re- 
lated fruits for which cranberries and huckle- 
berries can possibly be mistaken, all characters 
of heath-fruits are readily impressed on the 
mind. 

The plant. 

As with other fniits, all of the organs and 
characters of the plant must be portrayed m 
descriptions of these fruits. Size and vigor of 
plant usually receive first attention, care being 
taken not to confuse vigor with size, since 
small plants may be quite as vigorous — may 
have just as much internal push — as large 
plants. The different species and varieties of 
heath-fruits show quite as many peculiarities 
of growth as other cultivated fruits, all of 
which must be characterized. The thickness, 
color, direction of growth, and length of in- 
ternodes of the woody parts must all be 
noted. The stems of some species of Vaccinium 
are pubescent ; of others glabrous. Some are 
warty, or speckled, or otherwise peculiarly 
marked. There are low-bush and high-bush 
forms of both cranberries and blueberries, so 



314 



THE FOLIAGE 



THE FRUIT 



that the height of the plant needs to be set 
down accurately. Hardiness is of little impor- 
tance with heath-fruits, but such other con- 
stitutional characters as productiveness, adapt- 
ability to soils and climates, and susceptibility 
to pests count for as much in the descriptions 
of these fruits as with any others. Most of the 
cranberries are picked with scoops, so that it is 
necessary to state in a description whether or 
not a varietyiis adapted to scoop-picking. 

The method of propagating cranberries is by 
cuttings, which are obtained by mowing vig- 
orous vines in an old bog with a scythe ; some 
varieties are much better adapted to this 
method of propagation than others, and state- 
ments as to suitability for propagation have 
value in a description. No doubt it will be 
found that species and varieties of blueberries 
vary greatly in their adaptability to methods of 
propagation, which seem to be difficult at best, 
so that statements in detail as to the best 
method of propagating species or varieties of 
blueberries ought to be valuable in any de- 
scription of this fruit. 

The methods of planting and caring for the 
heath-fruits differ so greatly from those em- 
ployed with other fruits, that it will require 
many years to determine which are best. 
Meanwhile, it may be found that species and 
varieties differ greatly in their requirements 
for planting and care, so that, while scarcely 
permissible with older fruits, some cultural 
directions can well be given in describing 
heath-fruits. These, of course, can be given 
only by those who have expert knowledge, 
and can hardly be included in a manual of 
pomology such as this. 

The joliage. 

The size, shape, position, and angle of at- 
tachment of leaf- and flower-buds may be used 
in identifying heath-fruits, as they are with 
the fruits longer under cultivation, in which 
data as to these characters are considered 
valuable in a full description. Certainly the 
leaves must be fully described in any descrip- 
tion worth taking. The size, color, shape, and 
texture of the leaves must be faithfully re- 
corded. Leaves of heath-fruits are small and 
simple in outline, so that drawings can well 
accompany descriptions. 

In separating species of these fruits, size, 
shape, and color of leaves are fine marks of 
distinction, and no doubt the pomologist will 
find them as valuable in separating varieties. 
In some species the leaves are evergreen; in 
others, deciduous. The leaves of V. -pennsyl- 
vanicum, one of the blueberries offering pos- 
sibilities for cultivation, are glabrous south- 
ward and pubescent northward. The leaves 
of the small cranberry. F. Oxycoccus, are con- 
spicuously whitened beneath, while those of 
the large cranberry, V. macrocarpon, are but 
slightly whitened. There is considerable dif- 
ference in the degree of whiteness of the lower 
surface of leaves of varieties of cultivated 
cranberries. The margins of the leaves of the 
low sweet blueberry, V. pennsylvanicum, are 



serrate, the teeth being bristle-pointed, while 
the margins of the high or swamp blueberry 
are entire in the type species, but serrate with 
bristly teeth in two botanical varieties. 
Whether the leaves are light-green, dark-green, 
or blue-green is a fine mark of distinction in 
separating species of blueberries. 

While the characters of leaves as named are 
those used by botanists, they offer suggestions 
to those describing the cultivated varieties. 
So far, few varieties of blueberries have been 
delimited from the species, but, as will be seen, 
there are a good many varieties of cranberries 
of which the fruits are well described, but 
almost nothing is said of plant, foliage or 
flower, although these organs must offer valu- 
able means of identification as well as pecu- 
liarities that should be taken into account in 
cultivation. 

The flowers. 

All of the species of heath-fruits may be 
identified by their floral organs. Of just how 
much importance the floral organs may be in 
the identification of the score or more varieties 
of cranberries now under cultivation does not 
appear from the published descriptions or 
manuscript notes that the author has seen. 
One may assume, however, from the distinc- 
tions between wild types which botanists find, 
that the floral organs can be made of use in 
distinguishing domesticated types. Current 
descriptions of cranberries, if the flowers are 
mentioned at all, record only the color of the 
blossoms, which are white more or less marked 
with pink. The blossoming period is usually 
mentioned, this being a matter of importance 
because of danger from frost if the blossoms 
appear too early. The flowering period is 
often retarded by flooding until danger of 
frost is past, so that it is important to state 
whether the winter water was drawn off early 
or late. The flowers of cranberries are borne 
on short upright shoots of the previous sea- 
son's growth, which are called uprights. Full 
descriptions of varieties should contain a state- 
ment of the average number of flowers the 
upright bears and the number that set fruit. 

The jruit. 

The heath-fruits so far brought under cul- 
tivation, whether species or varieties, are 
chiefly known b.v tlieir noteworthy fruit-char- 
acters, which at once appeal to the senses of 
sight and taste. Those describing them char- 
acterize groups almost wholly from the fruits, 
saying little or nothing of the plants. With 
greater refinements in separating varieties of 
the several species, more will be said about 
the plants, although not less about the fruits. 

As with other fruits, season of ripening is 
about the first character and certainly one of 
the most important characters to be recorded. 
The period during which the fruit may be kept 
under the different methods of storage would 
seem to be desirable, although it is not often 
stated in current descriptions. A part of the 



THE FRUIT 



THE FRUIT 



315 



blueberry crop is canned, a part evaporated, 
while the largest part is used in the fresh state. 
Most of the cranberry crop is stored for use 
in the fresh state. Descriptions of species or 
varieties of either of these fruits should state 
the value of the fruit for these purposes. The 
economic status of varieties of the cranberry 
is given for the several distinct regions in 
which this fruit is grown, wide differences of 
value being found in different states. In 
giving the economic status, the chief items 
seem to be the extent of acreage, the yield 
from an acre, and the current price for a 
barrel of fruit. 

The size and shape of the berries must be 
given as accurately as po.ssible. The terms 
large, small, and medium are hardly accurate 
enough for the size, and figures for length and 
diameter should be given, or an outline of 
a transverse- and horizontal-section. The 
size of cranberries is often given by stating 
the number required to fill a half-pint cup. 
Illustrations may be used to show the shape 
of the fruits; or, as a rule, the shapes of all 
heath-fruits are so simple that they may be 
portrayed very accurately by words Uni- 
formity in size and shape is particularly de- 
sirable in cranberries and blueberries, there- 
fore a description must take uniformity into 
account. 

Cranberries are sometimes picked before 
ripe, or a part of the crop may be unripe; it 
is therefore necessary to state the color when 
partly ripe and the color at maturity. It is 
necessary to know, also, whether the fruit 
will color well in storage and what the very 
ripe color is. Thus, at picking time the unripe 
color may be light pink ; when normally ripe, 
red; and after storage when dead ripe, dark 
red or almost black. In some vai'ieties there 
are russeted areas at one place or another on 
the surface, of greater or less size, which must 
be noted. Some cranberries are marked by 
lines which may be impressed or raised in 
slight ridges. The color of the stem-end may 
be lighter or darker than that of the calyx- 
end. The bloom is light on the fruit of some 
varieties of cranberries, and wanting on the 
fruits of others. 

In spite of the name, not all blueberries are 
blue. One of the species which furnishes a 
large part of the wild crop and which may 
become valuable under domestication, V. 
pcnnsylvaiiicum, bears fruit most often bluish- 
black but which may be black, light blue, or 
red. One of the huckleberries, G. baccata, 
bears in the type-species blue fruits, but there 
is a form with blue berries and another with 
white or pinkish-white, translucent berries. In 
all of the wild species of blueberries and 
huckleberries, the amount and character of 
the bloom vary greatly. From these consid- 
erations of wild species, it may be assumed 
that when Vaccimum and Gaylussacia are 



domesticated, a wide range in color of fruit 
may be expected. 

The stem offers means of identification in 
heath-fruits as in other stemmed fruits. Its 
length, and in cranberries the manner of in- 
sertion, whether in a depression or on a neck, 
are important means of identification. The 
color of the stem may vary and there may be 
specific and varietal peculiarities such as 
wartiness and pubescence. The calyx-end of 
the fruit is even more characteristic in species 
and varieties than the stem-end. The apex 
may be drawn out, flattened or depressed, and 
the size, shape, and position of the cab'x-lobes 
may be important means of identification. 

Perhaps in no fruits do the seeds and the 
seed-cavity count for more than in the heath- 
fruits. In cranberries the number of seeds in 
named varieties varies in individuals from 
seedlessness to fifty seeds, with the average 
varying from six to twenty-four. In huckle- 
berries there are corammonly ten seed-like 
nutlets, which are sufficiently large to be un- 
pleasant. In blueberries the seeds are small 
but numerous, the number and size of the 
seed materially affecting the palatability of 
the fruit. The size and shape of the seed- 
cavities in the different species and varieties, 
as determined by sectioning, are variable, and 
hence of use in distinguishing the value of 
the fruit as a food product. The thickness of 
the flesh between seed-cavity and surface 
might also be stated, in which connection the 
texture of the flesh ought to be designated, 
whether tender, tough, melting, or crackling. 

Heath-fruits are usually picked with scoops; 
in some cases are raked off the plants; or 
other mechanical devices for harvesting may 
be used. In these rapid methods of picking, 
much foreign matter is gathered with the fruit, 
making it necessary to run the crop through 
cleaning machines. The effectiveness of some 
of these separators depends upon the resiliency 
of the berries, sound fruits bouncing like little 
rubber balls, while the unsound fruits have 
lost their elasticity. It follows that a state- 
ment of the resiliency of the fruit, with the 
cranberry in mind m this particular, must be 
made in describing a variety; or, at least, 
the cleaning quality of the fruit should have 
notice. 

This brief discussion of the structure and 
form of heath-fruits prepares the way for a 
consideration of the species of cranberries, 
blueberries, and huckleberries now under cul- 
tivation or in process of domestication. Be- 
sides these, it should be said, there are a con- 
siderable number more that are proper sub- 
jects for domestication, toward the ameliora- 
tion of which practically nothing has been 
done. The cranberry, as the first of these 
fruits to be brought under the hand of man, 
and as by far the most important in commerce, 
merits attention first. 



CHAPTER XXII 



THE CRANBERRY AND ITS VARIETIES 



Cultivated cranberries belong to two species 
of Vaccinium. Both species are slender, trail- 
ing, evergreen bog-plants, bearing variously 
shaped light or dark-red berries in great pro- 
fusion. The name comes from the fancied re- 
semblance of the bud just before opening, with 
its slender curving pedicel, to the head and 
neck of a crane, whence craneberry, now short- 
ened to cranberry. The small cranberry, V. 
Orycoccus, is little cultivated, while the large 
cranberry, V. macrocarpon, is grown on thou- 
sands of acres in the United States and Can- 
ada, its culture furnishmg one of the most 
specialized and interesting of all pomological 
crops. 

1. Vaccinium macrocarpon^ Ait. Large Cranberry. 
American Cranberry. Stems slender and creeping, but 
comparatively stout, 1-4 feet long, tlie flowering 
branches ascending. Leaves oblong-elliptic, M(-% inch 
in length, Vg'^^ inch broad, blunt or rounded at the 
tip. flat or inclined to be revolute at the margin, ever- 
green, leathery, dark grctn and glossy above, whitened 
beneath, glabrous. Flowers pale rose-colored, nodding, 
1-10, borne on long filiform pedicels, liorne in early 
summer ; corolla 4-parted ; filaments scarcely % the 
length of the anther. Fruit maturing in the autumn ; 
^-1 inch in diameter; oblong, round, ovate or obovoid 
in shape ; light red to dark red ; and more or less 
astringent. 

The large cranberry is an inhabitant of open 
bogs, swamps, and damp heaths from New- 
foundland to Wisconsin and southward to 
West Virginia and Arkansas, being most com- 
monly found in the northeastern quarter of its 
range. In cultivation, its range is extended to 
the Pacific Coast, where Oregon and Wash- 
ington have a considerable number of culti- 
vated bogs. 

The early settlers in the New England and 
North Atlantic states were not slow in dis- 
covering that cranberries made an excellent 
sauce to accompany the fare of game upon 
which they chiefly subsisted, but cranberry- 
culture did not begin until the nineteenth 
century was well started, 1810 being the date 
given for the establishment of the first ar- 
tificial bog. The abundance of the wild crop 
obviated the necessity of domesticating the 
cranberry. Also, as there were no bog-plants 
under cultivation for fruit, methods of treat- 
ment had to be invented: the fruit-growing 
lore of centuries and even the tools for culti- 
vation were useless in beginning the cultiva- 
tion of the cranberry. The Cape Cod 
peninsula was the home of the pioneers in 
cranbeny-culture, and still holds first rank 
among the several cranberry districts of the 



continent. At first there were no named va- 
rieties of this fruit, but cranberries vary greatly 
in size, color, and shape, so that types soon 
came into existence, the earliest being the Bell, 
the Bugle, and the Cherry. Later, or to be 
specific, about 1890, named varieties began to 
appear, since which time a score or more, most 
of which are still under cultivation, have been 
introduced. 

The cranberry industry is now well estab- 
lished in several centers in North America, 
chief of which are, in order of importance, the 
Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, New Jer- 
sey, Wisconsin, Nova Scotia, western Oregon, 
and western Washington. The requirements 
for cranberry-culture seem to be: (1) Level 
land in a sandy region; (2) water to flood the 
bog; (3) drainage so that the water-table is 
a foot below the surface in the growing season ; 
(4) comparative freedom from frosts. The 
ideal soil is one of peat several inches in 
depth, under which is sand, in its turn super- 
imposed on a clay hardpan, which must be 
almost or quite impervious to water. The 
surface of the bog, in some regions, is mulched 
with three to five inches of sand. Neither soil 
nor water for flooding must be alkaline, and 
the soil must be acid. Bogs are usually located 
in situations where cranberries or other heath- 
plants thrive in the wild. The subjugation of 
wild bog-lands, the building of dams, canals, 
leveling the land, and sanding, make a 
cranberry-bog an expensive plantation to lay 
out and maintain. 

Since its inception a century ago, the cran- 
berry industry has steadily grown, the annual 
yield at the present time for the United 
States being estimated at 40,000,000 quarts. 
The crop is largely handled by cooperative 
associations of growers organized for improve- 
ing methods of cultivation, obtaining new 
varieties, and distributing the product to con- 
sumers. The several cranberry associations, 
in their turn, are organized into the American 
Cranberry Exchange, which markets the whole 
output of the associations. This statement of 
the method of handling the crop is necessary 
to lead up to an account of a peculiarity in 
the method of classifying cranberries. 

The American Cranberry Exchange in 1919 
handled varieties of cranberries, which were 
sold under eighty brands, the brands being 
established in accordance with variety, color, 
and size. Thus, Early Black, a leading variety, 
is sold under six brands in New England and 



BATCHELDER 



BENNETT JUMBO 



317 



three brands in New Jersey. Varietal names 
are as lasting and stable as those of other 
fruits, but the names of brands may change 
from season to season. 

2. Vaccinium Oxycoccus, Linn. Small Cranberry. 
Cranberry of the Old World. Stems very slender, almost 
hair-like, erect or ascending, more slender and shorter 
than those of 1'. macrocarpon. Leaves oblong or ovate, 
acute, % inch long, strongly revolute margins, leatiiery, 
evergreen, dark green and glossy above, conspicuously 
whitened beneath ; pedicels 1-4, terminal, the pale rose- 
colored flowers nodding ; corolla 4-parted ; filaments % 
as long as the anthers. Fruit maturing in late autumn ; 
smaller than in the last, Vi-^s inch in diameter; 
roundish and less variable tlian in the last ; red and 
acid but considered superior in flavor to the large 
cranberry of more common cultivation. 

The small cranberry is an inhabitant of 
temperate, subarctic, and alpine regions of 
North America, Europe, and Asia, and is 
usually found in sphagnum swamps The 
species is sparingly cultivated in the Old 
World, and the wild fruits are highly prized 
by northern peoples in both the Old and New 
World. No one seems to have given atten- 
tion to the hybridization of the large and the 
small cranberry, although the two would no 
doubt hybridize, possibly giving a better fla- 
vored fruit in the offspring than in either of 
the parents. 

3. Vaccinium Vitis-Idaa, Linn. Mountain Cran- 
berry. Cowberry. Foxberry. Low-bush Cranberry. 
This cranberry is much used in Europe and i[i some 
parts of Canada, especially Nova Scotia, where it is 
han^ested and shipped to the markets of New England. 
It is not cultivated although there appear to be no 
reasons why it could not be cultivated. The plants are 
shorter, dwarfer and less productive than those of the 
other two species. The fruits are smaller, scarcely 
larger than currants, darker red, more acid and more 
astringent, but edible and very good for culinary pur- 



The mountain cranberry is an inhabitant of 
colder regions than the other two species, and 
prefers drj' and rocky banks to wet lands. 
This species is suitable for dry-land cultiva- 
tion, the practice of which would obviate the 
necessity of making bogs, building dams, drain- 
ing, and flooding. 

VARIETIES OF CRANBERRIES* 

BATCHELDER. HoUiston. Mammoth. 
These three names are used for the same va- 
riety in different localities. The fruits are 
described as oblong in shape, extra large, fine 
in flavor, and as very desirable for the Oc- 
tober trade of eastern and central markets. 
The variety seems to be grown only in Massa- 
chusetts, and its origin is not given. 

BELL AND BUGLE. This so-called va- 
riety is a mixture of two types, as the name 
implies, which has been under cultivation in 
Wisconsin for the past thirty years. The Bell 
type in this mixture is much the same as in 
the better-known Bell and Cherry variety to 
be described next. The bell-like berry is a 

* The descriptions of varieties of cranberries have been 
compiled from notes furnished by H. G. Franklin, 
Massachusetts Agricultural E.xperiment Station, and 
O. G. Malde, Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station. 



longer fruit than that in the Bell and Cherry- 
group; the bugle-like berry is still further pro- 
longed with much less bulge than that in the 
bell type. The Bell and Bugle berries are a 
little larger than those of the Bell and Cherry. 
The berries are of a uniform bright red color, 
ready for shipment about October 10, and 
keep and ship well. The variety is listed by 
the American Cranberry Exchange under the 
Monogram and Pennant brands. Bell and 
Bugle is becoming unpopular in Wisconsin 
owing to its susceptibility to "false blossom," 
a condition in which fruits apparently set but 
fail to develop. 

BELL AND CHERRY. Natives (o/ Wis- 
consin). The standard cranberry in Wisconsin 
is a mixture of the bell and cherry types, 
giving the trade name of Bell and Cherry, 
though growers usually call the mixture "Na- 
tives." In acreage, this is the principal va- 
riety, if the mixture can be called a variety, 
grown in Wisconsin. It is the original cran- 
berrj' found on the marshes of central Wis- 
consin, and has been the commonest group 
under cultivation for the last thirty years. 
The American Cranberry Exchange separates 
the two types in marketing the fruit, selling 
the round shapes of uniform size under the 
Badger and Poppy brands, and the bell-shaped 
berries of larger size under the well-known 
Bouquet brand. 

Vines vigorous, productive, without the dense matting 
of McFarlin, whicli is a standard named variety of this 
type. Leaves averaging smaller than those of SlcFarlin. 
Fruit of the bell type, tapering at the stem-end and 
larger at the blossom-end which is flat ; fruit of the 
cherry type round with both stem- and blossom-ends 
flattened with slight indentations ; color of both types 
uniformly red without distinct markings; size iV-% 
inch in diameter ; usually ready for shipment soon after 
October 5. 

BELLE OF THE CAPE. The American 
Cranberry Exchange lists Belle of the Cape as 
a distinct variety, but some authorities believe 
it to be identical with Centreville, to which, 
at any rate, it is very similar. Its origin is 
not given. 

BENNETT JUMBO. Fig. 279. This 
variety is characterized by late, long-keeping 
cranberries, of the Jumbo type, 
which are olive-shaped and of 
large size. The plants are very 
vigorous, productive, and blos- 
som late, thereby escaping late 
spring frosts; the blossoming 
season is from June 20 to July 
15th. Bennett Jumbo is con- 
sidered one of the best late va- 
rieties in Wisconsin. This 
variety came from a small patch 
of cranberries found by A. C. 
Bennett, Grand Rapids, Wis- 
consin, about 1890. 

vines very vigorous and productive 
those of the" Bell and Cherry. Leaves larger and of the 
same dark olive-green color as those of Bell and Cherry. 
Flowers late. Fruit large, y'g of an inch in diameter, 
%-l inch long, olive-sliaped ; red-ribbed on green or 




318 



BERRY BERRY 



lieht eray, approaching white at maturity, but when 
very ripe bright red with ribs of darker red; ready for 
Bhipnient after October 20. 

BERRY BERRY. Berry Berry is listed 
by the American Cranberry Exchange under 
the Whitehouse Brand as a Cape Cod fancy 
cranberrj'. The fruits are described as round 
or oblate in shape; of large size; dark red in 
color; and as ready for shipment after Octo- 
ber 1 The crop is said to be very suitable for 
eastern markets. The quantity produced is 
limited. The origin of the variety does not 
appear. 

BLACK VEIL. This variety is distin- 
guished by its early fruits, the crop usually 
ripening not later than the first of September. 
It is of the tvpe of the well-known Early 
Black. While still on probation, Black Veil 
seems very promising in the Cape Cod region. 
The first growers were Frank Stanley and 
Joseph McFarlin, South Carver, Massachu- 
setts, who introduced the variety about 1890. 

Plants much like those of Early Black; foliage light 
green ■ average crop to the acre, 55 bbls. ; susceptible 
to the cranberry Iruit-worm. Fruit very early ; when 
full seeded round, oblong when few seeded ; pinkish 
white when partly ripe, red at maturity and almost 
black when very ripe; Hesh flmi ; quality for keeping, 
shipping and table, fair ; seed 8-13. 

BRADDOCK BELL. Braddock Bell is 
listed under the Ruby Brand by the American 
Cranberrv Exchange as a fancy cranberry 
grown in limited quantities in New Jersey. 
The fruits are described as bell-shaped, large, 
dark red, glossy, and as keeping well. It is 
spoken of as a good sort for distant shipments. 
The crop is ready for market after October 25. 

BUGLE. Black Diamond. This is one of 
the old varieties which was largely planted on 
Cape Cod some years ago, but is not being 
planted now because of unproductiveness and 
sensitiveness to frost. It seems never to have 
been grown extensively elsewhere. The va- 
riety first came to notice with Joseph Wing, 
East Sandwich, Massachusetts, about 1875. 

Vines rather coarse with many runners and only fairly 
well suited for scoop-picking; about half as productive 
as Early Black, average crop being 27 bbls. to the acre. 
Fruits late, usually not ripe before October 1 on Lape 
Cod; berries rather small, 90-120 to the half-pmt 
somewhat elongated with the ends strongly conical ; red, 
becoming dark red when very ripe ; flesh very firm ; not 
easily cleaned, excellent for keeping and shipping, fair 
in table quality; seeds rather numerous, 12-23. 

CENTENNIAL. Fig. 
280. All agree that the 
fruits of this variety are 
unsurpassed m appearance 
and in table qualities. Cen- 
tennial is not grown largely 
in Massachusetts; is hardly 
known in Wisconsin; but is 
highly prized and much 
grown in New Jersey. The 
variety originated with 
George Batchelder, Hollister, 
Massachusetts, about 1876. 




CHIPMAN 



Vines coarse, with many runners and poorly suited 
for scoop-picking ; foliage rather dark green ; about as 
productive as Early Black, averaging 55 bbls. to the 
acre. Fruit late, ripening about October 5, on Cape 
Cod ; large, 59-90 berries to the half-pint, uniform 
round ; uniformly red, becoming dark red when very 
ripe ; with four rather prominent ridges forming a 
rough cross ; tlesh rather thin but extra fine in table 
quality ; seeds 14-26. 



CENTREVILLE. Belle oj the Cape. 
Lcwi-f. Tins variety is described by all as 
producing fruit that is particularly handsome, 
of extra fine flavor, and as ver>' desirable for 
the fancy trade of eastern and central markets. 
Notwithstanding its fine fruit, Centreville is 
grown only in a limited way in Massachusetts 
and New Jersey, and scarcely at all in Wis- 
consin. Chipman and Matthews are very simi- 
lar in vine and fruit but hardy as desirable, 
all things considered. The variety originated 
with T. Fuller, Centreville, Massachusetts, 
about 1882. 



Vines coarse with many runners ; yielding about 55 
bbls. to the acre ; poorly suited for scoop-picking. 
Leaves dark green in the summer ; very similar to 
those of Howes. Fruit late, ripening in Massachusetts 
about October 5 ; berries very large, 60-90 to the half- 
pint cup ; elongated with both ends conical ; uniform 
in size and shape ; medium red, becoming dark red ; 
fruits coloring poorly in storage ; not easy to clean, 
and do not keep or ship well ; table quality superior ; 
seeds 9-13. 



CHAMPION. A small acreage of Cham- 
pion IS grown in New Jersey, the crop being 
sold as extra fancy by the American Cran- 
beny Exchange under the Globe brand. The 
berries are described as very large, oblong, 
bright red. The crop is ready for shipment 
after October 20, and is listed as very desirable 
for the fancy trade in eastern and central 
markets. 

CHIPMAN. Fig, 281. The fruits of Chip- 
man are described in the publication of the 
American Cranberry Exchange as of bugle 
shape, and as so similar to those of Centre- 




281. Chipman. (X%) 

villa that they are sold under the same brand 
as the crops come from New Jersey bogs. 
In Massachusetts, the crop is sold under an- 
other brand, but the fruits of the two varie- 
ties, as in New Jersey, are very similar. The 
berries are described as of extra fine flavor, 
and as ready for shipment after October 20. 
The quantity grown in both states is small, 



EARLY BLACK 



MATTHEWS 



319 




and the variety is comparatively unimportant. 
The origin of Chipman seems not to be 
known. 

EARLY BLACK. Fig. 282. The oldest of 
the named varieties, Early Black is still the 
standard early cranberry in Massachusetts and 
New Jersey, being little 
grown elsewhere. A greater 
acreage of this variety is 
grown in Massachusetts than 
of any other. Early in the 
season, the crop is sold as 
Early Black ; but the berries 
keep so well that cranberry 
dealers find it profitable to 
call it Late Red during the 
last of the season. The fruit 
is very suitable for long dis- 
tance shipment. The va- 
riety is rather susceptible to 
the fruit-worm. It seems to have originated 
about 1835 with Capt. Cyrus Cahoon, a Cape 
Cod cranberry-grower. 

Vines comparatively slender, producing upriglits ratlier 
tlian runners ; productive, averaging 55 bbls. to tlie 
acre. Leaves comparatively small, light green in the 
summer, reddish in the winter. Flowers white, but 
little marked with pink. Fruit very early. Black Veil 
alone ripening earlier ; berries small, 80-150 to the 
half-pint ; when full seeded the berries are round 
with the stem-end slightly conical, t)ut oblong when 
seeds are few ; pinkish white, then red and when very 
ripe almost black ; colors well in storage when picked 
green ; flesh firm, good for keeping, shipping and the 
table; easily cleaned; seeds 7-17. 

EARLY OHIO. This variety is of the bell 

type, and is verj" similar in plant and fruit 
to the better-known Prolific. The original 
plant was foimd in a wild bog by C. D. Leach, 
Walton, Michigan, some thirty or more years 
ago. The fruits are esteemed for earliness 
and for their mild, pleasant flavor, being pala- 
table in the raw state, which is true of very few 
other cranberries. The varietj' is grown only 
in Wisconsin and Michigan. 

EARLY RED. This variety is listed in the 
booklet of the American Cranberry Exchange 
as a sort with fruits "round in shape ; good 
size; ready for shipment after September 20". 
The quantity is said to be limited, antl the 
crop to be desirable for the eastern and cen- 
tral markets when classified under two grades, 
according to color. The variety is grown in 
both Massachusetts and New Jersey. The 
origin of the variety is not known. 

HOWARD BELL. Under the Olive 
brand, the crop of this variety is sold by the 
American Cranberry Exchange as a fancy prod- 
uct in eastern markets. Howard Bell is grown 
in New Jersey, the acreage being small. The 
crop is ready for the market after October 
25. and is very desirable for long distance 
shipments. The berries are described as large, 
bell-shaped, and excellent in flavor. 

HOWES. Fig. 283. Late Howe. Howes is 
the standard late cranberry in Massachusetts 



and New Jersey, attaining popularity chiefly 
because of the excellent keeping quality of the 
fruit. LTnfortunately, the variety is not always 
productive. The fruit is especially prized for 
long distance shipments. Pointed Howe seema 
to be a strain of Howes 
grown in New Jersey. The 
variety originated with 
James P. Howes. East Den- 
nis, Massachusetts, some 
time prior to 1880. 




vines rather coarse, with many 
uprights and comparatively few 
runners ; not as productive as 
Early Black, averaging 40 bbls. 
to the acre in Massachusetts ; 
rather susceptible to the rose- 
bloom and to the blackhead fire- 
worm. Leaves large, dark green 
in the summer, very dark red in 

the winter. Flowers white, much marked with pink. 
Fruit late, ripening in Massachusetts about October 5 ; 
berries a little under medium size, 80-140 to the lialf- 
pint cup ; round when well seeded, oblong when poorly 
seeded, symmetrical ; red and indistinotly striped, be- 
coming dark red ; colors exceptionally well in storage ; 
flesh very firm, excellent for keeping and shipping, fair 
for the table ; easily cleaned ; seeds 7-15 as an average. 

JERSEY. LTnder this name the wild cran- 
berry of New Jersey is offered by the Ameri- 
can Cranberry Exchange. It is said that more 
of these "natives" are grown in the cultivated 
bogs of the state than of any distinct named 
variety. The berries are variable in size, 
shape, and color. They are usually ready for 
market after October 15. The fruit is of 
long-keeping and good-shipping qualities and 
very desirable for di-stant shipment. A large 
percentage of the crop of this variety is shipped 
uncleaned, the product keeping better when 
packed and stored in this manner. 

McFARLIN. Fig. 284. 
McFarlin is one of the few 
cranberries grown in both 
the East and the West. It 
is rather more highly prized 
in Wisconsin and in the 
Pacific states than on the 
Atlantic seaboard, although 
at one time it was one of 
the three leading varieties in 
the eastern states. The va- 
riety originated with T. H. 
McFarlin, South Carver, 
Massachusetts, about 1874. 

Vines coarse with many runners, poorly suited for 
scoop-picking ; about as productive as Early Black, 
bearing 55 bbls. to the acre. Leaves medium green, 
rather large. Flowers distinctly marked witli pink. 
Fruit midseason, usually ripening about September 20 ; 
berries large, 65-95 in half-pint cup : round-oblong, 
flower-end conical ; lacking in uniformity, size and 
shape ; red becoming dark red when very ripe ; flesh 
tender, extra fine in flavor ; variable in keeping and 
shipping quality ; seeds 9-23.9 

MATTHEWS. This variety is so similar 
to the better-known and more desirable Centre- 
ville that it needs no separate description. 
The fruit is usually sold under the same brand 
in New Jersey as Centreville, the Swan brand 




320 



METALLIC BELL 



SEARLES JUMBO 



from this state including these two and Chip- 
man. The crop ripens a little earlier than 
that of Centreville; the berries do not average 
quite so large; the seeds are a little more nu- 
merous; and the variety is a little more sus- 
ceptible to the disease known as "rose-bloom." 
Matthews originated with Isaiah Matthews, 
Yarmouth, Massachusetts, about 1880. 

METALLIC BELL. This variety, grown 
only in Wisconsin, is listed by the American 
Cranberry Exchange as an extra fancy sort 
under the Beaver brand. The berries are 
described as bell-shaped, lightly colored, extra 
large, and as ready for shipment after Oc- 
tober 10. The quantity grown is limited, and 
the variety is falling into disfavor owing to 
"false bottom", a condition in which fruits 
apparently set but fail to develop. 

NATIVES (of New Jersey). Under this 
varietal name and under the Pioneer Brand, 
the American Cranberry Exchange offers fruit 
described as follows: "Irregular shape and 
size; medium to dark red color; ready for 
shipment after October 20th, and suitable 
for long distance shipment. Quantity very 
limited." 

PLUM. Fig. 285. The product of this 
variety is sold by the American Cranberry 
Exchange under the Plum brand as extra 
fancy. This cranberry is 
grown only in New Jersey, 
and is named Plum because 
of the size and shape of the 
berries. There has never 
been a large acreage of Plum 
planted, nor is it increasing. 
The crop is ready for market 
about October 15, and is 
especially desirable for the 
extra fancy trade in eastern 
markets. The berries are 
extra large, handsomely 
colored, and excellent in 
flavor. 

PRIDE. Fig. 286. Belle oj Carver. Vose's 
Belle. Pride is a new sort strongly recom- 
mended because of the great productiveness 



ductiveness. At present, Pride is grown only 
on a few bogs in Massachusetts. It originated 
with Benjamin F. Vose, Rochester, Massa- 
chusetts, about 1890. 





286. Pride (XD 

of the vines, which are said to be half again 
as productive as those of Early Black, a va- 
riety long regarded as the standard in pro- 




vines coarse with many runners, enlarged at the 
juncture of branches, the fruiting uprights producing 
one or more branchlets the season they fruit ; very 
productive, about 80 bbls. to the acre ; poorly adapted 
to scoop-picking ; susceptible to the cranberry fruit- 
worm. Leaves light green. Fruit midseason, ripening 
about September 15 in Massachusetts; berries of medium 
size, varying greatly ; bell-shaped, the calyx-end being 
rounded and the stem-end conical, variable ; white 
with pink blush when partly ripe, becoming solid red 
and then dark red when very ripe ; flesh fairly firm, 
keeping and shipping well and of a good flavor ; not 
easily cleaned ; seeds 7-15. 



PROLIFIC. Fig. 287. This variety is find- 
ing favor in the great cranberry region of 
central Wisconsin, and in the few Michigan 
districts where cranberries 
are grown. The berry is 
large, cherry-shaped, ripens 
early, and is of excellent 
flavor. Because of handsome 
appearance, early season and 
good flavor of berries, the 
American Cranberry Ex- 
change offers the crop under 
the Chief and Bessie brands 
as a fancy and an extra 
fancy fruit. The quantity 
grown is small. The variety 
originated with C. D. Leach, Walton, Michigan, 
in the late eighties of the last century. 

Vines vigorous, approximately the same as those of 
Bennett Jumbo, fairly productive. Flowering season 
early, usually from June 10 — July 4. Fruit %-% 
inches in diameter, sometimes larger, cherry-shaped ; 
color a uniform red becoming dark red ; finely flavored 
and less tart than later varieties ; one of the earliest 
berries grown in Wisconsin, being ready for shipment 
about October 1. 

SEARLES JUMBO. Fig. 288. This is a 
cranberr>' of the Jumbo type similar to the 
better-known Bennett Jumbo. The fruit is 
about the same size as that 
of the latter, possibly aver- 
aging a very little larger, is 
of the same shape, but in 
color is more uniformly red, 
not quite so dark red as that 
of the standard Bell and 
Cherry at the same stage of 
ripeness. The vine is more 
vigorous and slightly more 
productive than that of Ben- 
nett Jumbo. It is a medium 
season variety, the crop 
ripening just a little later 
than that of the Bell and 
Cherry of Wisconsin and the Early Black of 
Cape Cod. The crop is ready for shipment 
about October 15. Searles Jumbo was propa- 
gated by A. Searles, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, 
from a few vines found growmg among Bell 
and Cherry plants in central Wisconsin toward 
the close of last century. 




SMALLEY 



WALES HENRY 



321 




SMALLEY. Fig. 289. This 
variety seems to be described 
only by the American Cranberry 
Exchange. The fruits are round 
or bell-shaped; ready for ship- 
ment about October 15. The 
quantity grown is said to be 
small, and is sold under the 
Chipmunk brand, in which the 
berries are of medium red color 
and medium to large size; and 
the Pocahontas brand, the ber- 
ries of which are well colored 
and of average size. 



WALES HENRY. Fig. 290. This variety 
is described as a most promising cranberry, 
now grown on only a 'ew bogs in Massachu- 
setts. Productiveness of vines, and berries 
that may be easily cleaned, keep and ship 
exceptionally well, and of excellent flavor, are 
the qualities that recommend Wales Henry. 
The variety originated with W. A. Andrews, 
North Carver, Massachusetts, about 1885. 

Vines rather coarse, with many uprights and few 
runners ; very productive, bearing 60 bbls. to the acre ; 
well adapted to scoop-picking. Leaves dark green. 




Wales Henry (XI) 



Fruit midseason, usually ripe about September 20, medium 
in size, round ; uniform in size anil shape ; indistinctly 
striped with varying shades of red. coloring well in 
storage ; flesh firm, keeping and shipping well ; ex- 
cellent in flavor ; easily cleaned ; seeds 12-18. 



CHAPTER XXIII 
BLUEBERRIES AND HUCKLEBERRIES 



Several species of blueberries and huckle- 
berries are now under process of domestication, 
though all attempts in the past to bring these 
fruits under cultivation have failed. Failure 
seems to have been due to the fact that two 
peculiarities in the nutrition of these plants 
were not recognized. Heath-plants will not 
grow in soils with an alkaline or neutral reac- 
tion; nor without the companionship of a 
beneficial root-fungus. It has been known for 
many years that these plants will grow only 
in acid soils, but only recently was the dis- 
covery made that there is an association be- 
tween them and a root-fungus which is in- 
dispensable to their well-being. With an acid 
soil and proper conditions for the root-fungus, 
it is demonstrated that these fruits can be 
cultivated profitably. There is now little ques- 
tion that sometime there will be numerous 
varieties of cultivated blueberries and huckle- 
berries to enrich pine plains, mountain lands, 
swamps, heaths, and gardens that have proper 
soil conditions. Cultivated blueberries and 
huckleberries would add much to fruit-grow- 
ing, for these are among the best of small- 
fruits, and by far the most valuable wild 
fruits of this continent, the crop selling for 
several million dollars annually. 

BLUEBERRIES 

What blueberries offer possibilities for cul- 
tivation? Eight species of Vacciniums, the 
true blueberries, are worthy of consideration. 
All are distributed rather widely in the United 
States and Canada; all yield fruits valuable as 
esculents; and all give promise for domestica- 
tion. 

1. Vaccinium corymbosum, Linn. Fig. 291. High 
Blueberry. Swamp Blueberry. Plants tall, 4-12 feet 
high, with .yellowish green, warty branchlets. Leaves 
1^-3 inches long, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, smooth or 
slightly hairy beneath, the margins entire, half-grown at 
flowering time. Corolla white or pinkish, H-V^ inch 
long, ovoid to cylindric-um shaped. Fruit blue-black 
with bloom Va ■ ^k inch in diameter ; flavor sweet, rich, 
excellent. 

This species inhabits bogs and moist woods, 
and is sometimes found on heaths and in pas- 
tures from Maine to Minnesota and south- 
ward. This is an exceedingly variable form, 
which authorities variously divide into species 
and natural varieties, or, on the other hand, 
combine with one or two other species. It is 
probable that there are many natural hybrids 
between this and other species. 

The high blueberry is the species most desir- 
able for cultivation, so far as attempts to do- 



mesticate have yet gone. It is commonly 
thought that the high blueberry grows best in 
swampy situations, but it is often found on dry 
lands and in bogs and swamps, and the land 
must be dry in the root-forming period of sum- 
mer and autumn. In culture, this species does 
not thrive in land permanently water-logged; 
on the other hand, it requires moderate soil- 
moisture throughout the season. 

The fruit of the high blueberry ripens from 
August to late September, and is most variable 




291. High Blueberry (XVa) 

in shape, size, color, and flavor. The plants 
range from handsome shrubs ten to twelve feet 
high in boggy places to low bushes four or five 
feet high in heaths and pastures. This varia- 
bility in fruit and plant indicates that the 
high blueberry is one of the most plastic of 
organisms, and bodes well for its improve- 
ment under cultivation. The writer knows of 
a locality in which plants with large black 
berries, pleasantly piquant, may be found; 
near at hand are bushes with blue berries, rich 
and sweet, at least a half-inch in diameter; 
while another form has blue fruits with very 
heavy bloom and a delicate flavor so sweet as 
to be almost honeyed. These and other forms 
might easily by hybridized within the species, 
or with forms of other species, to the great 
improvement of blueberries. The fruits of the 
high blueberry are borne on the extremities 
of branches of the past season's growth. This 
species is a handsome ornamental. 

2. Vaccinium atrococcum, Heller. Black High Blue- 
berry. Downy Swamp Blueberry. This species is BO 
similar to the last that for the poraologist it scarcely 



322 



HIGH BLUEBERRY 



LOW BLUEBERRY 



323 



needs a description. It differs chiefly in the leaf, which 
is downy beneath ; in the flowers, which appear before 
the leaves expand, those of the last species appearing 
when the leaves are half grown, and which have a shorter, 
greener corolla with more red ; and in the fruits, which 
are glossy black without bloom, smaller than the last 
and of even better flavor. It has the same pomological 
possibilities as the preceding, with which it hybridizes 
freely. 

3. Vaceinium virgatum, Ait. High Blueberry. Swamp 
Blueberry. This is the high or swamp blueberry of the 
South, differing from V. corymbosum in but a few trivial 
characters. Thus the flowers of this species are pinker 
than those of the northern form ; are often borne on 
virgate or naked branches instead of leafy ones ; and 
appear before or with the leaves instead of when they are 
half grown. The berries are usually blacker, nearly or 
quite destitute of bloom, and not so well flavored. 

The species is found in swamp and pine- 
barrens from New Jersey to Florida. In the 
type species, the plants are from two to twelve 
feet high, but there is a botanical variety in 
the southwestern range of the species which 
is much lower, the plants mostly less than two 




292. Low Blueberry. (X%) 

feet in height. In this southwestern variety, 
the leaves are smaller, and the flowers are 
whiter and borne in shorter and closer clusters 
than those of the type. Presumably this 
species has the same potentialities for domes- 
tication as the northern high blueberry. 

4. Vaccinium pennsylvanieum , Lam. Fig. 292. Low 
Bluebeny. Sweet Blueberry. Early Blueberry. Plant 
dwarf. Vz'l feet in height ; stems and branchlets green 
and warty, glabrous or pubescent northward. Leaves 
oblong or lanceolate, serrulate with bristle-pointed teeth, 
bright green, smooth and glossy on both sides, sometimes 
hairy on the midrib beneath. Flowers borne on short 
pedicels ; corolla c.vlindric-bell-shaped, short, greenish- 
white. Fruit large, bluish-black, black, sometimes red, 
or rarely dull white, with or without bloom ; sweet and 
pleasant in flavor ; earliest to ripen. 

The low blueberry is found covering great 
areas in dry heaths, pine barrens, and moun- 
tain lands from Newfoundland to Saskatche- 
wan, and southward to Virginia and Illinois. 
The species is most variable, but only two 
natural varieties are described : var. aiigusti- 
jolium, Gray, is a dwarf northern or high- 
mountain form with narrower leaves ; and var. 
nigrum, Wood, called the low black blueberry, 
has firmer leaves, blue-green, glaucous, with 



very black, bloomless berries. This variety is 
often associated with the species, or may be 
found by itself. 

This dwarf species furnishes most of the 
blueberries found in the markets, but seems 
not to yield to cultivation so readily as the 
high blueberry. It is more of a wilding, pre- 
ferring rocky heaths, pine woods, shady places, 
and mountains, where often it thrives in soil 
an inch or two in depth. The berries, which 
ripen in July in central New York, a month 
earlier than those of the high blueberry, are 
the most pleasantly flavored of all the blue- 
berries, having a delicate sugary taste. They 
are, however, soft and easily bruised, and must 
be handled with care for distant shipment, but 
are well suited for canning and drying. Most 
of the crop canned in New England and 
Michigan is of this species; the industry of 
canning them is now an extensive one. The 
berries hang on the bushes until all are ripe, 
so that pickers can harvest them with great 
rapidity. The aborigines set the example to 
early settlers of sun-drj'ing and smoke-drying 
this blueberry for winter use, and the practice 
of drying in the sun still survives. This 
species may sometime be domesticated, in its 
many forms, for the very poorest soils or for 
shady places. 

5. Vaecinium cancidense, Ealm. Canadian Blueberry. 
Sour-top. Velvet-leaf. Plant a low shrub, 1-2 feet high, 
erect, much branched, with very pubescent branchlets. 
Leaves oblong-lanceolate, entire, dark green, %-lV^ inches 
long, downy on both sides. Flowers greenish white, some- 
times tinged with red. Fruit blue, rarely black, with 
heavy bloom, small or medium in size, late, rather acid. 

The Canadian blueberry is found on dry 
plains, swamps, and woods from Labrador to 
Manitoba, southward to Illinois, and in the 
mountains to Virginia. A form with white 
fruit is rarely found. This species is closely 
allied to the low blueberry, but bears smaller, 
later, and more acid fruits, and has broader 
and more downy leaves. 

Great productiveness and lateness in ripen- 
ing are the characters that commend this 
species most highly. In its southern range, 
the Canadian blueberry ripens from one to 
three weeks earlier than the low blueberry, 
but the difference grows less northward, until 
at its northern limits the two species mature 
at nearly the same time. The piquancy in 
flavor is liked by some, but generally the 
sweeter flavored berries are preferred. 

6. Vaccinium vacillans, Kalm. Late Low Blueberry. 
Plant low, ^-3 feet high, erect, glabrous, widely 
branched, the branchlets being yellowish-green. Leaves 
obovate or oval, 1-2 inches long, broad, entire or minutely 
serrulate, very pale or dull glaucous above and beneath. 
Flowers in dense clusters at the extremities of last year's 
growth ; calyx usually reddish ; corolla short, greenish- 
white or yellow, often tinged with red. Fruit large, 
blue, rarely white, with heavy bloom, late, sweet, borne 
abundantly. 

The late low blueberry is usually found in 
sandy or rocky places in northeastern United 
States from Maine to Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin. It is one of the commonest dry-land 
blueberries, being especially plentiful in the 
north central states. 



HUCKLEBERRIES 



HUCKLEBERRIES 



There seems to have been no attempt to 
cultivate this species, although its large, sweet 
berries, borne in great abundance, mark it as 
promising. The wild plants are easily told by 
the fruitmg habit. The berries are borne at 
the ends of last year's wood, which is two to 
four inches long and leafless, giving the plant 
a bare aspect. The fruit, so borne, can be 
stripped off by the handful, with no leaves 
and comparatively few fruits to bother. The 
fruit ripens in northern Michigan in August. 
The plant is quickly renewed when blueberry 
plains are burned over. 

HUCKLEBERRIES 

The huckleberry belongs to the genus Oay- 
lussacia, plants closely allied to Vaccinium, 
in which genus they were at one time included, 
and having much the same aspect. Generic 
differences for separating the two are found 
in the structure of the fruit and in the leaves. 
Species of Vaccinium are four- or five-celled, 
•with many small seeds, while those of Gaylus- 
sacia are ten-celled and contain ten rather 
large hard-w'alled seeds which are really nut- 
lets. The leaves of Gaylussacia are liberally 
besprinkled with resinous dots; those of Vac- 
cinium have no dots. Five species are found 
in North America, of which four yield fruits 
much esteemed as they come from wild plants, 
■which give promise of valuable domesticated 
fruits. 

The huckleberry is not so popular as the 
blueberry because of the hard seeds, which 
are objectionable in eating. There is, how- 
ever, great variation in the size and hardness 
of the seeds, and under cultivation forms could 
be selected with fewer, smaller, and softer 
seeds. Except for the seeds, huckleberries are 
as pleasantly flavored and as palatable as 
blueberries; and in spite of the seeds find 
ready sale in the markets. There are no data 
upon which to form an opinion as to whether 
huckleberries will yield readily to cultivation. 
Presumably, the difficulties of domestication 
will be no greater than with the blueberrj-. In 
the wild, huckleberries respond markedly to 
environment ; the fruits of the several species 
show great differences in size, color, and flavor 
in accordance with soil, moisture, light, and 
individual plants, indicating that the oppor- 
tunities will be great for improvement by cul- 
tivation and selection. Like the blueberries, 
huckleberries grow best in bog or heath and 
are impatient of lime. 

1. Gaylussacia baccata, Koch. Black Huckleberry. 
Dwarf shrubs, 2-3 feet in height, erect and rigid, much 
branched, slightly pubescent and resinous when young. 
Leaves oval, oblong-ovate or oblong, clammy with resin- 
ous globules when young, yellowisli green above, paler 
beneath, 1-1 14 inches long. Flowers in short, one-sided 
racemes, borne on short pedicels, nodding, reddish, with 
reddish bracts. Fruit black, a white form not uncom- 
mon, without bloom, sweet and pleasant. 

This species, probably the most common of 
the huckleberries, ranges from Newfoundland 
to Manitoba and southward to Kentucky and 
Georgia. It is an inhabitant of rocky or sandy 



heaths and woodlands, but is not uncommon 
in swamps. Two botanical varieties are de- 
scribed ; one with blue fruits which are larger, 
juicier, and covered with bloom; the other 
bearing a white huckleberry with translucent 
flesh. The white-fruited form is occasionally 
abundant and very fruitful. 

The fruit of the black huckleberry is firmer 
than that of other species, which makes it a 
better berry for the market; it is not, how- 
ever, so well-flavored as the dangleberry, to 
be described next. The pear-shaped huckle- 
berrj-, passing under the name "sugar plum," 
belongs to this species. As with the blue- 
berries, the plasticity of this species in the wild 
is certain indication that under cultivation 
superior varieties could be orginated by selec- 
tion and hybridization. 



2. Gaylussacia jrondosa, Torr. & Gray. Blue Huckle- 
berry. Dangleberry. Tangleberry. A slender shrub at- 
taining a height of 6 feet, with smooth spreading branches. 
Leaves obovate-oblong, blunt or einarginate, pale green 
above, paler beneath, 1-2 inches long and half as broad. 
Flowers in slender, loose racemes with rather long slender 
pedicels ; corolla globular, bell-shaped, greenish purple. 
Fruit dark blue with heavy bloom, sweet and pleasant. 

The blue huckleberry is found in low copses 
on moist, peaty soils from New Hampshire 
to Florida and westward to Ohio and Loui- 
siana. It is most common along the seaboard. 

The fruit of the blue huckleberry is con- 
sidered the best flavored of all the several 
species. The berries are sweet, but have a 
most agreeable piquancy which gives them, 
either fresh or cooked, a flavor unsurpassed 
by any other huckleberry or blueberry. In 
.some regions the bush is not prolific, so that 
it is difficult to get a large supply of the ber- 
ries, which are produced in sparse clusters that 
make picking difficult. The long, slender pedi- 
cels give the plant the name dangleberry. 
The blue huckleberry ripens later than the 
black huckleberry, from which it is easily dis- 
tinguished by plant and fruit. It is much 
more adaptable to diverse conditions in the 
wild than the preceding species, and can prob- 
ably be more easily domesticated. 

3. Gaylussacia ursina, Torr. & Gray. Bear Huckle- 
berry. Buckherry. This species is very similar to the 
preceding, differing in having some pubescence on the 
branches ; leaves green on both sides, thinner and longer ; 
flowers white or pinkisli ; and fruits black and shining ; 
and having a more restricted range, being found in woods 
from Kentucky to Georgia and North Carolina. 

The botanies speak of the berries of this 
species as insipid, but they are rnuch used by 
the mountaineers in the region in which the 
plants grow for culinary purposes, and are 
said to have a peculiar flavor unlike that of 
any other blueberry or huckleberry. In the 
amelioration of huckleberries for the garden, 
this species might prove valuable for hybrid- 
ization. Bears and deer feed on the ripened 
fruits, — hence the two common names. 

4. Gaylussacia dumosa. Torr. & Gray. Dwarf Huckle- 
berry. Dwarf shrub, 2 feet high, more or less hairy and 
glandular, from a Creeping stem. Leaves obovate-oblong, 
mucronate, green on both sides, shining above, thick and 
leathery with age, 1-2 inches long, half as broad. Flow- 



HUCKLEBERRIES 



HUCKLEBERRIES 



325 



ers in loose, slender racemes, white or pinkish, with leaf- 
like, persistent bracts ; ovary bristly and glandular ; 
corolla bell-shaped. Fruit black, usually more or less 
pubescent. 

The range of this species is from Newfound- 
land to Florida and Louisiana along the 
coastal plains. Its preference is for moist, 
sandy, or swampy soil. 

The dwarf huckleberry is the least prepos- 
sessing of the huckleberries described, but the 



statements in the botanies that the fruit is 
insipid are misleading; under some conditions 
it is pleasant and most agreeable. The dull 
color, the rusty-brown, glandular hairs and the 
tough skin are the chief objections to the fruit, 
but these are removed by cooking, after which 
the berries are as palatable as any. However, 
the species is the least desirable of all for 
domestication, but may have value for coastal 
soils and for hybridization. 



PART VII 
THE STRAWBERRY 



CHAPTER XXIV 



BOTANY OF THE STRAWBERRY 



A strawberry is the juicy, edible, spurious characteristic plants, and many varieties are 



fruit of any species of Fragaria, a genus be- 
longing to the order of Rosaces. The fruit, 
as an esculent, is spurious because the edible 
part is the receptacle which terminates the 
flower-stalk, the true fruits being the dry 
achcnes borne on the enlarged receptacle. 
This fruit-like receptacle, when ripe, is a solid, 
round, pulpy, cone-shaped structure, usually 
red, about the base of which is a flat rim to 
which were attached the floral and 
reproductive organs. Fig. 293 shows 
the strawberry flower and fruit. The 
flowers of the strawberry are in vary- 
ing degrees polygamo-dicecious, cross- 
pollination being usually brought 
about by insects. In many culti- 
vated varieties the flowers lack 
stamens, and fruits do not develop 
unless pollen is brought from another 
flower. 

The strawberry plant is a low, 
stemless perennial, propagated from 
stolons which spread over the sur- 
face of the ground. The white flow- 
ers are borne in cymes on more or 
less erect scapes. The radical leaves 
are made up of three leaflets which 
are obovate-wedge-forra and coarsely serrate. 
The fruits ripen in late spring or early sum- 
mer, with sometimes a second crop in the 
autiimn. With this simple outline of the 
botany of the strawberry in mind, we are ready 
to dis'cuss the character and growth-habits of 
the plant which are of importance to po- 
mologists. 

For descriptive purposes the strawberry- 
plant mav be divided into root, stolon, leaf, 
flower, and fruit. The strawberry-grower must 
know the gross structure of these organs, not 
only that he may identify species and vane- 
ties, but also that he may propagate, trans- 
plant, and otherwise care for the plants prop- 
erly. He must know the several species and 
something of their origin, history, and habits 
of growth, that he may understand their adap- 
tations to soils and climates, their relation 
to strawberry pests, and for what purposes 
they are best adapted. Although the plant 
is a complex organism, and the species are 
closely related, the pomologist has little diffi- 
culty in distinguishing the parts of the plant, 
and in separating the species with which he 
is concerned. 

CHARACTERS OF THE PLANT 

The four species of Fragaria with which 
strawberry-growers are concerned have very 



distinguished by the aspect of the plant. The 
character most in evidence in giving aspect 
is size. Is the plant tall or dwarf, compact 
or spreading? Size and vigor must be dis- 
tinguished; a large plant may lack vigor and 
a small one have it. Habit of growth goes 
far toward giving aspect to the plant. Thus, 
the radical leaves may stand upright or take 
a drooping position; the plants may be open 




293. Flower and fruit of strawberry. A— Section of 
strawberry flower; B — Section of strawberry fruit, 
o. Sepal; h, petal; c, stamen; d, carpel. 



or compact; some plants grow rapidly, others 
slowly. All of these are reliable characters 
in identification, when proper allowance is 
made for care and environment. They are of 
importance, also, in determining how far apart 
the plants should be set, the method to be 
adopted in laying out the plantation, and the 
care the plants are to receive. 

Species and varieties differ much in ability 
to make new plants. One of the marked char- 
acteristics of F. chilocnsis, characters of which 
are found in the lineage of most cultivated 
varieties, is its ability to reproduce rapidly. 
Not only are numbers of new plants to be 
noted, but account must be taken of the 
manner in which the plants are borne. 

The stolons or runners extend horizontally 
over the surface of the ground, bearing buds, 
which become fixed in the ground, and from 
which develop shoots and roots. The num- 
ber of plants depends on the number and 
vigor of the buds. Varieties to be planted 
in dry or hot regions must have roots which 
penetrate deeply into the soil. The number of 
plants a variety makes helps to determine the 
distance apart to set the plants; this number 
varies from one or two to forty or fifty. 

Runners vary much in the character of the 
internodes. Some runner cords are thick and 
stout or even fleshy, others long and slender 
and wiry. Runners with short internodes may 



329 



330 CONSTITUTION OF THE PLANT 



THE FLOWER 



strike three or four inches from the plant; 
with long intemodes, twelve or fourteen in- 
ches. The length to be desired depends on 
the method of training, whether in hill, matted- 
row, or hedge-row. 

The co7istituiion oj the plant. 

By constitution is meant vigor, hardiness, 
productiveness, and resistance to disease. The 
ideal strawberry must be vigorous, hardy, pro- 
ductive, and immune to diseases in the regions 
in which it is grown. The constitution of a 
plant can be determined only after observa- 
tions e.xtending over two or more seasons. 

Vigor is a relative term as commonly used, 
since it depends on character of soil, food- 
supply, rainfall, and temperature as well as 
on a character in the variety itself. Vigor, 
as the word is used here, is an inlierent char- 
acter of a variety and must not be confused 
with health; manifestly a variety inherently 
vigorous may make a weak growth when in 
ill-health. Vigor of top is often correlated 
with a large or deeply penetrating root-sys- 
tem. Strawberries are described as vigorous, 
of medium vigor, or weak. 

Hardiness must be considered in selecting 
varieties, and is sometimes helpful in deter- 
mining the identity of a strawberry. Under 
hardiness must be included ability to with- 
stand heat as well as cold; adaptability to 
dryness and wetness of air and soil may well 
be considered under hardiness also. Soil and 
care have much influence on the degree of 
hardiness. Varieties are described as hardy, 
halj-hardy, or tender. 

Productiveness is a distinctive character of 
strawberries, and is one of prime importance 
to the grower. Productiveness is influenced by 
every condition of environment; but, on the 
other hand, varieties under seemingly identical 
conditions produce widely varying amounts 
of fruit. The record yield east of the Rocky 
Mountains seems to be 16,000 quarts to the 
acre; in California, a record of 40,000 is re- 
ported. Yield is usually denoted by the terms 
very productive, productive, and unproductive. 

Varieties exhibit widely varying capacity to 
resist diseases and insects, some sorts being 
wholly immune to this or that pest, while 
others under the same condition are so sus- 
ceptible as to be worthless. Leaf-blight is the 
trouble from which growers most desire im- 
munity in a variety. It is difficult to make 
sure whether a variety is inherently immune 
or is so for a season because of conditions 
unfavorable to the pest, therefore observations 
must be made over several seasons. Few 
growers spray strawberries, hence the impor- 
tance of disease-resistance as an inherent char- 
acter in a variety. 

The foliage. 

The size, shape, color, texture, and mark- 
ings on the surfaces of leaves are quite dis- 
tinctive of species and varieties of strawber- 



ries. The leaf-stem in different varieties 
varies from long to short and from stout to 
slender. The leaves of some varieties are 
erect and those of others prostrate; the latter 
are not to be desired, since they are more 
likely to be infected by mildew, mold, and 
leaf-blight, and the flowers are not so well 
protected from frost. 

The size of the leaf is a good diagnostic 
character; large size usually denotes vigor. 
Thickness is also a good distinguishing mark. 
Thick leaves are desirable because they are 
not so badly torn by wind nor scorched by 
sun. The thin leaves of European straw- 
berries usually suffer in the scorching sun of 
the New World. Leaflets in different varieties 
vary greatly in shape and color, some being 
nearly round and others almost lanceolate; 
in color, the variations run from yellowish- 
green to very dark green. 

The flower. 

Very plain marks of distinction between 
varieties are found in the reproductive organs. 
The flowers may be perfect, semi-perfect, or 
imperfect. The flowers of most varieties are 
perfect, since it is troublesome to find poUen- 
izers for sorts with imperfect flowers. Some 
growers believe that varieties with imperfect 
flowers are more productive and less tender to 
cold. 

The time of flowering is important in classi- 
fication. Relative time varies but little in 
varieties, so that blooming season is a safe 
mark of distinction. This life-event is im- 
portant to the grower because early-blooming 
sorts may be caught by frosts in cold climates. 
Season of bloom is denominated as early, 
medium, or late. The difference between early 
and late may range from two or three days 
to three weeks. There is no correlation be- 
tween blooming-time and ripening-time. 

The stem of the flower offers several val- 
uable distinctive marks. Thus, it may be long 
or short; stout or slender; erect, semi-erect, 
or prostrate; single or branching. It is of ad- 
vantage that a variety have stout, erect fruit- 
stalks that hold the berries off the ground 
and that are not easily broken by pickers. 
On the other hand, it is not desirable that 
the flower-stalk rise above the foliage, where 
flower and fruit would be exposed to frost, 
beating rains, and scorching suns. 

There are marked variations in varieties in 
the size, color, and position of the calyx, but 
not much variability in this structure in ber- 
ries of any one variety. The calyx may be 
large or small; raised on the neck of the 
berry, attached to the flat base, or sunken 
into the fruit; may be leaf-like or bract-like; 
bright, dull, or dingy green; and may part 
from the fruit easily or with difficulty. It is 
desirable that the calyx be large, bright in 
color, and that it part readily from the fruit. 
Now and then a so-called shuckless variety is 
found in which the calyx remains on the plant 
when the berry is picked. 



THE FRUIT 



SPECIES OF STRAWBERRIES 331 



The fruit. 

The first character of the fruit to be noted 
is the season of ripening, the terms early, 
midseason, and late being used to denote time 
of maturity. Varieties usually follow the same 
order in ripening, but they may not do so, 
the exception being in seasons of extreme 
heat or cold. It is impossible to give the 
relative time of ripening for fall-bearing varie- 
ties, so great is the variability of these sorts. 
Environment and care greatly affect the time 
of maturity. Varieties ripening very early or 
very late are seldom heavy yielders. The 
length of the ripening season and the number 
of pickings vary greatly with difi'erent varie- 
ties. 

The size of berries is so variable as to be 
rather unreliable for purposes of identification; 
however, the fruits of some varieties run 
uniformly small and of others, large. For 
home and local markets, varieties having ber- 
ries of large size are most desired, while for 
distant shipments berries of medium size are 
best, since they do not bruise so badly in 
handling. Some sorts bear large fruits at the 
first picking, after which the berries run small — 
an undesirable character. 

Shape of fruit is a valuable distinguishing 
mark. The commonest shapes are conic, ob- 
long, oblate, round, and wedge-shape; usually 
it requires a combination of these terms to 
describe the character. Occasionally obovate 
berries are found. Varieties with fruits of 
cockscomb shape are rather common, and ber- 
ries of any of the shapes given may have 
a neck. Some berries are furrowed. Usually 
the fruits of a variety are markedly regular 
or irregular. 

The apex of the berry in different varieties 
may be pointed, obtuse, indented, green-tipped, 
hard, or soft. Round berries without a promi- 
nent tip are now most desirable. 

Seeds may be large or small, few or many, 
raised or sunken, brown or yellow. Seedy 
berries are unattractive; therefore the seeds 
in a good fruit should be few and small. 
Yellow seeds are more attractive than darker 
ones. The flesh is better protected when 
seeds are raised than when sunken; therefore 
berries with raised seeds carry to market 
better. 

The color of strawberries varies from white 
to red and from red to dark maroon. Nearly 
all varieties now under cultivation may be 
described as light red, viedium red and dark 
red, to which terms the prefix dull or glossy 
will often have to be applied. The color 
may be marbled or uniform. Dark red varie- 
ties are now preferred. White varieties are 
usually blushed with pink. Dark-colored ber- 
ries show braises less than light-colored ones. 
A white tip is a defect. 

The color of the flesh is almost as much 
a standard means of identification as the 
color of the surface. The flesh is usually de- 
scribed as the same as the surface, lighter 
than the surface, or darker than the surface. 



The flesh is whiter toward the center in some 
varieties. Dark red flesh is most to be desired, 
while white is the most objectionable color. 
The red color of the flesh must persist in 
canned strawberries to obtain a well-finished 
product. 

Texture and juiciness of pulp are so variable 
as to have little value for descriptive pur- 
poses, but are important characters to the 
grower. For shippmg or for canning, the 
berries must be firm. The flesh may be dry 
or juicy, coarse, fine-grained, or stringy, and 
the core may be hollow, hard, or soft. Hard, 
stringy cores are objectionable. "Fig straw- 
berries" are those so sweet and dry that they 
may be sun-dried, and so make a "fig-like pro- 
duct. 

The flavors are sweet, neutral or flat, sub- 
acid, tart, and sour. These flavors may be 
qualified by such terms as rich, highly flav- 
ored, sprightly and mild. All strawberries are 
more or less aromatic. Subacid sorts are in 
greatest demand. Climate greatly modifies 
flavor as does soil, although to a much smaller 
degree. 

Quality in a strawberry is that combination 
of color, flavor, aroma, and texture which 
pleases the several senses. Quahty is de- 
scribed as best, very good, jair, poor and very 
poor. For the reason that quality is variable, 
and because tastes vary, quality is of little 
importance in identifying varieties, but mani- 
festly is a character the grower must always 
consider. Upon quality largely depends the 
classification as to use of a variety, whether 
for dessert or culinary purposes. 

The description blank for the strawberry on 
the next page sets forth most of the characters 
students and fruit-growers will use in describ- 
ing strawberries. 



SPECIES OP STRAWBERKIEa 

The genus Fragaria is widely distributed, 
no continent or large body of land being with- 
out an indigenous species. While Fragaria 
grows most abundantly in temperate climates, 
yet forms are found in the tropics, and, if 
not in arctic regions, at least to their very 
borders. Thus widely diffused, the species 
are exceedingly variable, and no fewer than 
150 names have been applied to the different 
forms. Fortunately for nomenclature, horti- 
culturists can agree that cultivated forms came 
from four species-types. 

1. Fragaria virginiana, Duchesne. Scarlet Straw- 
beri7. Virginian Strawberrj-. Plant small, slender, 
erect, with slender, wiry, rather deeply-set roots ; run- 
ners numerous, long, appearing witli and after the 
blossoms. Leaves radical ; leaflets rather large, thin 
but leathery, light green, tomentose when young, 
glabrous at maturity, three, obovate-wedge-form, 
coarsely serrate. Flowers and flower-clusters small ; 
borne in a few-flowered cj-me at the top of a rather 
long, slender, weak, slightly villous scape ; calyx of 
medium size or rather small. Fruits early, small ; 
globular or oblong-conical, usually markedly necked ; 
color light scarlet, sometimes white; Hesh usually pink, 
sprightly acidulous, aromatic ; seeds yellow, sunken 
deeply in angular pits. 



DESCRIPTION BLANK FOR THE STRAWBERRY 



Name Plat. 



Characteristics 

Numerous, medium, few 

Vigorous, medium, weak 

Tall, medium, dwarf 

Very productive, productive 

Medium productive, unproductive 

Spring-bearing, everbearing 

SUSCEPTIBILITY to 

Insects 

Diseases 



RUNNERS thick, medium, slender 
with long, medium, short internodes. 



Large, medium, small 
Light, medium, dark green 
Rugose, smooth 
Glossy, dull 

PETIOLE thick, medium, slender 



DATE OF RIPENING 
LENGTH OF SEASON 



PICKING QUALITY . 
SHIPPING QUALITY 



Large, medium, small 
Retains size, drops in size 

Uniform variable. 

Regular, irregular, furrowed 
Oval, conic, roundish 
Oblong, oblate, wedge 
Cockscomb, necked 



Pointed, obtuse, indented 

Green-tipped 

Hard-undeveloped 

SURFACE COLOR 

Light, medium, dark red 
Dull, glossy 
Unattractive, attractive 
Colors evenly or unevenly 



Perfect, semi-perfect, imperfect 

Date of bloom 

Early, medium, late 

Length of blooming season 

Size : diameter 

Large, mediimi. small 

Petals 

Number 

Large, medium, small 

Stamens 
Numerous, medium, few, none 

Receptacle 
Large, medium, small 

Fruit- stems 

Long, medium, short 
Thick, medium, slender 
Erect, semi-erect, prostrate 

Pedicels 

Long, medium, short 
Thick, medium, slender 



FRUIT 

Characteristics 



Large, medium, small 
Raised, flat, depressed 
Reflexed, leafy 

Color 

Adherence to fruit 



Light, medium, dark red 
Whitish toward center 
Juicy, medium, not juicy 
Stringy, firm, medium, tender 
Sweet, subacid, sour 
Sprightly, high-flavored, aromatic 



Best, very good, good 
Fair, poor, very poor 



SEASON 

Early, midseason, late 



DESIRABILITY 



REMARKS . 



SPECIES OF STRAWBERRIES 



SPECIES OF STRAWBERRIES 333 



Probably no other fruit grows wild under 
such varied conditions and over such an ex- 
tended area in North America as this wild 
strawberry. It is found in every state in 
the United States, in the mountains of Mex- 
ico, and far north into Canada. Naturally 
plastic, when spread over this vast territory 
the species runs into many forms, several of 
which have received specific names from one 
or another botanist. Among these, var. 
illhiocnsis, Gray, a larger, more robust plant 
with scapes and pedicels more hairy, and larger 
berries, is the only one which has noteworthy 
pomologieal characters different from those of 
the species. 

This species has been more or less culti- 
vated almost from the settlement of North 
America. It was mentioned by Parkinson 
as under cultivation in England in 1629, though 
it was little improved either at home or in 
Europe until early in the nineteenth century. 
About 1820, several improved varieties made 
their appearance, such as Early Hudson, Hud- 
son's Bay, Methven Scarlet. Large Early 
Scarlet, and Crimson Cone. These and other 
varieties of this species held the markets until 
the middle of the century, when improved 
hybrid sorts began to take their places. It 
is probable that no pure-bred variety of this 
species is now under cultivation. 

2. Fragaria rhiloenxis, Duchesne. Common Garden 
Strawberry. Pine Strawberry. Plant large, low, stocky, 
with rather thick, fleshy, shallow roots ; runners mod- 
erate in number, short, stout, appearing after the fruit 
has matured. Leaves radical ; leaflets three, large, 
obovate-wedgc-form ; round-toothed ; thick, leathery, 
smooth and glossy above, tomentose below ; strongly 
reticulate. Flowers white ; borne in loose cymes on 
more or less erect, silky scapes ; calyx very large, often 
leafy. Berry large, globular or conic, firm ; dark-red ; 
more or less hairy ; sometimes slightly necked ; flesh 
white, with a hollow core ; flavor mild, musky ; seeds 
brown, raised or in shallow pits. 

This is the common wild strawberry from 
Alaska to California in North America, and 
from Peru to Patagonia in South America. 
As would be expected from its great range 
in latitude, there are many marked variations. 
The North American form has as yet given no 
valuable varieties, although it has been used 
in breeding work by several workers, but the 
South American form is represented in the 
lineage of nearly all varieties now cultivated 
in America. To the Chilean strawberiy, in 
particular, we are indebted for the large size 
of modern strawberries. The Pine, most 
notable in the early history of the large-fruited 
strawberries we now grow, called by many 
botanists var. ananassa of F. chilocnsis, is prob- 
ably a cross between this species and F. vir- 
giniana. 

This strawberry was introduced into France 
in 1712 by Frezier, a French officer, who 
found it in Chile, both wild and cultivated. 
In 1727, it was introduced into England, but 
seems not to have found general favor. The 
Pine strawberry, the name referring to the 
pineapple fragrance, now considered the pro- 
genitor of our cultivated varieties, made its 
appearance in Europe about the middle of 



the eighteenth century, but its origin must 
ever remain a mysterj'; as has been said, 
it is now generally agreed that it is a hybrid. 
One of the first of the large-fruited straw- 
berries was Keene's Seedling, of the Pine 
strain, originated by an Englishman in 1819. 
Soon after, this and similar large-fruited varie- 
ties were introduced in America, and the cul- 
ture of this group of strawberries was begun 
in the New World. Prince says that the 
Large Scarlet Chile wa^s imported to this 
country from South America at about the 
same time, 1820. 

3. Fragaria vesra, Linn. Alpine Strawberry. Per- 
petual .Strawberry. Wood Strawberry. Plant rather 
tall, erect ; runners long, slender, rather numerous. 
Leaves radical ; leaflets thin and light green as com- 
pared with the foregoing species ; silky when young, 
glabrous at maturity ; margins serrate, the teeth very 
sharp. Flowers small, borne irregularly in loose 
racemes on weak, erect scapes longer than the leaf- 
stalks ; calyx small and recurved. Berries small, firm, 
round, or round-conic, sometimes pointed ; flesh white, 
rich and delicate, aromatic ; seeds small, many, promi- 
nent, raised. 

This is the wild strawberry of the Old 
World, which apparently passes without sharp 
demarcation into var. amcricana, Porter, of 
the New World. The American form is more 
slender, with thinner leaves, with more ovoid 
or conical fruits, which are usually more dis- 
tinctly necked; its petioles and scapes are 
sparingly hairy rather than hairy-pubescent. 
The true F. vesca is found as an escape from 
the garden in eastern United States. The 
species is found in all parts of the nort,h tem- 
perate zone in the Old World, while the New 
World form is found from Newfoundland to 
North Carolina and westward to the Great 
Plains. There are no valuable varieties of 
the American form under cultivation, but the 
type species is the strawberry of the ancients 
in the Eastern Hemisphere. 

This is the strawberry mentioned by ancient 
writers as a wild plant, but, while possibly 
cultivated in the medieval period, seems not 
to have been considere . a garden plant until 
the sixteenth century, when it began to appear 
in all European books on cultivated plants. 
Until the advent of F. chiloen^is and F. vir- 
giana to garden-culture in the eighteenth cen- 
tury, this was the chief if not the only culti- 
vated strawberry in Europe. No variety of 
this species has ever attained prominence in 
America, although the type was introduced in 
the colonies as early as 1750. 

4. Fragaria elatior, Ehrh. Hautbois Strawberry. 
This species of Europe differs from F. vesca in its 
taller and more pubescent plant.s which bear flowers 
that are usually diflecious. The berries differ in being 
rounder, larger, a paler red. with the calyx more 
strongly reflexed from tiie fruit, and in having a dis- 
tinctive strong musky flavor ; tliey are, also, l)CTrne on 
longer, stouter stems which elevate them above the 
foliage. 

The habitat of the Hautbois is central Eu- 
rope, where it is a common inhabitant of the 
woods, although sometimes found in open 
fields. It does not grow wild in North America 
as a native, but is occasionally reported as an 
escape from cultivation. In spite of the fact 



334 EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES 



EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES 



that it was early cultivated in Europe, it is 
now of small importance as a cultivated plant, 
chiefly because of its unproductiveness and 
its dioecious flower. The species is unimportant 
in American strawberry-culture. 

EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES 

Under some conditions of temperature and 
moisture, nearly all varieties of strawberries 
bear fruit from early summer to late autumn. 
Thus, in the Gulf states and on the Pacific 
slope, the season of most varieties may be 
made to extend over several months. This 
tendency is much more marked in certain 
varieties, and in some of these the season is 
extended, or at least a fall crop is produced 
in the North and East. The.se everbearers 
of the East, having the everbearing character 
fixed, constitute a distinct strain. They are 
descendants of Pan American, which originated 



in 1898 with Samuel Cooper, Delevan, New 
York. Whether Pan American originated as 
a bud-sport or from a seed is in doubt. There 
are now a score or more so-called everbearers 
of more or less value. 

The Alpine strawberry, F. vesca, of Europe, 
often gives everbearing varieties which are 
cultivated in Europe, but these are so unpro- 
ductive, and the berries run so small that 
they find little favor in America. With these 
Alpine varieties, as with varieties of common 
cultivation, much depends on climate as to 
whether the season may be extended or a 
double crop harvested. 

Of the many everbearing strawberries in- 
troduced in this country, only the following 
are considered sufficiently well established to 
warrant description in this text: Americus, 
Pan American, Peerless, Progressive, and 
Superb. 



CHAPTER XXV 
VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES 



The strawberry has teen under cultivation 
in America but a short time, the commercial 
industrj' having begun with the introduction 
of the Wilson in 1854, but progress in im- 
proving varieties has been so rapid that the 
number of sorts introduced in America ex- 
ceeds 2000. Comparatively few of these are 
now under cultivation, for the list of varieties 
changes every ten or fifteen years. In 1920, 
nearly 300 varieties were listed for the United 
States and Canada. In every part of the 
continent in which diversified agriculture is 
practiced, strawberries are grown; no other 
fruit is more widely distributed. The growing 
of strawberries is a great commercial industry 
of the country, and each region in which fruit- 
growers specialize in this fruit has a list of 
varieties suited to its needs. In this chapter, 
a special effort is made to give the adaptations 
of varieties to these regions of commercial 
cultivation. The strawberry is the most pop- 
ular fruit for home fruit-gardens, and to fulfill 
its potentialities for the garden the grower can 
choose a great assortment of the kinds de- 
scribed. 

ABINGTON. The variety is worthy of 
trial for its productive vines and handsome 
fruits, which retain their size well through- 
out the season. The foliage is reported to be 
susceptible to leaf-spot. It was introduced 
by L. Blanchard, Abington, Massachusetts, in 
1905. It is much grown about Boston. 

Perfect. Plants many, vigorous, very productive ; 
leaf large, dark green ; leaf-stems long ; fniit-stems 
long, tiiick. usually double, erect ; blooms medium 
early ; calyx of medium size, flat or often on a short 
neck, sometimes slightly discolored. Fruit large, mid- 
Eeason, easily picked ; wedge to round-conic or some- 
times slightly elongated, attractive light scarlet ; flesh 
light colored, firm, mildly acid, fair to good in quality ; 
seeds sunken. 

AMANDA. Amanda is recommended for 
trial, both for home and commercial purposes. 
The plants are vigorous and productive, and 
produce runners in great numbers, but are 
somewhat susceptible to leaf-spot under un- 
favorable conditions. The blossoms are per- 
fect and open in midseason or later. The ber- 
ries ripen in midseason; are large, and hold 
up remarkably well throughout the ripening 
season ; in color, they vary from light to dark 
scarlet, depending on the stage of maturity, 
and are always glossy and attractive; in shape, 
the berries are blunt-wedge, although round- 
conic forms may be found among them. The 
flesh is firm enough to stand distant ship- 
ments, and its color is good to the very center. 
There is enough acidity of flavor to give 
eprightliness, which, combined with other 



characters, makes the variety rank high in 
quality. This variety was originated by Z. T. 
Mumma, Blufftown, Ohio, in 1904. 



Perfect. Plants ve . 
susceptible to leaf-spot, very productive ; leaves of 
average size and color ; leaf-stalks long, thick, branched, 
erect ; calyx of medium size, sometimes somewhat dis- 
colored, sunken or flattened. Fruit midseason ; large, 
retains its size well to the close of the ripening period, 
wedge-shaped to roundish-conic, glossy, light to dark 
scarlet ; flesh well colored to ttie center, very firm, 
pleasantly acid, agreeably flavored ; good in quality ; 
seeds strongly depressed. 

AMERICUS. This is a rather remarkable 
everbearing strawberry in that the runner 
plants often begin to bear as soon as they 
start root. The plants yield a fair crop in 
June, and, if conditions are favorable, continue 
to bear until November. The quality of the 
berries is excellent. The varietj' is liked for 
hill culture in home-gardens. It originated 
in 1905 with Harlow Rockhill of Iowa and 
was introduced in 1912. 

Perfect. Plants hardy, vigorous, deep-rooted ; leaves 
rather few, exposing the berries somewhat ; fruit-stems 
long ; runners rather few. Fruits medium to large, 
firm, light red often with a green tip ; flesh light 
red, mild subacid, large, aromatic ; quality the best 
of any everbearer. 

ARIZONA. Arizona Everbearing. Mex- 
ican Everbearing . Arizona is a comparatively 
old sort which was long the leading variety 
in the Pacific Southwest, where resistance to 
heat and drought is important. It is still 
grown to some extent in Arizona and south- 
ern California. The variety was introduced 
about 1890. Improved Arizona is identical 
with Arizona. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, make but few 
runners. Fruits midseason, of medium size, globose- 
conic ; light red in color with light red, soft flesh ; 
mild subacid ; quality good. 

AROMA. Cycloma. A commercial variety 
in the Middle West from Missouri and Ken- 
tucky to Wisconsin and Michigan, Aroma is 
also grown in Ohio, in West Virginia, and as 
far east as Delaware. The plants are resistant 
to disease, very productive; and are adapted 
to a variety of soils, although they prefer 
clay and silt loams. The beiTies keep and 
ship well, are attractive in appearance and 
of high dessert quality. Aroma originated with 
E. W. Cruse, Leavenworth, Kansas, about 
1SS9. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy ; make runners 
freely ; calyx medium, adherent. Fruit midseason to 
late, large, globose-conic or short wedge-shaped, firm ; 
bright crimson with light red flesh ; mild subacid, 
core white, solid ; quality good ; seeda prominent. 



335 



336 



BEDER WOOD 



CHESAPEAKE 



BEDER WOOD. This is an old variety 
once much grown in the Middle West and 
as far east as western New York. It is now 
being discarded because the fruits are small, 
not very firm, and rather poor in quality. It 
does best on heavy soils. The variety origi- 
nated with a Mr. Beder Wood, Moline, Illinois, 
in 1881. 

Perfect. Plants of medium size and vigor, very 
productive but somewhat subject to leaf-blight ; run- 
ners numerous ; leaves small -, blooms very early ; 
fruit-stems medium length. Fruit early midseason, of 
medium size or small, globose or globose-conic, rather 
soft : crimson on the surface with lighter colored flesh ; 
brisk subacid: quality fair; seeds sunken. 

BRANDYWINE. At one time much 
grown in the East, Brandywine is now dis- 
carded because the plants are very susceptible 
to leaf diseases; it is still one of the leading 
varieties about Los Angeles, California, where 
the berries are produced from early spring to 
late autumn. The variety originated with 
E. C. Ingram, West Chester, Permsylvania, 
about 1889. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, productive, susceptible to 
leaf-spot ; runners very abundant ; fruit-stems long, 
erect ; calyx large and unattractive. Fruit late, large, 
broadly globose-conic, firm ; color deep crimson with 
dark flesh ; core hollow ; brisk subacid ; quality good 
to very good ; seeds numerous, yellow, conspicuous. 



form in shape, and ship particularly well. 
Campbell was introduced by W. B. Kille, 
Swedesboro, New Jersey, in 1916. 




294. Bubach. (X%) 

BUBACH. Fig. 294. Western Union. Bu- 
bach was a standard sort a quarter of a cen- 
tury ago but is now being discarded because 
the plants are not good plant-makers, and 
the berries are soft and irregular in shape; 
the plants are very productive, however, and 
the berries are large, handsome, and of very 
good quality. Bubach originated with L. G. 
Bubach, Princeton, Illinois, about 1882. 

Imperfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, productive, do 
not make sufficient runners : fruit-stalks short, weak. 
Fruit midseason, large, round wedge-shaped, ribbed, 
irregular ; glossy brigiit crimson on the surface with 
red flesh ; flesh rather soft ; mild subacid : quality good 
to very good ; seeds large, even with the surface. 

CAMPBELL. Fig. 295. Campbell's Early. 
Prized for its great productiveness, Campbell, 
a comparatively new sort, is being largely 
grown in New Jersey. The fruits are large, 
inviting in appearance and taste, very uni- 




295. Campbell. (X%) 

Perfect. Plants very vigorous, healthy, making many 
runners. Fruit early, medium to large, retains size 
throughout season ; globose to globose-conic ; rich crim- 
son color ; flesh firm ; subacid ; quality very good ; seeds 
large, yellow. 

CHESAPEAKE. Fig. 296. Chesapeake is 
one of the most promising of the new straw- 
berries. It has several distinctive characters, 
chief of which are vigor and healthfulness 
of plants, and beauty and attractiveness of 
fruit. The plants do not multiply so rapidly 
as those of most varieties, and therefore 
should be set somewhat thickly. There is but 
little danger of frost with this variety, as the 
plants bloom late, a valuable consideration in 
some localities. The large, leafy calyx is well- 
colored, and adds to the attractiveness of the 




296. Chesapeake. (X%) 

fruit. The surface of the berries is char- 
acteristic of the variety, being unbroken by 
furrows or irregularities and unusually plump 
and glossy. The dark red flesh is aromatic, 
mildly acid, and very good to best in quality. 
This variety originated with J. W. Parks, 
Nanticoke, Maryland, about 1904. 

Perfect. Planta few, vigorous, usually healthy but 
with a tendency to mildew, productive ; leaves above 



CHIPMAN 



DR. BURRILL 



medium in size, wide, thick, usually branched, serai- 
erect ; season of bloom late ; calyx large, leafy, attractive 
green, slightly depressed. Fruit midseason or later, 
easily picked, ships well ; berries large, dropping in 
size as the season advances, round-conic to wedge- 
ehaped, the surface plump, unbroken by furrows or by 
irregularities, with conical apex which becomes seedy 
in appearance in the smallest berries, beautiful glossy 
Bcarlet ; flesh very firm, variable in color, mildly acid, 
juicy, pleasant flavor ; very good to best in quality ; 
seeds conspicuous, often markedly raised. 



CHIPMAN. This new variety is now the 
leading strawberry in the Virginian part of 
the Chesapeake Peninsula. Earliness and pro- 
ductiveness are the two characters that make 
it vahiable. It was introduced in 1907 by 
W." S. Todd, Greenwood, Delaware. 



Perfect. Plants very numerous, vigorous, healthy, 
productive ; leaves of fair size, dark green ; leaf-stems 
medium to long, slender ; fruit-stems long, thick, often 
branched, prostrate ; blooms early ; calyx large, some- 
times leafy, light green, flat. Fruit large, early, wedge- 
or round-conic, sometimes elongated, surface 
r, light and dark scarlet, becoming duller as 
?on advances ; flesh light in color, medium in 
and juiciness, mild acid, pleasant but not 
high flavor ; fair to good ; seeds sunken. 

CLARK. Fig. 297. Clark's Early. Early 
Idaho. Hood River. Clark is a standard va- 
riety in the Pacific Northwest, being grown 
almost exclusively in the Hood River and 
White Salmon regions of Oregon and Wash- 




297. Clark. (X%) 



ington. It has little or no value in other 
regions. The plants require much moisture, 
and except under irrigation are seldom pro- 
ductive. The berries have the reputation of 
standing shipment better than those of any 
other variety, and are liked by canners be- 
cause of their firm, red flesh. The variety 
originated in Portland, Oregon, with F. E. 
Clark, about 1880. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, erect, make run- 
ners freely ; leaf- and fruit-stems short. Fruit mid- 
season, of medium size, globose or globose-conic, very 
firm ; color dark crimson with dark red flesh ; brisk 
subacid or acid ; core solid ; quality good ; seeds bright 
yellow, raised. 

COLUMBIA. Strawberry-growers are find- 
ing that Columbia is a valuable variety in 
regions to which the better-known Chesapeake 
is adapted. The fruit is handsome and of 
best quality, and the foliage shows few faults. 
Home gardeners esteem the variety more 
highly than commercial growers. It originated 
with J. B. Wild & Brothers, Sarcoxie, Missouri, 
about 1900. 



Imperfect. Plants very numerous, vigorous, healthy, 
productive ; leaves unusually large, dark green ; leaf- 
stems long, very thick ; fruit-stems long, thick, often 
single, erect ; blooms late ; calyx large, often leafy, 
usually sunken. Fruit large, late, wedge-shaped or 
round-conic, glossy, light scarlet ; flesh well colored, 
firm, agreeably acid, pleasant flavor ; good to very good 
in quality ; retains size well as the season advances ; 
seeds raised. 

CRESCENT. Fig. 298. Long one of the 
standard strawberries, Crescent is still to be 
found in the eastern states in gardens and 




298. Crescent. (X%) 

now and then in a commercial plantation. 
Its great merits are productiveness, even on 
poor land and under neglect, and strong, vig- 
orous plants which make many runners. The 
plants rust badly, however, and the berries 
are deficient in color, firmness, and quality. 
The variety originated in 1870 with William 
Parmalee, New Haven, Connecticut. 



Imperfect. Plants tall, vigorous, productive: 
very numerous ; fruit-stalks erect, branching. Fruit 
early midseason, of medium size, round-conic usually 
with a depression in the apex, bright scarlet ; calyx 
recurved, easily detached ; flesh light red, medium in 
firmness ; core solid pink ; flavor subacid, mild, aromatic ; 
quality fair ; seeds numerous, slightly raised. 




299. Dr. Burrill. (X%) 



DR. BURRILL. Fig. 299. Dr. Burrill is 
most promising in its plants, but rather disap- 
pointing in the quality of its berries, which, 



338 



DOLLAR 



GANDY 



however, are large and well colored. Never- 
theless, the variety is well worth further trial 
as a late midseason sort, its period of probation 
by no means being ended. Beny-growers in 
southern Illinois find it a very acceptable new 
sort. Dr. Burrill originated with J. R. Reason- 
er, Urbana, Illinois, and was introduced in 
1916. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, intermediate in vigor, 
healthy, productive ; leaves rugose, glossy ; flowers early 
midseason ; fruit-stems raised, with reflexed sepals, at- 
tractive green. Fruit late midseason ; large, regular, 
conical, strongly necked, medium to dark red, glossy ; 
apex pointed ; tlesh medium red throughout, variable in 
juiciness and flavor, firm, subacid: quality fair to good; 
seeds sunken. 

DOLLAR. This is an old sort long since 
discarded in the East, but now one of the 
leading varieties near Sacramento, California, 
where it is remarkable for its firm, handsome 
berries and for plants that bear productively 
from the middle of April to late summer or 
autumn. Dollar originated with 0. F. Felton, 
Merchantville, New York. The variety is 
distinct from Gold Dollar. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, make runners 
freely, pro'ductive. Fruit midseason to summer and 
autumn, large, globose-conic ; color attractive red on 
the outside with red flesh ; flesh firm, shipping and 
keeping well ; subacid and well flavored ; quality good 
to best ; seeds prominent. 

DUNLAP. Fig. 300. Senator Dunlap. The 
high quality and handsome appearance of the 
berries make Dunlap a great favorite for the 
garden and local markets in the northern states 
east of the Rocky 
Mountains. In the 
northern Mississippi 
Valley, it is grown al- 
most exclusively. Be- 
sides the characters 
named for the fruits, 
the variety has to its 
credit hardy, healthy, 
productive plants. Dun- 
lap originated with J. R. 
Reasoner, Urbana, Illi- 
nois, about 1890. 

Perfect. Plants very nu- 
merous, vigorous, healthy, 
very productive ; leaves of 
medium size and color ; leaf- 
stems long, slender ; fruit- 
stems long, slender, usually 
single; blooms in mid- 
season ; calyx large, re- 
flexed, usually on a slight 
neck. Fruit very large, midseason, drops in size as the 
season advances, round-conic or elongated, often with 
a neck, glossy, light and dark scarlet ; flesh well colored, 
firm, mild, pleasant flavor; quality good; seeds large, 
sunken. 

EARLY HATHAWAY. Texas. For 
many years Early Hathaway was grown more 
or less in northern Alabama, southern Ken- 
tucky, and Maryland, but it is losing favor in 
these regions, as the fruits are not well enough 
colored or firm enough for distant shipping. 
The variety originated in Arkansas, about 
1892. 




300. Dunlap. 
(X%) 



Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, make runnera 
freely, very productive. Fruit early, or medium size, 
globose-conic ; scarlet with light red to white flesh ; 
tlesli firm, brisk subacid ; quality fair. 

ECHO. In the Falmouth berry region of 
Massachusetts, Echo is much grown, being 
prized for productiveness, for stout stiff stems 
which hold the fruit off the ground, and for 
the excellent .'^hipping qualities of the berries. 
It was introduced by the Woodlawn Nurseries, 
Rochester, New York, in 1907. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, productive ; leaves light 
green ; leaf-stems of fair length, slender ; fruit-stems 
long, thick, usually double, erect ; blooms in mid- 
season ; calyx large, often leafy, slightly sunken. Fruit 
large, drops in size as the season advances, round-conic, 
apex very blunt, dull scarlet ; flesh whitish, juicy, 
firm, pleasant flavor ; good to very good in quality ; 
seeds sunken. 

EXCELSIOR. This old .sort, long growa 
in many parts of the United States, is still 
a standard in Arkansas and southern Califor- 
nia. Excelsior is prized in the regions named 
for berries that ripen early and ship well, 
although they have the fault of small size 
after the first picking. In some localities the 
plants are so unproductive that the variety is 
not profitable. Excelsior originated with Louis 
Hubach, Judsonia, Arkansas, in 1890. 

Perfect. Plants medium in number and vigor, 
healthy, not very productive ; leaves light green ; leaf- 
stems of average length, slender, usually double, pros- 
trate ; blooms early ; calyx small, often discolored, 
sunken. Fruit medium to small, early, round-conic, 
often blunt at apex, dark scarlet when well ripened ; 
flesh well colored, firm, tart, hardly good in quality ; 
seeds numerous, depressed. 

FORD. This is a new strawberry which 
gives promise of being one of the best late 
varieties. The berries are very large, attrac- 
tive dark red, and of most excellent quality. 
Another valuable a.sset is lateness in bloom- 
ing, whereby spring frosts are escaped. Ford 
is a chance seedlmg found by Granvill Brew- 
ington, about 1913, in Winomico County, 
Maryland. 

Perfect or semi-perfect. Plants numerous, extremely 
vigorous, healthy, very productive ; leaves of largest 
size, very thick, markedly dark green, rugose ; flowers 
very late ; fruit-stems very long, thick, erect, branch- 
ing into many long pedicels ; calyx unusually large, 
flat, very leafy, attractive green. Fruit verj late, of 
largest size, regular, blunt-wedge to blunt-conic, at- 
tractive, glossy, medium to dark red, coloring some- 
what unevenly"; apex obtuse ; flesh red throughout, un- 
usually Juicy, firm, mild, sweet ; quality good. 



GANDY. Fig. 301. 
Gandy's Prize. First 
Season. Candy has long 
been a standard sort in 
parts of Ma r y 1 a n d , 
Delaware, and New 
Jersey, and is more or 
less grown throughout 
northern United States. 
Its outstanding qualities 
are : handsome, deep 
red, firm fruit of very 
good quality; and late 
season, reaching the 




Candy. {X%) 



GLEN MARY 



JESSIE 



339 



market at the very close of the strawberry 
season. The berries are liked by canners and 
for culinary purposes in the home. The plants 
require moist, heavy, clay soils to produce 
sufficiently well ; they should be fruited but 
one season. Gandy originated with W. G. 
Gandy, Newport, New Jersey, in 1885. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, low, spreading, somewhat 
susceptible to disease, productive, make runners freely ; 
fruit-stems long and prostrate ; calyx large, easily de- 
tached. Fruit late, large, globose-conic, irregular ; color 
deep crimson ; tiesh firm, late, brisk subacid ; quality 
good ; core hollow ; seeds numerous, raised. 

GLEN MARY. Once widely and com- 
monly grown, Glen Mary is still prized in 
New York and New England for its exceed- 
ingly productive vines and its handsome, 
well-flavored fruits. Several faults mar the 
variety: the fruit-stems are too slender to 
hold the fruit off the ground; the foliage is 
susceptible to leaf-spot ; the plants thrive 
only on very heavy and enriched soils; and 
the blossoms are net entirely self-fertile. The 
varietj' originated with J. A. Ingram, East 
Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1896. 

Partially perfect. Plants rather small, spreading, 
fairly vigorous, somewhat susceptible to rust ; runners 
moderate ; leaves small, leaf-stalks slender ; fruit-stems 
slender, long, prostrate ; calyx of medium size, tlat, 
often discolored. Fruit midseason, medium to large, 
conic, sometimes necked, irregular ; color dull crimson 
often with white tips ; flesh red, rather soft, subacid ; 
core solid ; quality good ; seeds large, raised. 

GOLD DOLLAR. Unprofitable elsewhere 
for home or market. Gold Dollar is one of 
the leading early varieties in Oregon. Both 
vines and fniit please the Oregon growers. 
The variety originated in Oregon about 1906 
and rapidly found favor. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, fairly productive, healthy, 
make runners freely. Fruit early, medium to large, 
globose-conic ; color dark crimson ; flesh rather soft, 
red to the center, mild subacid ; quality only good. 




302. Good Luck. (X%) 

GOOD LUCK. Fig. 302. Growers agree 
that Good Luck ranks among the best new 
late strawberries. Its fruits are distinguished 
by flesh so firm that they are hardly sur- 
passed in standing transportation. Another 



outstanding character is that l4ie plants are 
not susceptible to leaf-spot. The fruits are 
large, handsome, and very good in quality 
for those who like a sprightly strawberry, 
having, besides sprightliness, a most distinctive 
flavor. A little too acid for dessert, canned 
or cooked, the berries are hardly surpassed in 
flavor. The calyx is large, leafy, and a beau- 
tiful green. A defect in the variety is that 
the apex colors slowly, so that the fruit must 
be picked carefully to avoid green tips. Plants 
of Good Luck must not be set closely, as 
they develop many runners. Good Luck 
originated with Elwood Pedrick, Cumberland 
County, Marj-land, in 1904. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, large, vigorous, healthy, 
very productive ; leaves medium in size and thickness, 
with crenate margins ; leaf-stalks long ; flowers medium 
in season of bloom ; fruit-stems long, thick, semi-erect, 
branching. Fruit late ; large, retains size well to close 
of season, distinctly wedge-shape, with some cockscombs 
in the first picking ; calyx large, attractive green, often 
surrounded at the base by small, fleshy protubeF!.nces ; 
apex a pointed wedge, inclined to green tips unless 
picked with care ; color attractive, medium red ; flesh 
well colored to the center, juicy, firm, sprightly ; good 
in quality ; seeds both raised and sunken. 

HAVERLAND. Fig. 303. For many years 
Haverland was considered one of the best 
strawberries for home use, and is still to be 
found in gardens in the 
northeastern states. The 
berries are too soft and 
too light in color for 
distant markets, but are 
often grown for near 
markets where the va- 
riety proves profitable 
because of the great 
productiveness of the 
plants. The crop ripens 
over a long season. The 
variety has the repu- 
tation of being very 
hardy, and its blossoms 
are said to be seldom 
injured by frost. Hav- 
erland originated in 
1882 with B. H. Haver- 
land, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Imperfect. Plant large, upright, vigorous, healthy, 
very productive ; leaves abundant, light green ; runners 
few : fruit-stalks rather short, often too weak to hold 
up the fruit. Fruit midseason, medium to large, long- 
conic, sometimes necked, light scarlet ; flesh light red, 
medium firm ; core pink, solid ; flavor mild subacid ; 
quality good ; seeds numerous, large, raised. 

JESSIE. This old variety is little grown 
now in any part of the United States except- 
ing near Sacramento, California, and even 
there is bemg discarded. It thrives in any 
rich soil and under high culture. The variety 
originated in Janesville, Wisconsin, with F. W. 
Loudon, in 1880. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, large, with many 
runners. Fruit midseason. large or very large, usually 
wedge-shaped, sometimes furrowed ; color variable rang- 
ing from light to dark scarlet ; flesh light pink, mod- 
erately firm, juicy and aromatic ; quality good. 




340 



JOE 



LA BON 



JOE. Fig. 304. Big Joe. Joe Emerson. 
Joe Johnson. This variety is a favorite in 
Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware, and is 
grown more or less in all parts of the United 




304. Joe. (X%) 

States, except where the wintei's are particu- 
larly austere. Its outstanding merits are large, 
handsome, well-flavored berries, suitable for 
either home use or the markets. It is a de- 
sirable kind for intensive culture. Joe origi- 
nated with Black, Son & Co., Hightstown, 
New Jersey. 

Perfect. Plants few, vigorous, healthy, productive 
■when planted close ; leaves medium to \'ery large, dark 
green ; leaf-stems long, thick ; fruit-stems long, thick, 
usually double, semi-erect ; blooms late ; calyx often 
large," leafy, usually flat. Fruit large to very large, 
midseason, " blunt, round-conic or irregular wedge, sur- 
face furrowed, glossy dark scarlet ; flesh dark red, firm, 
sprightly, good in quality ; seeds numerous, raised. 

JUCUNDA. This variety is one of the few 
sorts of European origin grown in America. 
It was formerly a standard in many parts 
of the United States, but is now grown only 
in the famous strawberry region of Steamboat 
Springs, Colorado, where it is liked because 
the plants are vigorous and healthy, and the 
stems hold the berries off the ground. The 
fruit is too soft to 
ship well and too light 
in color to look well. 
It was brought to 
America from England 
in 1859. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, 
healthy, productive and make 
runners freely ; fruit-stems 
stout, erect. Fruit late, 
large, round-conic to long- 
conic, light crimson ; flesh 
white ; mild subacid or 
sweetish, soft ; quality very 
good. 

KZLLOGG PRIZE. 

Fig. 305. The plant- 
habits of this new va- 
riety seem to be excep- 
tionally good, and the 
berries make a fine 




showing in size and color, and ship very well. 
It is worth tr>-ing as a late strawberry. The 
variety is a chance seedling found by R. M. 
Sears, La Grange, Illinois; it was introduced 
in 1913. 

Imperfect. Plants medium or below in number, in- 
termediate in vigor, healthy, productive ; leaves of 
medium size and color, thick, dull, rugose ; flowers 
early midseason ; fruit-stems thick, prostrate, branching ; 
calyx large, raised, leafy. Fruit matures late ; above 
medium to large, blunt-conic to blunt-wedge, necked, 
medium to light red ; apex slightly pointed ; flesh light 
red throughout, juicy, firm, sprightly ; quality fair to 
good ; seeds raised. 

KLONDIKE. Fig. 306. A general favor- 
ite in a large part of the United States, Klon- 
dike is grown almost exclusively in the south 
Atlantic and Gulf states for di.stant shipment. 
Its popularity is due to its healthy foliage 




305. Kellogg Prize. 

(X%) 



306. Klondike. (X%) 

and the firm flesh and deep red color of the 
berries, the last two characters fitting it for 
shipping and canning. The quality is not 
of the best, and the hulls do not part readily 
from the berries. Klondike originated with 
R. S. Cloud, Independence, Louisiana. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy, productive ; leaves 
large, dark green ; leaf-stems long ; fruit-stems long 
and thick, often single, erect ; blooms in midseason ; 
calyx large, reflexed, strongly tinged with dull red, 
flat or sunken. Fruit large, midseason, retains size 
as the season advances, blunt, round-conic, dark, dull, 
scarlet ; flesh dark red, very firm, acid ; rather poor 
in quality. 

LA BON. This is a new variety remark- 
able for it.s long, dense root-system and large 
flattened fruits. The plants are about all 
that could be desired, but the berries are not 
very attractive in shape or color, and do not 
ship well. The variety originated with H. J. 
Schild, Ionia, MichigaUj and was introduced 
in 1916. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, vigorous, healthy, pro- 
ductive ; leaves thick, very dark green, smooth, glossy ; 
flowers early midseason ; fruit-stems of medium length 
and thickness, semi-erect, branching, calyx intermediate 
in size, flat. Fruit medium early ; large, irregularly 
furrowed, oblate to round-oblate, glossy, light red, 
colors unevenly ; apex obtuse, indented ; flesh light red, 
becoming whitish toward the center, medium in firm- 
ness, with hollow core, mild, not high-flavored ; quality 
fair; seeds raised, orominent. 



LADY CORNEILLE 



MISSIONARY 



341 



LADY CORNEILLE. The catalogs list 
this variety as a desirable kind in parts of 
the South. In the North, the plants are rather 
unproductive, and, while they are attractive 
and ship well, the berries are not of high 
quality. The variety originated with T. C. 
Corneille, Ponchatoula, Louisiana, in 1909. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, vigorous, healthy, rather 
unproductive ; leaves small, thin, medium smooth, 
glossy ; flowers early ; fruit-stems short, thick, semi- 
erect, branching; calyx large, raised, leafy. Fruit 
matures early ; above medium in size, furrowed, wedge 
to blunt-conic, necked, often dark red ; apex slightly 
pointed ; flesh light red, becoming whitish toward the 
center, juicy, firm, sprightly, tart ; quality fair ; seeds 
raised. 

LATE STEVENS. Steven's Late Cham- 
pion. Late Stevens competes with Gandy in 
parts of New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, 
but as a rule is not so desirable a late variety. 
Faults are: the fruits lack uniformity in 
shape; the plants are not always productive; 
and the foliage is susceptible to mildew and 
leaf-spot. The variety originated with Arthur 
Stevens, Bridgeton, New Jersey, in 1897. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, susceptible to diseases, not 
alwa.vs productive, make runners freely. Fruit late to 
very' late, large, irregular wedge-shaped, crimson ; flesh 
firm, light red, brisk subacid, aroinatic ; quality good. 

LUPTON. Grown in southern New Jersey 
for the Philadelphia market, Lupton has to 
recommend it remarkably handsome fruits 
which ship well. The berries are so coarse 
and dry in flesh and so uninteresting in flavor, 
that the variety is one of the poorest in qual- 
ity of all strawberries. The foliage is suscep- 
tible to leaf-spot. This is a comparatively 
new kind introduced by M. D. Lupton, New- 
port, New Jersey, in 1915. 

Perfect. Plants large, vigorous, productive, suscep- 
tible to leaf-spot ; make runners freely. Fruit mid- 
eeason, very large, often double ; color bright red, 
glossy, seldom turning dark after picking ; flesh firm, 
dry, mild ; quality poor. 

McALPINE. This is a very late variety 
catalogued by several nurserymen as desir- 
able. The plant-habits appear to be good, 
except in the matter of resistance to disease, 
but the berries are often green at the tips, 
and inferior in quality. Despite these faults 
the variety is worth trying. It originated with 
Hauseman Brothers, Hilton, New Jersey, in 
1909. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, vigorous, injured by leaf- 
spot, productive ; leaves small, thin, light green, smooth ; 
flowers early midseason ; fruit-stems long, slender, erect, 
single ; calyx of medium size. Fruit late ; of large 
size, furrowed, blunt-wedge to blunt-conic, necked, dull, 
light red ; apex indented, green-tipped ; flesh light red, 
becoming whitish toward the center, very juicy, mild 
subacid ; quality fair ; seeds sunken. 

MAGIC GEM. This variety, introduced 
in 1916, on the grounds of the New York 
Agricultural Experiment Station, is so like 
Brandy wine as not to merit a separate descrip- 
tion. It may be a slight improvement on the 
older variety in a few characters. It is a seed- 
ling of unknown parentage found by Edward 
Vance, Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1912. 



MAGOON. This old variety is a favorite 
strawberry in parts of Oregon and Washing- 
ton, because of the great productiveness of 
the plants and the high quality of the fruit. 
The berries are too soft for shipping. The 
plants need a deep, moist, rich soil. Magoon 
originated with W. J. Magoon, Portland, 
Oregon, about 1890. 

Perfect. Plants large, making immense stools, healthy, 
very productive, making runners freely ; fruit-stems 
long, slender, weak. Fruit midseason, medium 10 
large, round-conic, irregular, dark crimson ; flesh dark 
red, medium firm, mild subacid ; quality good. 

MARSHALL. Henry. Long a commer- 
cial variety of high standing in the north- 
eastern states, Marshall fails south of Dela- 
ware and Pennsylvania. Wherever grown, 
the berries are a standard of excellence in 
quality. The plants require heavy, rich soils 
and intensive culture to force the foliage suffi- 
ciently to withstand leaf-spot. Under good 
conditions, the plants produce large crops of 
handsome, well-flavored berries. Marshall 
originated with M. F. Ewell, Marshfield Hills, 
Massachusetts. 

Perfect. Plants medium in number, productive ; 
leaves large, light to dark green ; stout, usually double, 
prostrate ; blooms in midseason ; calyx of medium size, 
discolored, depressed. Fruit very large, midseason, 
round-conic, surface often irregularly furrowed, dark 
scarlet ; flesh well colored, firm, juicy, pleasant acid, 
of high flavor ; very good ; seeds large, raised. 

MASCOT. Dons. Mascot is grown in parts 
of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, where 
it has merits as a late strawberry to take the 
place of Gandy. The vines are very produc- 
tive, and the berries are large, handsomely 
colored, and of excellent quality. The variety 
is well worth testing where a very late berry 
is wanted. It is said to succeed where Gandy 
grows well. Mascot originated with T. M. 
Hanback, Warrenton, Virginia, about 1906. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, productive ; leaves rugose ; 
flowers characteristically large and with crinkly petals, 
bloom late ; fruit-stems long, thick, semi-erect, branch- 
ing but little ; calyx large, slightly raised. Fruit late, 
large, blunt-wedge or round, sometimes necked, dull, 
rather unattractive medium red ; apex pointed, green- 
tipped, often somewhat seedy ; flesh well colored to 
center, juicy, firm, sweet, mild, high flavored ; very 
good in quality ; seeds large, raised. 

MICHEL. Michel's Early. Osceola. 
Ella. For many years Michel was a standard 
shipping sort for the South. It is still grown 
somewhat, but is being discarded. It originated 
with George Michel, Judsonia, Arkansas, in 
1883. 



Perfect. Plants vigorous, runners numerous, rather 
unproductive. Fruits early, rather small, round-conic, 
sometimes necked, dull scarlet ; flesh light red, firm, 
acid ; fair in quality. 

MISSIONARY. This new variety is the 
leading commercial sort in central Florida, and 
is more or less grown in eastern North Car- 
olina, the Norfolk region of Virginia, and in 
eastern Maryland. Earliness is its chief com- 
mercial asset, although the berries stand ship- 
ping well, and the plants are free from disease. 



342 



MYER 



PARSONS 



Missionary was sent out by E. W. Townsend 
& Co., Salisbury, Maryland, in 1906. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, vigorous, healthy ; leaves 
light green, smooth ; season of bloom early ; fruit- 
stems long, prostrate, branching, calyx small, raised. 
Fruit earlv ; above medium in size, blunt-conic, often 
necked, very dark, dull red, colors evenly, apex some- 
what pointed ; flesh well colored to center, juicy, very 
firm, tart, not pleasant in flavor ; fair in quality ; seeds 
small, sunken. 

MYER. This variety is grown only in 
southern Delaware, where it is prized for its 
productive plants, although the berries are 
large, attractive in quality, and ship fairly 
well. The flowers are imperfect, and are not 
so badly infe-sted with the weevil as varieties 
with perfect flowers. It originated with Myer 
& Son, Bridgeville, Delaware, in 1906. 

Imperfect. Plants intermediate in number and size, 
healthy, very productive ; leaves medium in size, thin ; 
flowers early ; calyx large, leafy, depressed. Fruit 
midseason ; above medium in size, regular, conic, scar- 
let, glossy and attractive, inclined to color unevenly ; 
flesh light colored toward the center, medium in firm- 
ness, mild, sweet ; quality good ; seeds sunken. 

NETTIE. The fruit of Nettie is jate and 
very showy but not of highest quality. In 
plant and fruit the variety is somewhat like 
the well-known Gandy, but the crop ripens a 
little later, and is preferred in some sections 
to that of Gandy. Nettie originated in 1893 
with Black, Son & Co., Hightstown, New 
Jersey. 

Perfect. Plants rather numerous, vigorous, healthy, 
productive ; leaves large, attractive, dark green ; leaf- 
stems long, thick : fruit-stems long, thick, often single, 
erect ; blooms late ; calyx medium to large, leafy, 
attractive green, raised. Fruit late, very large to 
above medium, round-conic or wedge to elongated, 
rather dull, light scarlet ; flesh of fair color, medium 
to firm, acid, not high in flavor ; good in quality ; seeds 
sunken. 

NEW YORK. This is a favorite straw- 
berry in the northeastern states in gardens 
and local markets, because of its large, sweet 
fruits, which are liked by many who cannot 
eat acid strawberries. Nurserymen offer sev- 
eral other varieties which are similar or identi- 
cal with New York: as. Otto, Fairdale Giant, 
Morgan, Oswego, Pocahontas, Roosevelt, Ryck- 
man, Maximus, Big Berry, Armstrong, Hum- 
mer, and Uncle Jim. It should be said that 
most of these varieties seem to have had in- 
dependent origin. New York originated in 
1890 with Martha Tanner, Slaterville Springs, 
New York. 

Perfect. Plants large, vigorous, productive, with a 
moderate number of runners. Fruit midseason, large, 
wedge-conic, irregular, crimson ; flesh red, soft to firm, 
mild subacid ; quality good. 

NICH OHMER. Nich Ohmer is grown 
rather freely in central Florida and the Wat- 
sonville region of California, and to some ex- 
tent in other parts of eastern United States. 
The variety is considered desirable because 
of productive plants and very large, firm, at- 
tractive berries. The berries run small after 
the first picking, however, and are not always 
good in quality; but in spite of these faults 



the popularity of the variety is increasing. 
Nich Ohmer originated with J. F. Beaver, 
Dayton, Ohio, about 1895. 

Perfect. Plants large, vigorous, productive, some- 
what susceptible to leaf-spot, make runners freely. Fruit 
midseason, large, round-conic, dark crimson, glossy ; 
flesh red, mild subacid, insipid in some localities and 
in others well flavored ; quality ranging from poor to 
very good. 

OREGON. Productiveness and large at- 
tractive berries of excellent quality make 
Oregon a valuable variety in the state for 
which it was named and in parts of California. 
It is grown for both home and market. Oregon 
originated with A. F. Hofstadtler, Salem, 
Oregon, about 1898. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, of medium vigor, healthy, 
very productive ; leaves small ; flowers early ; fruit- 
stem long, slender, erect, single ; calyx of medium 
size, variable in position. Fruit early ; of large size 
which is well retained throughout the season, very ir- 
regular in shape, averaging round-conic, glossy, medium 
to dark red, colors unevenly ; apex blunt ; flesh red 
throughout, juicy, firm, pleasantly sprightly ; good in 
quality ; seeds raised. 

OZARK. Early Ozark. Earliness is the 
chief character making Ozark a popular com- 
mercial variety in Missouri and neighboring 
states. The product is especially valued for 
canning. The variety originated with Charles 
Shull, Sarcoxie, Missouri, in 1902. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, medium in vigor, healthy, 
very productive ; leaves small, medium green ; leaf- 
stems slender, characteristically tinged red ; flowers 
early ; calyx small, reflexed, depressed. Fruit very 
early ; above medium to medium in size, round-conic, 
glossy, dark scarlet ; apex obtuse or indented ; flesh 
well colored, very juicy, firm, subacid or pleasantly 
tart, higli-flavored ; quality very good to best ; seeds 
small, sunken. 

PAN AMERICAN. Fig. 307. Pan Amer- 
ican is a claimant for recognition as the first 
of the everbearing strawberries, and as one of 
the parents of many 
later ones. The vines 
are not productive, 
make few plants, and 
the fruit is none too 
good, for which reasons 
the variety is being 
discarded. Pan Amer- 
ican originated with 
Samuel Cooper, Dele- 
van, New York, in 1898. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, 
variable in productiveness ; 
leaves small, dark green ; 
leaf-stems short, slender ; 
flower-stems short, stout, 
erect, double ; calyx small, 
deeply set. Fruits of me- 
dium size, round-conic, obtuse, dull scarlet ; flesh pale 
red, firm, aromatic, subacid ; quality good ; seeds very 
numerous, raised. 




307. Pan American. 
(X%) 



PARSONS. While nowhere highly prized. 

Parsons is grown somewhat in Delaware, Mary- 
land, and western New York. The berries 
are liked by canners, as they retain their shape 
very well after cooking; have firm, red flesh; 
are excellent in flavor; and the hulls come 




GOOD LUCK 



PEERLESS 



SAMPLE 



343 



off easily. The plants are very productive, 
but are somewhat susceptible to leaf-spot. 
The variety originated with R. G. Parsons, 
Parsonburg, Maryland, about 1895. 

Perfect. Plants large, susceptible to leaf-spot, pro- 
ductive ; numerous runners. Fruits midseason, medium 
to large, conic or wedge-conic, irregular, bright crim- 
son ; flesh red, brisk subacid, firm ; quality fair to good. 

PEERLESS. Of the several everbearing 
strawberries on probation, one of the most 
meritorious is Peerless, a recent introduction 
from Samuel Cooper, Delevan, New York. It 
is very similar in plant and fruit to the well- 
known Superb, but the beiries are larger in 
size, of better quality, and the plants are 
more productive. The variety is adapted to 
conditions under which the older variety 
thrives. Under most conditions Peerless is 
a better strawberry than Superb and should 
replace it. 

POCOMOKE. Gibson. This variety is 
occasionally found in western New York, but 
is more generally grown in Michigan and in 
the Middle West. Its outstanding characters 
are hardy and productive plants and large, 
handsome berries, firm enough to reach the 
market in good condition. Pocomoke re- 
sembles Parsons and by some is thought to be 
identical. The variety originated in Maryland 
and was introduced about 1902. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, healthy and make runners 
freely. Fruit midseason, medium to large, round-conic, 
bright crimson ; flesh firm, well colored, brisk subacid ; 
quality good. 

PREMIER. This variety is being intro- 
duced by several nurserymen who speak well 
of it; at Geneva, New York, the berries 
run large and are attractive in shape. The 
variety is a seedling of unknown parentage 
raised by E. H. Riehl, Alton, Illinois, in 1912. 

Perfect. Plants medium in number and vigor, healthy, 
productive ; leaves small, rugose, dull ; flowers early ; 
fruit-stems very short, thick, prostrate, branching ; 
calyx large, raised, attractive green. Fruit medium 
early ; medium to small, long-conic to long-wedge, 
with furrow running from base to apex on the largest 
berries, necked, glossy, red ; apex pointed ; flesh red 
to the center, juicy, firm, with a firm core, sprightly ; 
quality good ; seeds sunken. 

PROGRESSIVE. Of the score or more 
everbearing strawberries introduced in recent 
years, Progressive is the most widely known. 
Its outstanding characters are hardiness, free- 
dom from disease, and handsome well-flavored 
fruits. The plants produce in the spring as 
well as the fall. The variety is adapted only 
to northern climates. Progressive originated 
with Harlow Rockhill, Conrad, Iowa, in 1908. 

Perfect. Plants few. vigorous, productive, healthy ; 
leaves dark green, smooth ; season of bloom early ; 
fruit-stems variable in length, thick, much branched ; 
calyx flat, reflexed, attractive green and often with 
pink tinge. Fruit matures early ; varies considerably 
in size ranging from large to small, blunt-wedge to blunt- 
conic, glossy, medium to dark red, colors evenly ; apex 
obtuse : flesh well colored to center, firm, subacid, mild ; 
good in quality ; seeds prominent, raised. 

PROLIFIC. Fig. 308. This variety orig- 
inated on the grounds of the New York Agri- 



cultural Experiment Station and was distributed 
in 1908. Because of the vigor and productive- 
ness of its plants, and the attractiveness of 
its large, handsome, well-flavored berries, the 




308. Prolific. (X%) 

variety gives promise of taking high rank as 
a commercial sort. Unfortunately, the plants 
are somewhat susceptible to leaf-spot. 

Perfect. Plants very numerous, vigorous, unusually 
productive, 3'ielding on the Station grounds as high 
as 14,502 quarts per acre; foliage somewhat susceptible 
to leaf-blight in unfavorable seasons ; leaf-stems long, 
thick ; fruit-stems stout and usually single, semi-erect ; 
blooms and ripens in midseason ; calyx depressed. Fruit 
very large, retains size well as tfie season advances, 
round-conic to blunt wedge, attractive bright scarlet ; 
flesh firm, good color, agreeably acid ; quality good ; 
seeds numerous, raised. 

RICE. Kitty Rice. This is an old sort 
which now finds favor locally in Massachu- 
setts. The berry is attractive in size, shape, 
and color, and is of highest quality. The plant- 
characters are below the average. The variety 
originated with J. F. Beaver, Dayton, Ohio, 
about 1890. 

Imperfect. Plants of medium number, large, healthy, 
productive ; leaves medium green ; leaf-stems long, of 
average thickness ; calyx large, flattened, reflexed, leafy. 
Fruit midseason ; conic or inclined to wedge-shaped, 
scarlet, glossy and attractive ; apex medium pointed ; 
flesh light colored toward the center, very juicy, of 
medium firmness, high-flavored, tart unless fully ripe, 
when it becomes sweet ; very good to best ; seeds 
raised. 

ROUGH RIDER. With but few characters 
of the plant to recommend it. Rough Rider 
is nevertheless a desirable late strawberry on 
account of the large size, bright color, and 
high quality of the fruit. The variety is 
grown only in New York and New England. 
It was introduced by L. J. Farmer, Pulaski, 
New York, in 1900. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, productive, making nu- 
merous runners ; leaves of medium size, dark green ; 
leaf-stems long, slender ; fruit-stems slender, stout, 
double ; calyx small, leafy, reflexed. Fruit late, large, 
retaining its size throughout the season, round-conic, 
dark scarlet ; flesh firm, light red, well-flavored ; good in 
quality ; seeds depressed. 

SAMPLE. Fig. 309. Once a standard sort, 
Sample is now passing from cultivation, al- 



344 



SHARPLESS 



UNCLE JIM 



though it is still grown more or less in the 
northeast and middle western states It came 
mto prominence because of the productiveness 
of the plants, and its large, uniform, hand- 





309. Sample. (X%) 

some dark-red fruit. The berries are too soft 
for shipping long distances, therefore the 
variety is of value only for local market and 
home gardens. Dunlap is the best pollinator. 
Sample originated with J. D. Gowing, North 
Reading, Massachusetts, in 1894. 

Imperfect. Plants large, healthy, productive and 
make runners freely. Fruits late, large, round-conic 
or long-conic, dark crimson ; flesh dark red, firm, sub- 
acid, well flavored ; quality good. 

SHARPLESS. Dmdey. Ontario. Shaw. 
Sharpless was one of the standard varieties in 
the last quarter of the century just passed, 
and is still grown on the Pacific coast from 
California to British Columbia The variety 
is noted for its very large berries, few other 
sorts producing so many of large size, al- 
though, unfortunately, many are malformed. 
Sharpless is rather caprieiou.: in bearing, tender 
in blossom, and many berries have green tips. 
The variety originated in 1872 with L. K. 
Sharpless, Catawissa, Pennsylvania. 

Perfect. Plant medium in 
size, spreading ; leaves me- 
dium in size ; runners rather 
numerous ; fruit-stalks long, 
stifl' ; calyx medium, easily 
detached. Fruit midseason 
to late, large, often irregu- 
lar, wedge-conic, bright scar- 
let ; flesh light red, firm; 
core pink, hard, sometimes 
hollow ; flavor mild subacid ; 
quality good ; seeds raised. 

SUPERB. Fig. 310. 
After Progressive, Su- 
perb is probably the 
most generally grown 
of the everbearing 
strawberries. It has to 
recommend it hardy 



and healthy plants and handsome, richly- 
flavored berries. It needs an abundant supply 
of moisture, hence is well adapted to the irri- 
gated regions of the Northwest, although it is 
grown in the Northeast as well. It originated 
in New York about 1908. 

Perfect. Plants large, productive, healthy, make run- 
ners freely. Fruit midseason, large, round or round- 
conic, dark crimson when fully ripe ; flesh light crimson, 
Boft to firm, mild subacid ; quality good except late in 
the season in cool weather. 

SUPERIOR. This variety is a favorite in 
some parts of Delaware and New Jersey, being 
prized for its productive plants and attractive, 
highly-flavored fruits. The berries average 
small for the season, which is against it as a 
commercial fruit. Superior originated with 
E. W. Townsend & Co., Salisbury, Maryland, 
about 1888. 

Perfect. Plants numerous, vigorous, productive ; 
leaves large, thick, medium green ; leaf-stems long, 
slender ; flowers very early ; calyx average size, flat- 
tened, leafy. Fruit midseason, large, conic or wedge- 
shaped, glossy, bright scarlet ; apex variable in shape ; 
flesh well colored, - juicy, firm aromatic, high-flavored, 
subacid or sweet ; very good in quality ; seeds raised. 

TENNESSEE. This variety is a favorite 
in the District of Columbia, having been dis- 
carded in most other regions. About Wash- 
ington, it is liked because of the productive- 
ness of the plants and the attractiveness of 
the berries. The fruits are too soft for dis- 
tant shipment. The variety originated in 
Tennessee and was introduced about 1892. 

Perfect. Plants healthy, vigorous, productive, and 
make runners freely. Fruit early, medium to large, 
round-conic to wedge-shaped, bright crimson ; flesh red, 
soft or rather firm, subacid ; pleasantly flavored ; quality 
good. 

THOMPSON. Lady Thompson. At one 
time largely grown in the southeastern states, 
Thompson is now nearly supplanted by Klon- 
dike. The plants are very productive, but the 
berries are too soft and too light in color for 
a good commercial sort. The variety does 
especially well on poor soils. It originated 
with D. A. Thompson, Mount Olive, North 
Carolina, in 1894. 

Perfect. Plants large, vigorous, fairly healthy and 
make runners freely. Fruits of medium size, round- 
conic or conic, bright scarlet ; flesh light red, subacid, 
rather soft ; quality good. 

TRIOMPHE. Triomphe de Gand. Intro- 
duced more than a half-century ago, Triomphe 
is still grown in some parts of the East, and 
is said to be much valued for intensive culture 
in the Pacific states. It is one of the few 
exotic sorts that have proved profitable in 
North America. The variety originated in 
Belgium, and was introduced by Ellwanger 
& Barry, Rochester, New York, in 1855. 

Perfect. Plants large, healthy, productive ; runners 
few or moderate in number. Fruits late, large, round, 
sometimes cockscombed, bright crimson ; flesh white, 
firm, mild subacid ; quality very good. 

UNCLE JIM. Doman. Despite unat- 
tractive color of berries, which, besides, are 
often too coarse to be inviting, this variety is 



WARFIELD 



WOOLVERTON 



345 



rather commonly grown in some parts of 
Michigan. It originated with J. F. Doman, 
Glenn, Michigan, in 1898. 

Perfect. Plants of medium number, vigorous, healthy, 
productive : leaves very large, dark green ; leaf-stems 
long, slender ; fruit-stems long, thick, double, prostrate, 
blooms midseason ; calyx large, sometimes leafy, often 
discolored, variable in position. Fruit large to medium, 
retains size well in late pickings, wedge-shaped or 
round-conic, surface furrowed, dull, unattractive light 
and dark scarlet ; flesh medium red, firm, mild ; quality 
fair to good ; seeds sunken. 

WARFIELD. Fig. 311. For many years 
a standard sort, Warfield is now quite generally 
discarded except in the 
northern part of the 
Middle West, where it 
is still grown, being 
prized for its hardy, 
healthy, and productive 
plants. The fruits are 
especially well liked by 
canners, as they retain 
their color, shape, and 
flavor very well. The 
berries run small, unless 
the plants are grown on 
rich soils and given high 
culture. Dunlap is the 
best variety to polli- 
nate it. The variety 
originated in Illinois in 
1882. 

Imperfect. Plants large, vigorous, healthy, produc- 
tive and make runners very freely. Fruit early to 
midseason, medium in size, round or round-conic, dark 
crimson, glossy ; fiesh soft or fairly firm, dark red, acid, 
well flavored; quality very good. 





312. William Belt. (X%) 

WILLIAM BELT. Fig. 312. Belt. William 
Belt has long been a favorite in New England 



and New York for the home-garden, for which 
it is well fitted because of the productiveness 
of its vines and its handsome dark-red, well- 
flavored fruits. The berries are not firm enough 
for the market. It should be planted in 
fertile soils and receive the best culture. The 
variety originated with William Belt, Me- 
chanicsburg, Ohio, about 1888. 

Perfect. Plants vigorous, fairly healthy ; runners 
numerous. Fruits medium to late, large, irregular, 
globose-conic or wedge-shaped ; flesh rather soft, outer 
color dark crimson with dark red flesh ; core pink, 
hollow; mild subacid; quality very good to bestj seeds 
prominent. 

WILLIAMS. This variety is grown in the 
Niagara district of Canada and the United 
States. Its virtues are productive vines and 
handsome dark-red fruits; its faults, suscepti- 
bility to diseases and too many berries with 
white tips. The variety originated on the 
Carlton Fruit Farm, St. Catherines, Ontario, 
about 1890. 

Perfect. Plants few, of medium vigor, healthy, pro- 
ductive ; leaves medium in size, dark green ; leaf-stems 
of fair length, slender ; fruit-stems short, variable in 
thicliness, often double, prostrate ; blooms late ; calyx 
of medium size, not leafy, pale green, flat. Fruit 
large to medium, late, blunt, round-conic, dark scarlet, 
dull ; flesh dark red, firm, agreeably acid, pleasant 
flavor ; quality good to very good ; seeds raised. 

WILSON. No other strawberry now of- 
fered by nurser>-men has been so long under 
cultivation as Wilson, and no other one has 
been so commonly grown. For many years 
it was grown in all parts of the United States, 
but it is now planted only about Rochester, 
New York, and in the states of Oregon and 
Washington. In these regions it is liked for its 
productive plants, and its dark-red, acid fruits, 
for which the canners are willing to pay a 
high price. It succeeds only on the most fer- 
tile soils. Wilson originated with James Wil- 
son, Albany, New York, in 1851. 

Perfect. Plants large, healthy, vigorous, productive, 
make runners freely ; fruit-stems of medium length, 
erect, branched. Fruit early midseason, of medium 
size, round-conic, dark crimson ; flesh dark red, very 
firm : core solid, acid ; quality very good ; seeds even 
with the surface but rather prominent. 

WOOLVERTON. This variety is some- 
what grown in Delaware to pollinate Meyer, 
which it so closely resembles that the two can 
be shipped together. It originated in Canada 
and was introduced about 1891. 

Perfect. Plants of medium size, rather productive, 
healthy, make runners freely. Fruit midseason, large, 
round-conic to wedge shape, crimson ; flesh red, rather 
firm, mild subacid ; quality good. 



PART VIII 
MISCELLANEOUS FRUITS 



CHAPTER XXVI 

PERSIMMONS, MULBERRIES, PAPAWS, ELDERS, HIGH-BUSH, 

CRANBERRIES, BUFFALO-BERRIES, GOUMIS, 

AND BARBERRIES 



Besides the commonly cultivated plants, 
there are a great number of tree- and bush- 
fruits in North America which yield edible 
products. The aborigines in what is now the 
United States obtained food from about 200 
species of tree, bush, vine and small-fruits. 
Not more than 45 of these are under cultiva- 
tion, and unquestionably more of them will 
be domesticated to the enrichment of Ameri- 
can pomology. Indeed, something is being 
done now towards the domestication of the 
most promising. Possibly the persimmon is 
the most important of these: a number of 
varieties of this fruit already have been intro- 
duced to cultivation. 

THE PERSIMMON 

The persimmons are members of the genus 
Diospyros, in which there are more than 150 
species, mostly inhabitants of the tropics in 
both hemispheres, but a few grow in temperate 
climates and fall under the head of hardy 
fruits. Diospyros belongs to the ebony family 
(Ebenacea>), of which the ebony of commerce 
is the type. Two species grow in temperate 
eastern North America, one of which is al- 
ready of importance in pomology and the 
other gives some promise of value. Besides 
these native persimmons, a score or more va- 
rieties of Asiatic persimmons have been intro- 
duced vmder the names Japanese persimmon or 
kaki. These foreign fruits are tender to cold, 
being but little hardier than the orange, and 
thrive only in California and the cotton-belt 
of the South, therefore can hardly be consid- 
ered as proper subjects for discussion in a 
book on hardy fruits. 

Of the two native persimmons, the black 
persimmon, Diospyros texana, abounding in 
western and southern Texas, while of some 
promise, is not yet planted for its fruit, and 
may therefore be dismissed without further 
discussion. The American persimmon, Diospy- 
ros virginiana, the wild persimmon of south- 
eastern America, since the discovery of the 
country has attracted the attention of ex- 
plorers and colonists; its fruit has been utilized 
from the first settlement of the country ; and 
it is the plant of present importance, with 
prospective value equal to that of almost any 
other native fruit. 

Diospyros virginiana, Linn. American Persimmon. 
Comrion Persimmon. Simmon-tree. Date Plum. 
Possum-wood. Tree 50-100 feet, round-topped head, 



branches spreading or drooping, irregular ; bark thick, 
hardy, brown or black, fissured into small blocks. 
Leaves ovate or oval, pointed, 3-6 inches long, hairy 
when young, smooth with age or pubescent beneath. 
Flowers yellowish-green, dicecious, the sterile on one 
tree, the fertile ones on another, the former in small 
clusters, the latter solitary ; corolla usually 4-lobed ; 
sterile flowers % inch long with 16 stamens : fertile 
with a pointed hairy ovary surmounted with 4 slender 
styles, ^ inch long. Fruit a drupe, reddish-yellow or 
sometimes purplish, globose or obovate, set in a leathery 
4-lobed calyx, 1'^^ inches in diameter, pulpy, astringent 
when green, sweet when ripe or after frost ; variable in 
size, color and flavor. 

The persimmon is usually found in woods, 
preferring dry lands, from Rhode Island, 
southern New York, Iowa, and Kansas south- 
ward to Florida and Texas. As wild plants, 
the trees are little attacked by insects and 
fimgi ; thrive under exceedingly variable con- 
ditions ; vary greatly in tree and fruit ; are 
vigorous, self-assertive plants and promise 
rapid and easy domestication and improvement. 

The early explorers found the persimmon 
used by the Indians, and, while at first they 
found that "Persimmons were harsh and 
choakie and furred in a man's mouth like 
allam," they pronounced the fruit pleasant and 
luscious when they discovered that it was 
edible only when dead ripe or touched by 
frost. DcSoto seems to have been the first 
European to discover the persimmon, having 
found the fruit helpful in eking out the scanty 
fare for his men in the autumn of 1539. The 
description of it published in the narrative of 
DeSoto's expedition in 1557 was the first, but 
in the next century persimmons were admir- 
ably described by several explorers. 

The persimmon is usually thought of as a 
fruit of the cotton-belt, because it grows most 
abundantly in the far South, and bears fruits 
much less austere southward. Nevertheless, 
wild persimmons grow as far north as the Great 
Lakes, and planted trees grew for many years 
on the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station, central New York, suc- 
cumbing to the cold w-inter of 1916-17. Most 
of the varieties now under cultivation have 
come from southern and southwestern wild 
plants. Selections made from the most north- 
ern trees would probably result in hardier 
varieties, although the quality might fall short. 
The chief difficulties in growing persimmons 
at present are found in propagation and trans- 
planting. Named varieties must be budded or 
grafted —difficult operations, — and the tree, 
having a long tap-root, is not easily trans- 
planted. 



350 



THE PERSIMMON 



THE PERSIMMON 



The fruits of the persimmon vary in size 
from that of a small cherry to that of a large 
plum. They are sometimes entirely destitute 
of seeds, these seedless sorts being pleasantest 
to eat, although they more often run small in 
size. The fruit of some trees is soft, crushing 
as easily as a ripe peach, while on other trees 
it remains as hard as a green apple even after 
heavy frost. The produce of some trees is 
sweet and luscious at maturity without the 
action of frost, while on others it is astringent 
and inedible to the end, neither maturity nor 
frost alleviating its austerity. The persimmon 
ripens its fruit in midsummer near the Gulf, 
but not until late autumn at its northern 
limits, where the trees retain the crop until 
after heavy frosts. The fruits vary in color 
from yellow to orange and even purplish red, 
with many varietal marks, and are often cov- 
ered with more or less bloom. The crop of 
late varieties often turns dark red, shriveling 
and drying on the trees until the fruits re- 
semble dried dates in appearance and some- 
what in taste. The best varieties are those 
that ripen as the leaves begin to fall, the 
earliest and latest fruits being poor in flavor. 

There seem to be few records of successful 
efforts at crossing native persimmons with 
Japanese varieties, j'et such crosses have been 
made. The Japanese persimmon, or kaki, 
has been cultivated for centuries in Japan and 
China, and hundreds of varieties have been 
developed. One species at least, probably 
Diospyros Kaki, is hardy as far north as Pekin 
and is found in the colder parts of Japan, 
regions as cold as New England; there are 
no reasons why strains of this species could 
not be grown wherever the peach can be 
grown in North America. Since hybridization 
is possible, there are great opportunities in the 
crossing of Japanese and native persimmons 
for both northern and southern fruit regions 
in America. This would give the country a 
handsome new fruit of excellent quality, easily 
grown, which stands shipment when fresh, and 
can be kept long when dried. 

Some twenty or thirty nurserymen in the 
South and California offer varieties of per- 
simmons for sale. The best varieties are de- 
scribed by W. F. Fletcher in Fanner's Bulletin 
No. 685, United States Department of Agricul- 
ture, from which the following descriptions, 
with two exceptions, are taken: 

DESCBIPTIONS OF VARIETIES OF PERSIMMONS 

BOONE 
Danifl Boone 

Origin, Indiana, where it ripens during October and 
November ; form, roundish oblate ; size, medium ; color, 
yellow with dull blush in the sun ; skin, rather tough ; 
seeds, numerous, flavor, sweet but not rich ; quality, 
good. 

BUltRIER 

Origin, central Kentucky, where it ripens rather 
early ; form, oblate ; size, medium ; color, yellow ; prac- 
tically seedless ; flesh, soft ; quality, very good. 

DELMAS 

Origin, Scranton, Mississippi, where it ripens during 
October and early November ; form, roundish-oblate ; 



size, medium to large ; color, reddish-yellow ; skin, thin, 
and tough ; seeds, numerous ; flavor, sweet and rich ; 
quality, very good. 

EARLY BEARINO 

Introduced from Cartersburg, Indiana, where it ripens 
early in October ; form, round-ovate ; size, medium ; 
color, dull yellow ; quality, good. 

EARLY GOLDEN 

Origin, Illinois, where it ripens in September ; form, 
oblong ; size, medium to large ; color, yellow ; skin, 
thin ; seeds, few ; flavor, sweet ; quality, very good. 

GLIDWELL 

This variety is offered in Indiana as one of the best 
native persimmons for that region, it having originated 
a few years ago in that state. The fruit is described 
as large, oblong, good in quality and as without 
astringency. 




313. Golden Gem Persimmon. (XD 



GEM. Fig. 313 
Introduced from Borden, Indiana, where it ripens 
from August to October ; form, roundish-oblong ; size, 
medium to large ; color, dark orange to red ; seeds, few ; 
flavor, rich and sweet ; quality, good. 



Origin, Washington County, Indiana, where it ripens 
in October ; form, roundish-oblate ; size, medium to 
large ; color, dark red ; skin, thin and tender ; seeds, 
few ; flavor, rich ; qualily, very good. 




314. Josephine Persimmon. (XD 



JOSEPHINE. Fig. 314 

American Honey. Eoney 

Origin near Bluffton, Missouri, where it ripens in 

September ; form, roundish-oblate ; size, medium ; color. 



THE PERSIMMON 



THE MULBERRY 



351 



bright yellow, changing to pale translucent ; skin, 
tough ; seeds, few ; flavor, sweet and rich ; quality, good. 



Introduced from Missouri, where it ripens in Septem- 
ber : form, roundish-oblate ; size, rather large ; color, 
yellow splashed with red ; flavor, rich ; quality, very 
good. 

KAWAKAMI 

This is a hybrid between the American and the 
Japanese persimmon, having the size and shape of the 
Japanese variety and the flavor of the American. It is 
said to be almost as hardy as the native persimmon. 
Nurserymen in Texas have been offering it since 1905. 




315. Miller Persimmon. (XD 

MILLER. Fig. 315 

Origin, Jackson County, Missouri, where it ripens in 

September ; form, roundish-oblate ; size, large ; color, 

reddish-yellow, translucent ; skin, tough ; seeds, rather 

numerous ; flavor, sweet ; quality, good. 




316. Ruby Persimmon. (XD 



RCBY. Fig. 316. 
Little's Ruby 
Introduced from Cartersburg, Indiana, where it ripens 
during September and for some time later ; form, 
roundish-oblate ; size, small to medium ; color, yellowish- 
red, shading to deep red ; skin, tender ; seeds, few ; 
flavor, sweet ; quality, very good. 

SHOTO KOTO 

Introduced from Danville, Indiana, where it ripens 
during October ; form, oblong-ovate ; size, large ; color, 
dull yellow, blushed in the sun ; skin, rather tough ; 
seeds, few ; qual' cy, very good. 



Introduced from Pennsylvania, where it ripens during 
October and November ; form, roundish-oblate ; size, 
medium ; color, dull yellow, splashed with red ; flavor, 
rich and sweet ; quality, very good. 



THE MULBERRY 

The genus Morus, to which the mulberry 
belongs, is a small one, not more than ten 
species now being recognized. All of these 
produce edible fruits, but only three are cul- 
tivated for their fruits. Morus is a member 
of the mulberry family (Moracece), and is asso- 
ciated with the fig, the bread-fruit of the 
tropics, and several genera producing the 
rubber of commerce. Two of the ten species 
of Morus are natives of North America, all of 
the others being inhabitants of temperate re- 
gions in Europe and Asia, most abundant in 
the last-named continent. All are well known 
for their edible, berry-like fruits, and as trees 
upon which the silkworm feeds. 

The species cultivated for their fruits are 
all trees with milky sap and fleshy yellow 
roots. The leaves are alternate, deeply lobed, 
and deciduous. The flowers are dioecious or 
monoecious, both sexes in small, hanging, 
cylindric a.xillary catkins, the staminate ones 
soon falling. The fruit consists of an aggre- 
gation of more or less united and compressed 
drupelets tipped with the remnants of the 
Btigma and enclosing a nutlet, the multiple 
fruit resembling a blackberry. 




317. White Mulberry. (XVs) 



1. Morus alba, Linn. Fig. 317. White Mulberry. 
Tree 30-60 feet, low-branched, with bark broadly fur- 
rowed into light-brown ridges. Leaves thin, firm, 
rather small, ovate or ovate-oval, taper-pointed, rounded 
or heart-shaped at the base, variously lobed, doubly 
toothed, the teetli large, obtuse, smooth and light glossy 
green above, paler along the paler veins beneath. 
Staminate flowers in slender catkins, ^-1 inch long; 
pistillate catkins shorter and thicker. Fruit variable, 
usually oblong-oval, white or pinkish, sometimes nearly 
dry, sweet and often insipid. 

The home of M. alba is supposed to be 
northern China and Japan. This species in its 
many forms has been cultivated in China and 
Japan from the remotest times to furnish food 
for the silkworm. Long before the Christian 
era, it spread westward through India and 
southern Asia, but did not reach Europe until 
the Middle Ages, where its cultivation for silk- 
worms soon became general in Italy and 
France. It is one of the most interesting and 
important tree-plants under domestication. 
No other tree gives employment, directly and 
indirectly, to so many people. Few trees, if 
any, supply a product of greater value. No 



352 



WHITE MULBERRY 



BLACK MULBERRY 



other tree has been so much discussed in lit- 
erature. Cultivation for centuries in widely 
different soils and climates and for special 
characters has produced many strains of the 
white mulberry, some of which have been 
raised to the rank of species. 

Most important of these outlying forms of 
the white mulberry is M. multicauUs, Perr, 
from China, where it is the chief silkworm 
mulberrj^ This tree was introduced into the 
United States in 1826 as food for silkworms; 
the silk industry was started earlier by private 
individuals and then fostered by state and 
national legislation. Its introduction brought 
on the "Multicaulis Craze," the most dramatic 
and the most disastrous agricultural episode 
North America has known. (For a full ac- 
covmt of the "Multicaulis Craze" and of mul- 
berries in general, see Bailey's Evolution of 
our Native Fruits, Chapter II.) But of the 
millions of trees of the Multicaulis mulberries 
then planted, scarcely a plant now remains in 
the North, the trees having proved tender to 
cold, and but few are to be found in the 
South. 

According to Bailey, but one variety of the 
Multicaulis mulberry was introduced for its 
fruit, — the Downing, from seeds sown by 
Charles Downing, Newburgh, New York, 
about 1846. While popular at first, the Down- 
ing proved to be but half-hardy and soon 
disappeared in the North. It is still grown 
somewhat in the South for its fruits and as a 
stock upon which to graft other mulberries. 
Nurserymen in the North offer a Downing 
mulberry, but this is not the original variety, 
Bailey tells us, but a supplanter belonging to 
M. alba. By whom and when the transfer 
was made does not appear. 

The variety now sold as Downing, accord- 
ing to Bailey, is the New American introduced 
about 1854 by N. H, Lmdley, Bridgeport, 
Connecticut, probably a seedling of one of the 
mulberries introduced in the attempt to start 
the silk industrv'. Trowbridge and Thorburn 
are very similar, both of them varieties of a 
generation ago, but not now found in the trade 
catalogs. All three are forms of M. alba. 
Besides these horticultural varieties of M. 
alba, we have in America a botanical variety 
of this species, var. tatarica, Loud., the Rus- 
sian mulberry, a hardy type introduced in 
America by the Russian Mennonites in 1875-77, 
of which Bailey records two varieties, Ramsey 
White and Victoria. The varieties of the 
white mulberry are all unimportant and little 
known; nor is there much promise in the 
species as a fruit-producing plant, the fruits 
being too sweet, insipid, and dry as compared 
with those of other species. European writers, 
however, state that the white mulberry is one 
of the mainstays of existence in Turkestan 
and neighboring countries, where the product 
is said to be used fresh, dried, dried and 
ground into meal, for fattening hogs, and for 
poultry. Possibly, however, these varieties of 
Turkestan are forms of M. nigra, next to be 
discussed. 



2. Moras nigra, Linn. Fig. 318. Blaok Mulberry. 
Tree taller and stouter than that of M. alba; branches 
numerous, slender, spreading, forming a large round 
head ; baric slightly fissured, with many dark scales. 
Leaves thin, firm, short, taper-pointed, rounded or 




318. Black Mulberry. (XVa) 

heart-shaped at the base, sharply toothed, usually not 
lobed, darlc green and rough al>ove, paler with promi- 
nent veins beneath. Flowers very similar to those of 
M. alba. Fruit comparatively large, oblong, black 
when fully ripe, with dark red juice. 

The black mulberry is supposed to have 
come from Persia and adjacent countries, but 
has long been known in Europe, and is now 
naturalized in the milder climates of that 
continent. The species is rather widely culti- 
vated in the Old World for its fruits, and 
there are several named varieties. It was 
early introduced in America, and has escaped 
from cultivation in many parts of the South 
and California. North of the Potomac, it can 
be grown only in sheltered situations, as it is 
scarcely so hardy as the peach. The fruit is 
larger and juicier than that of the other 
mulberries and not so sweet and insipid. The 
tree is well worth cultivating as a fruit-plant, 
and has been singularly neglected in the re- 
gions in which it thrives, but one variety, the 
Black Persian, being listed in the fruit-books. 
All who know the fruit of this species in 
Europe and Asia speak of it as most whole- 
some and palatable as a dessert fruit, for 
culinary purposes, and for the making of 
cooling beverages. This and the other mul- 
berries, so far, have few insect and fungus 
troubles in America, but the birds take enor- 
mous toll, and might make profitable cultiva- 
tion difficult. 

3. Morvs rubra, Linn. Fig. 319. Red Mulberry. 
Native Mulberry. Virginia Mulberry. Tree attaining 
a height of 40-80 feet, and a diameter of 3-5 feet, being 
the largest of the mulberries ; trunk stout and short ; 
branches stout, spreading, comparatively few, forming 
a round-headed top ; bark fissured into long plates, 
dark reddish-brown. Leaves thin or membranous, large, 
various in shape, singly or doubly toothed, those on 



RED MULBERRY 



JOHNSON 



353 




319. 

Red Mulberry. 

{XV2) 



young shoots deeply lobed, the upper surface rough, 
yellowish-green, the lower surface more or less pubescent, 
with yellowish veins. Staminate flowers in much larger 
catkins than in other species, 2 inches in length ; pistil- 
late catkins half as long. Fruit 1-1^ inches long, 
cylindric, bright red, becoming nearly black, variable 
in size and color, sweet or pleasantly piquant, sometimes 
very good ; season July to September in central New 
York. 

The red mulberry is a rather widely scat- 
tered plant from western New England and 
Long Island through Canada to the Black 
Hills in North Dakota, 
and southward to Florida 
and southern Texas. It 
prefers deep, rich, well- 
watered soils, and is usu- 
ally found in the bottom- 
lands of streams, where the 
trees attain a size of first 
magnitude as forest plants. 
Nurserymen in the North 
find that the young trees 
are tender to cold, becom- 
ing hardier with age. 

The fruit is often rated 
by botanists as valuable 
only for poultry and swine, 
and doubtless it is not held 
in high esteem in this 
country, where other fruits 
are abundant ; nevertheless, 
there are already several 
well-known varieties which 
yield a product quite equal 
in size and quality to that 
of the best varieties of the black mulberry, a 
fruit much prized in the Old World. The red 
mulberry is well worthy of a place on large 
grounds as an ornamental. It is planted occa- 
sionally near fruit plantations with the hope 
of keeping the pestiferous robin from destroy- 
ing more valuable fruits — usually a vain hope. 
Two other American mulberries are worthy 
of brief mention. Var. lonunlosa is a pubes- 
cent-leaved type which has given rise to a 
horticultiu'al \'ariety in Texas, the Lampasas. 
The Mexican mulberry, R. cdtidijoUa, H.B.K., 
with its habitat from north Texas, New 
Mexico, and Arizona through Mexico and 
Central America to Peru, is sometimes planted 
in the territorj' in which it grows wild as a 
fruit-tree. It is, however, according to the 
botanists who have described it, inferior to 
either the red or the black mulberry. 

VARIETIES OF MULBERRIES 

American fruit-books describe thirteen va- 
rieties of mulberries, of which brief descrip- 
tions are given herewith. The descriptions are 
all compiled, the data being so scant and 
fragmentary that the compilations are far from 
satisfactoiy. Seedlings under cultivation and 
wild plants, from seeds distributed by birds, 
are found in regions where the mulberries 
thrive. 

BLACK MULBERRY OF SPAIN. M. 

nigra. Noir oj Spam. Under the two names 



given, this mulberry is offered by nurserymen 
in the Pacific states. It is described in the 
catalogs as an everbearing mulberrj- of large 
size, the berry resembling the Lawton black- 
berry in shape and appearance. The fruits 
are black, with the piquancy of blackberries 
rather than the insipid sweetness of most mul- 
berries. The tree is vigorous, a profuse bearer, 
hardy in the far West, and with drooping, 
almost weeping, branches. In California and 
Oregon it is considered the best of the mul- 
berries for its fruit. The variety was probably 
introduced from the Old World by Felix Gillet, 
Nevada City, California, thirty or more years 
ago. 

DOWNING. Fig. Z20. M. multicaulis. 
Downing's Everbearing. This variety is sup- 
posed to be the sole representative of M. 
mullicaulis, trees of which num- 
bered a million or more in the 
United States less than a century 
ago. Downing is now little known ; 
the variety offered by nurserymen 
under this name is usually New 
American. The true Downing is 
tender to cold, and, if now to be 
found at all, must be looked for 
in the South. It originated with 
Charles Downing, Newburgh, New 
York, about 1S46. The fruit is but 
briefly characterized in the old 
catalogs as "large, black, subacid, 
very good." It was of this variety 
that Henry Ward Beecher wrote: 
"I regard it as an indispensable 
addition to every fruit-garden; 
and I speak what I think when I say that I 
had rather have one tree of Downing's Ever- 
bearing Mulberries than a bed of strawberries." 

HICKS. M. rubra. Hicks Everbearing. 
Although one of the oldest named mulberries. 
Hicks is still offered by nurserymen as one of 
the best. It seems to have been grown in the 
South since 1850, and probably originated in 
Georgia some years before that date. The 
tree is described as very vigorous and a most 
abundant bearer. The fruit is medium to 
large, very sweet and somewhat insipid. Wliile 
grown for human consumption, the produce is 
valued in the South, where, only, the variety 
is largely planted, for fattening swine and for 
poultry. Its season extends over three or four 
months. 

JOHNSON. M. rubra. It is doubtful 
whether Johnson can now be purchased from 
nurserymen, although no doubt old trees of it 
can be found in many parts of the South, It 
is described by Downing in 1872 as follows: 
"A seedling from Ohio. Fruit very large, 
oblong-cylindric; blackish color, subacid, and 
of a mild agreeable flavor. Growth of the 
wood strong and irregular. Leaves uncom- 
monly large." The fruit seems to have been 
about the largest produced by any named mul- 
berry, but was borne sparingly. The variety 




354 



LAMPASAS 



PAPAW 



originated in Ohio at some time previous to 
1845. 

LAMPASAS. M. alba tomentosa. Lam- 
pasas may be dismissed with the statement 
that it is now listed by but one nurseryman 
in Texas, who condemns it with faint praise. 
The tree is described as of a spreading shrub- 
like growth. The fruit is reported to be of 
fair size and of very good quality. The va- 
riety seems to be passing out because of ten- 
derness to cold, winter-killmg in Texas, only 
200 miles from its place of origin. Lampasas 
was found wild in the county of the same 
name in Texas, and was introduced by T. V. 
Munson, Denison, Texas, about 1889. 

MERRITT. M. alba. In Florida, where 
mulberries are grown chiefly for swine and 
poultry, Merritt is recommended as the 
earliest variety, its crop beginning to ripen in 
April and continuing for eight to ten weeks. 
The tree is described as very vigorous, pro- 
ductive, and as coming in bearing at an early 
age. The fruits are large and of good flavor. 
The variety has been listed by a few nursery- 
men in the southeastern United States for a 
few years, but where and when it originated, 
it is now impossible to ascertain. 

MUNSON. M. alba. One of the newest 
mulberries is Munson, which originated with 
T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, about 1900, 
presumably from M. alba. It is described as 
follows: "One of the largest, most prolific, and 
best mulberries of the Russian class. The 
branches and fruit look like ropes of big ber- 
ries. It is earlier than Hicks." 

NEW AMERICAN. Fig. 321. M. alba. 
This is the best if not the only variety grown 
for its fruit in the North, often being offered 
as Downing. The trees are strong, 
vigorous, and very productive. 
The fruits are large, one to two 
inches long, black, glossy, sweet 
but not insipid; they begin ripen- 
ing in July in central New York 
and continue through September. 
Bailej' says it is undoubtedly a 
chance seedling of one of the old 
silkworm mulberries, M. alba. 
Two other varieties, Trowbridge 
and Thorburn, are mentioned as 
almost indistinguishable from New 
321. New American; these are no longer 
American found in nurserymen's catalogs. 
Mulberry. New American was brought to 
(Xy2) notice about 1854 by N. H. Lind- 
ley, Bridgeport, Connecticut. 

PERSIAN. M. nigra. Without further de- 
scription than to say it is one of the best of 
the European mulberries, Persian is offered by 
several nurserymen in the Pacific states. 
Probably the Black Persian catalogued by 
nurserymen in the South some years ago was 
the same. The tree is described as vigorous 




and productive, but slow of gro^vth. The 
fruits are black, one and one-fourth inches 
long, aromatic, with subacid flavor. It has 
been mentioned in American fruit literature 
for at least fifty years. 

RUSSIAN. 71/. alba. Nearly all dealers in 
trees offer the Russian mulberry as a fruit- 
plant, but it is doubtful whether the common 
tj'pe is of value for its fruit for any other pur- 
pose than feeding swine and poultry. The tree 
is spreading, drooping, hardy, very productive, 
and ripens its crop over a long season. The 
fruit is of medium size, purplish-black to 
creamy-white, insipid. At least two named 
sorts, both from Texas, have been offered, 
Ramsey White and Victoria. As -ate as 1910 
both were found in catalogs, but both seem 
now to have been discarded. Old trees might 
be looked for in Texas and neighboring states. 

STUBBS. M. rubra. The red mulberry 
has still another variety in Stubbs, a compara- 
tive newcomer, which, as .yet, is offered by 
only a few nurserymen in the South. The tree 
is described as very vigorous and the most 
productive of all mulberries. The berries are 
very large, nearly two inches long and more 
than a half-inch thick, deep black, with a rich, 
subacid, vinous flavor. The original tree was 
found in Laurens County, Georgia, by John 
M. Stubbs, about 1875. 

TOWNSEND. M. rubra. This is a com- 
paratively new variety, much esteemed in the 
South for extreme earliness, ripening its fruit 
in March and April. No doubt it is an off- 
spring of M. rubra. The tree is large, vigorous, 
and very productive. The fruits are of but 
medium size and flavor; the introducer recom- 
mends it especially as a fruit to toll birds 
from other fruits. The variety was found at 
Glen Saint Mary, Florida, about 1900, and was 
soon after introduced by Glen Saint Mary 
Nurseries. 

TRAVIS. M. rubra. This is a compara- 
tively new variety from Travis County, Texas, 
which is recommended highly for its native 
state. Presumably, it is an off.spring of M. 
rubra. The tree is described as very large, 
vigorous, luxuriant in foliage, compact, and as 
bearing over a long season very profusely. 
The fruit is rated as the best of all mulberries 
for human food — very large and sweet. The 
variety was introduced about 1900 by the 
Austin Nursery, Austin, Texas. 

PAPAW 

The papaw, Asimina triloba, Dun., is a 
member of the custard-apple family (Annon- 
acea>), widely distributed in the tropics, but 
having few representatives in the temperate 
zones. From this family come a large number 
of tropical fruits useful in medicine, as spices, 
and as dessert fruits; among the last are the 



PAPAW 



THE ELDER 



355 



soursop, sweetsop, and the custard-apple, all 
luscious dessert fruits in tropical countries. 
The generic name of the papaw, Asimina, is 
said to come from assiminicr, an Indian ap- 
pellation. The common name comes from the 
fancied resemblance of the fruit to that of 
the tropical papaw, Carica Papaya, an unfor- 
tunate christening, for there is little similarity 
between the two, and the plants belong to 
widely different families. Besides the hardy 
species here considered, there is a subtropical 
shrubby papaw, A. grandiflora, growing in 
Florida, which is said to produce very delicious 
fruit. The chief botanical characters of the 
papaw are as fpHows: 

AKimhta triloba. Dun. Plant a small tree or tall 
shrub attaining a height of 30-40 feet, with smooth, 
brownish bark, blotched with gray-brown. Leaves al- 
ternate, deciduous, entire, obovate-lanceolate, 8-12 inches 
long, sharply pointed, with a wedge-shaped base, smooth 
or nearly so. Flowers axillary, solitary or few, short- 
stalked, nearly 2 inches across ; sepals 3, smaller than 
the petals, deciduous ; petals 6, in 2 series, the 3 outer 
ones larger, at first green, becoming purple; stamens 
numerous, with short filaments : pistils several, borne 
on the top of a globose receptacle. Fi-uit a large berry, 
3-5 inches long, half as thick, oblong-cylindric, yellow 
or white when ripe in the autumn ; seeds 1 inch long, 
^ inch broad, ovate,'inibedded in the pulp. 

The papaw is an inhabitant of eastern 
America, from New Jersey westward through 
southwestern New York, southern Ontario, 
and southern Michigan to Kansas, and south- 
ward to Te.xas and Florida. It is rare in the 
East, but very common in the Mississippi 
Valley, often forming dense thickets on rich 
river-bottom lands. In the wild, the plants 
are very conspicuous for their large leaves and 
handsome flowers and fruits. 

'The papaw seems to have 'been an important 
food resource with the aborigines, but the early 
settlers were of two minds in regard to it. 
Some praised it extravagantly; others, con- 
demned it as a product to be eaten only in 
case of dire necessity. All agree that it is a 
nutritive food. The leaves when bruised have 
a rank odor, and the aromatic odor of the 
fruit is disagreeable to many. The pulp, which 
resembles custard somewhat in color and con- 
sistency, in well-ripened fruits is very rich, 
and, until a taste is acquired for it, quite too 
rich for the palates of most persons. The large 
seeds make the papaw unpleasant to eat as a 
dessert fruit. Nevertheless, the papaw ia 
found as a- market fruit in towns and cities 
about which it grows abundantly, and seems to 
be prized by those who have long known it. 
At one time, nurserymen offered one or two 
named varieties for their fruits and as orna- 
mentals, but these seem to have disappeared. 
As long as the wild supply continues abundant, 
it is doubtful whether great interest can be 
awakened in the domestication of the papaw. 

A fully grown papaw is green with a heavy 
bloom. The flesh is greenish-white, being al- 
most white at the center, and at this time has 
a rnost offensive, fetid odor and taste. As the 
fruit matures, the skin becomes brownish- 
black, the flesh changes to yellow or creamy 
white, the hard flesh becomes soft, succulent, 



rich, sweet, and to some tastes delicious. The 
seeds in ripened fruits separate easily from 
the soft pulp. The delicacy of flavor is 
heightened by light frosts. A ripened papaw 
is too soft for distant shipment. There seem 
to be two natural varieties of papaw. In one, 
the flesh of the fruit is creamy white; in the 
other, yellow. There are no differences in the 
trees. The yellow-fleshed papaw is the edible 
one; the white-fleshed one retains the fetid 
odor until decay. The papaw is a dessert-fruit, 
having small value for culinary preparations. 

THE ELDER 

Several species of elder furnish edible ber- 
ries in considerable quantities from wild 
plants, and are sometimes found under culti- 
vation where other fruits fail, or to supplement 
the garden supply of other berries. The elder 
belongs to the genus Sambucus, a member of 
the honeysuckle or Caprifoliaceae family; the 
only other genus which furnishes edible fruit 
is the Viburnum, one of whose species is the 
tree-cranberry. There are some twenty or 
more species of elders, rather widely dis- 
tributed in the North Temperate Zone en- 
circling the earth ; three or four produce ber- 
ries which are put to various culinary uses; 
the fruits of none are adapted for dessert pur- 
poses. While the plants of all elders are 
rather coarse, the species producing esculent 
berries are ornamental in leaf, blossom, and 
fruit, and are often made to sei-ve esthetic as 
well as utilitarian purposes. The prominent 
botanical characters of the genus are: 

Sambucvs. Coarse shrubs or small trees with thick 
pithy branches and a rank smell when bruised. Leaves 
deciduous, opposite, odd-pinnate, serrate-pointed leaflets, 
with or witliout stipules. Flowers small, white, perfect, 
borne in broad compound cymes ; calvx-lobes minute • 
corolla open-urn-shaped, with a spreading 6-cIeft limb ; 
stamens 5; ovary inferior; styles sliort, 3-lobed. Fruit 
a berry-hke, black-purple juicy drupe containing 3-5 
small seed-like nutlets ; the edible berries borne in great 
profusion in early autumn. The three species which 
offer greatest horticultural possibilities and which are 
now occasionally cultivated are ; 

1. Sambucus nigra, Linn. European Elder. Shrub 
or small tree with deeply furrowed bark ; branches gray, 
with numerous large lenticels. Leaflets dark green, at 
first pubescent but becoming smooth, usually 5, elliptic, 
acute, 2-6 inches long. Flowers in 5-divided cymes, 5 
inches across. Berry black and lustrous, round, Vt'-Vs 
inch m diameter. There are many natural and hor- 
ticultural varieties of the species, the habitat of which 
IS temperate Europe and West Asia. It is grown in its 
various forms rather commonly as an ornamental. 

2. Sambucus canadensis, Linn. American Elder. The 
American elder is often confused with the European 
elder, tlie two being easily distinguished, however. The 
native species is a shrub, seldom a tree ; the wood is 
not so hard, often being semi-herbaceous ; the wood is 
paler in color, with fewer and smaller lenticels ; the 
plant is more stoloniferous. The leaflets are usually 7, 
instead of the usual 5 in the exotic, smaller and more 
pubescent on the veins beneath. The compound cymes 
are much broader across, often attaining a spread of 
10-14 inches. The purple-black fr.<its are larger, sweeter, 
richer, better flavored, and more aliundantly borne 
than those of the foreign elde?. The European elder 
is, possibly, the better ornamental ; the American species 
offers most to the pomologist. Sambucus canadensU 
ranges from Nova Scotia and Florida westward almost 
or quite to the Rocky Mountains. There are several 
most interesting natural and horticultural varieties. 

3. Sambucus cterutea, Raf. Western Elder. This 
species is very similar to the eastern American elder. 



356 



THE ELDER 



THE HIGH-BUSH CRANBERRY 



differing chiefly in being a much larger plant ; leaflets 
5-7 which are more coarsely serrate, the lower ones 
often 3-parted. The flowers are in smaller cymes, 4-6 
inches across, yellowish-white. The fruits are larger, 
the bluish-black color heightened by thick bloom, with 
a distinct flavor. 

This species rnadily hybridizes with S. 
canadensis on the grounds of the New York 
Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, 
New York, but the resulting plants have not 
fruited. The western elder is an inhabitant 
of the far West from British Columbia to 
California, ard eastward into the Rocky 
Mountains or almost to the territory of the 
ea.^itern forms. 

Elderberries are used for making wine, col- 
oring wmes or other fruits, and for pies and 
sauces. The flowers are fried in batter and 
eaten, and are also used for flavoring. The 
demand is not great, yet elderberries are rather 
commonly found on fruit-markets in Europe, 
and are not uncommon in American markets. 
The abundance of the wild crop, in parts of 
the world where the elder grows, obviates the 
necessity of cultivation ; and the ben'ies can 
be grown only for local markets, standing ship- 
ment but poorly. The elder has many quali- 
ties to recommend it for a cultivated plant; it 
thrives in a great diversity of soils and cli- 
mates; the plants are comparatively free from 
fungi and insects; the plants are easily man- 
aged under cultivation; propagation is of the 
easiest, reproduction being effected readily by 
seeds or hard- or green-wood cuttings. Lastly, 
from the attempts to domesticate the elder, 
to be briefly discussed in the next paragraph, 
it would seem at least that the American elder 
is most plastic, and capable of rapid improve- 
ment. 

That the elder is capable of improvement by 
selection and cultivation is shown by the be- 
havior of several races brought under orchard 
management in widely different parts of the 
country. The selected plants differ from the 
wild ones in habit of growth, in size of leaf, in 
productiveness ; the berries are larger and better 
flavored, and the bunches are larger. Horticul- 
tural literature contains records of at least 
four such improved elders. An improved 
elder was described in 1894 from Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa, called the Improved Elderberry; Frank 
Ford & Son, Bremen, Ohio, offered an im- 
proved elderberrj' in 1890; D. Brant, also of 
Bremen, Ohio, introduced an elder in 1891 
imder the name Brainerd; more recently, Wm. 
W. Adams, Union Springs, New York, has 
introduced an improved elder. 

Four seedlings from Mr. Adams are growing 
on the grounds of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station. They are quite distinct, 
each deserving a varietal name, and all are 
truly remarkable elders. The berries on some 
clusters will average one-third of an inch in 
diameter. A peculiarity of the plants on the 
Station ground is that the plants are much 
larger than those of the wild elder and tend 
to take the tree or single-stem form. Should 
it prove desirable to do so, these elders could 
be grown as small trees. 



THE HIGH-BUSH CRANBERRY 

Several species of the large genus Viburnum 
furnish substitutes for cranberries. The best 
known of these is V. Oputus, variously called 
in Europe and America. The fruits are es- 
teemed for sauces in both continents^ although 
the species is better known as an ornamental, 
and is not often listed by nurserymen as a 
fruit-plant. No named varieties have been 
recorded in the past, but something is now 
being done towards its improvement by intro- 
ducing variations from the wild and making 
further selections under cultivation. This 
work has now gone far enough to make it cer- 
tain that the cranberry-tree is to become the 
parent of a race of domesticated plants. 

Viburnum belongs to the honeysuckle or 
Caprifoliacea> family, and is very similar in 
generic characters to Sambucus. It is suffi- 
cient to distinguish the two genera to say that 
the leaves of Sambucus are pinnate, the fruits 
berry-like, containing three small seed-like 
nutlets; while the leaves of Viburnum are 
simple, and the fruit is a one-celled, one- 
seeded drupe with a compressed stone. 




322. High-bush cranberry. (X%) 



Viburnum OputuSf Linn. Fig. 322. Tree Cranberry. 
High-bush Cranberry. Snowball. Guelder Rose. Whit- 
ten. Pimbina. Shrub attaining a height of 8-14 feet, 
smooth, erect, light gray. Leaves opposite, simple, 
palmately veined, broadly ovate, 3-lobed, wedge-shaped 
at the base, lobes pointed, coarsely dentate-serrate, 
pubescent beneath, 2-4 inches long ; petioles bearing 2 
glands at the apex. Flowers \thite, in cymes, 3-4 inches 
across, the marginal flowers neutral with enlarged flat 
corollas. Fruit a bright red drupe, globose, acid ; stone 
flat, orbicular. 

The typical form is a native of temperate 
Europe and west Asia, but var. amcricanum, 
(Mill.) Ait., placed by some botanists in a 
distinct species, V. americanum, Mill., is found 
in North America from New Brunswick to 
British Columbia and southward to New Jer- 
sey and Oregon. There are at least two other 
varieties; the best known is the sterile snow- 
ball, in which the whole cyme is turned into 
showy flowers; another variety has yellow 
fiiiits, and another variegated leaves. 

The fruit of the European cranberry-tree is 
a poor substitute for the cranberry, being very 
sour and astringent, and having large, hard 
seeds, which make up the greater part of the 



THE BUFFALO-BERRY 



THE BUFFALO-BERRY 



fruit. This is the form usually sold by nur- 
serymen. The fruit of the American type is 
hardly better than that of the European as 
usually found, but the plant seems to be more 
variable; occasionally plants are foimd bearing 
fruits of pleasant acid taste, which are very 
agreeable substitutes for the cranberry. Tak- 
ing advantage of this fact, A. E. Morgan, 
Dayton, Ohio, has spent some years in de- 
veloping varieties suitable for garden culture. 

Plants of six of Morgan's named varieties 
and many of his unnamed seedlings are now 
growing on the grounds of the New York Agri- 
cultural Expenment Station, Geneva, New 
York, in charge of the author. These are just 
coming into fruit, and their merits cannot as 
yet be passed upon with certainty, but the 
behavior of the various plants shows clearly 
that the groups are distinct and that in them 
we have a newly domesticated fruit of much 
value. The product is as palatable as that of 
the true cranberry, although hardly as pleas- 
ant eating, because of the seeds. The fruits 
are as attractive in appearance as those of the 
cranberry, will probablj' keep as long, and will 
certainly ship as well. The plants are hardier, 
as the originals came from the cold northern 
plains of Canada; they are probably freer 
from insects and fungi ; whether more or less 
productive on equal areas of ground remains 
to be seen, but certainly they can be gro%vn 
more cheaply, since the cost of establishing 
a plantation is far less; and, probably, they 
can be grown in many of the northern states, 
whereas the true cranberry grows in very re- 
stricted areas in a few states. 

From what has already been done, it can be 
seen that the cranberry-tree responds quickly 
to the plant-breeder. Fruits and plants have 
many merits to recommend them, which is 
sufficient reason to continue their improve- 
ment; but perhaps a stronger reason is that a 
fruit of this type is needed to supplement the 
common cranberry. Another small-fruit for 
winter consumption as a fresh fruit could 
hardly fail to attract attention from consum- 
ers. Also, the late season of ripening; the 
difference in cultural operations; its probable 
occupation of land not suited to other small- 
fruits; and the possibility of its use as a hand- 
some ornamental, all commend it as a desir- 
able addition to the pomological flora of the 
country. 

THE BUFFALO-BERRT 

The buffalo-berry is cultivated somewhat in 
the colder parts of the Great Plains as a sub- 
stitute for the currant. It is doubtful whether 
its merits are sufficient to give it a place in 
regions other than those where currants and 
gooseberries cannot withstand dry or cold 
climates. It is one of several fruits belonging 
to the oleaster or Elaeagnaceae family, the only 
other hardy fruit worth present notice being the 
goumi. The buifalo-beri-y belongs to the genus 
Shepherdia, which may be briefly characterized 
as follows: 



Shepherdia. Shrubs or small tree with scurfy scales. 
Leaves opposite, entire, deciduous, petiolate, oblong, 
silvery-scurfy. Flowers dicEcious, small, nearly sessile 
in their axils on the branches ; sterile ones clustered, 
but the fertile flowers solitary or in 2's ; sterile flowers 
with a 4-parted calyx and 8 stamens alternating with 
8 processes of the thick disk ; fertile flowers with an 
urn-shaped 4-cleft calyx, a slender style and a 1-sided 
stigma. Fruit drupe-like, the fleshy calyx enclosing a 
nut or achene. The two American species hear edible 
fruits, but only that of one is worthy cultivation, this 
now to be described. 

Sheperdia argenlea, Nutt. Fig. 323. Buffalo-Berry. 
Rabbit-Berry. Nebraska Currant. Shrub erect, very 
thorny, attaining a height of 18 feet, the young 
growth covered with white tomentum. Leaves oblong 
or oblong-wedge shaped, silvery on both sides. Flowers 
small, yellowish, in dense fascicles at the nodes. Fruit 
round or ovoid, the size of a large currant, red or 
yellow, acid but pleasantly flavored. 




323. Buffalo-berry. (Xy2) 

The buffalo-berry is one of the hardiest wild 
fruits, being found as far north as Manitoba 
and Saskatchewan and westward, thence south- 
ward to Colorado and Utah as far as the 
mountains of New Mexico. Indians and pio- 
neers have long used the berries to enliven the 
scant fare of fruits. Their use as a sauce with 
buffalo-meat suggested the name. The species 
has been more or less cultivated, according to 
numerous accoimts in horticultural literature, 
for nearly a century, but now finds favor only 
in localities where other fruits cannot be 
grown. 

Once in hand, the fruits have much merit, 
but the crop is hard to obtain. Sprouts taken 
from wild thickets do not behave well in the 
garden, requiring a transitional period of a 
year or two in the nursery-row. Seeds must 
be stratified for winter-keeping and planted 
in nursery-rows to receive care for two or 
three years, before the plants are ready for 
the garden. Cuttings treated as those of the 
currant seem to grow readily. While not more 
difficult to grow than other bush-fruits, the 
crop is not easily harvested, because of the 
thorny plants and the small berries. More- 
over, as the plants are dicecious, it is necessary 
to grow staminate and pistillate plants in 
proximity, but in what proportion has not yet 
been determined. In purchasing plants in 
small numbers, very often but one sex is ob- 
tained. Because of these difficulties, attempts 
to introduce the buffalo-berry as a garden 
plant have met with but indifferent success. 
They are not uncommon, however, as orna- 
mental plants, and on the plains of the slopes 



358 



THE GOUMI 



THE BARBERRY 



of the Rocky Mountains, wild plants supply an 
agreeable, refreshing fruit to thousands. The 
buffalo-berry is an excellent hedge plant. 

The fruits vary greatly in season, size, qual- 
ity, and may be either red or yellow, their 
plasticity in the wild indicating a possibility 
of improvements in the hands of 
man. In the wild, the bushes are 
loaded, making it appear that the 
crop would be prodigious, but the 
small size keeps the yield low; 
and, under cultivation, the plants 
are not so loaded. Very good 
sauces, jellies, and conserves are 
made from buffalo-berries, and, as 
the writer has found on the plains 
of Utah, after the fruit has been 
touched with frost, which alleviates 
the austerity, the berries are pleas- 
ant to eat out of hand. The crop 
may be harvested in late fall, or 
even in winter, if spared by birds. 
The berries retain their sprightly 
flavor when dried, the cured fruits being a 
favorite fruit of the western Indians. 

Attempts to cultivate the buffalo-berry are 
by no means new. Oakes, Fuller, Green, 
Crozier, Card, Corbett, Hoskins, and Hansen, 
all men prominent in horticulture in America, 
have tried to popularize this fruit by word 
or deed without pronounced success. N. E. 
Hansen of the South Dakota Experiment Sta- 
tion, Brookings, South Dakota, at one time 
had as many as 7500 seedlings under observa- 
tion, yet even with this attempt on a large 
scale, it cannot be said that the buffalo-berry 
has been placed among domesticated fruits. 

THE GOUMI 

Closely related to the buffalo-berry in the 
oleaster family is the goumi, belonging to the 
genus Elaeagnus. Shepherdia has dioecious 
flowers, eight stamens, and opposite leaves; 
whereas Elaeagnus has perfect flowers, four 
stamens, and alternate leaves; these being the 
only noteworthy differences. There are some 
forty or more species of Elaeagnus, of which 
but one, now to be described, is noteworthy 
for the fruits. 

Elceagnus multiflora, Thunb. Fig. 324. Goumi. 
A low, bushy shrub with grayish or reddish-brown 
branchlets. Leaves elliptic, ovate or obovate-oblong, 
green above, silvery beneath, with stellate hairs above, 
becoming glabrous, and sprinkled with dark-brown scales 
beneath, l-'Z^ inches long. Flowers small, fragrant, 
yellow within, silvery and scurfy on the outside ; usually 
solitary in the axils. Fruit oblong or oval, blunt or 
flattened at the ends, %-% inch long, orange colored or 
reddish, with silvery white dots; pedicels much longer 
than the fruits ; at first very astringent but becoming 
agreeably acid with maturity. 

The goumi grows wild in China and Japan, 
where the fruits are in use for various culinary 
preparations. It is a comparatively new fruit 
in America. Ellwanger & Barn,-, Rochester, 
New York, introduced it about 1889, since 
which time it has been offered by nurserymen 
chiefly as an ornamental. 

The plant is hardy in eastern United States, 



and not more difficult to propagate and man- 
age in the garden than other bush-fruits. 
Propagation is by cuttings or seed. The fruits 
ripen in midsummer, are most attractive in 
appearance, and are borne in great profusion. 
While too acid for dessert, the product is 




324. Goumi. (XVa) 

adapted to all culinary preparations for which 
the cranberry is used. There are no garden 
varieties offered as yet, but no doubt selection 
could be made where the culture of the plant 
is desirable. Should the goumi prove adapted 
to the dry or cold regions of the Great Plains, 
it might make a more desirable fruit than the 
smaller-fruited buffalo-berry. Wherever it 
thrives, it is well worth growing as an orna- 
mental. 

THE BARBERRY 

Berberis, a genus of about 175 species in the 
temperate zones of five continents, is rich in 
potentialities for pomology, as many wild bar- 
berries furnish edible fruits, while some half 
dozen species are more or less cultivated in 
different parts of the world. The genus be- 
longs to the barberr\' or Berberidaces family, 
of which it is the type; there are no other 
noteworthy genera, although the closely re- 
lated Mahonia furnishes two or three orna- 
mental species, the fruits of which are edible; 
and the quite distinct Podophyllum is the 
mandrake or may-apple of eastern woods. The 
genus has several very distinctive characters, 
which make its species easily recognizable. 

Berberis. Spiny shrubs with yellow wood and inner 
bark. Leaves alternate, deciduous or evergreen, simple. 
Flowers borne in racemes, fascicles or solitary, usually 
yellow ; sepals 6, roundish, with 2-6 bractlets outside ; 
petals 6. obovate, concave, usually smaller than the 
sepals, with 2 glandular spots above the claw ; stamens 
6, irritable ; stigma circular, depressed ; ovary superior. 
Fruit a berry, with 1-several oblong seeds. 

Of the many barberries, at least the follow- 
ing are recorded as furnishing fruit to be found 
in the markets of the world from wild or cul- 
tivated plants: B. angulosa, Wall., is a rare 
Himalayan species with large fruits; the Pepal 
barberry, B. aristata, DC, produces purple 
fruits which in India are dried in the sun as 
raisins and u.sed as dessert; the fruit of the 
Asiatic barberry, B. asiatica, Roxb., is said to 
make the finest of raisins in India, and is 



THE BARBERRY 



THE BARBERRY 



359 



sometimes found on English tables from Eng- 
lish gardens; the Magellan barberry, B. buxi- 
jolia, Lam., is an evergreen shnib from the 
Straits of Magellan, yielding large, black, well- 
flavored fruits in South America and England; 
at one time it was sold by nurserymen in the 
United States imder the name Black Sweet 
Magellan; Darwin's barberry, B. Darwinii, 
Hook., from Chile, is grown as an ornamental 
in England, where the bernes are said to be 
eagerly eaten by children; most grown of all, 
however, is B. vulgaris, Linn., the common 
barberry, which must be described and dis- 
cussed at greater length. 

Berberis vvlgaris, Linn. Fig. 325. Common Bar- 
berry. A spiny, upright shrub attaining a height of 
12-14 feet, with gray, grooved, arching branches. 
Leaves obovate or spatulate, bristle-toothed, 1-2 inches 
long, grayish-green beneath. Flowers many, in drooping 
racemes. Fruit oblong-ovoid, scarlet or becoming pur- 
ple, acid but agreeably flavored and suitable for culinary 
preparations. The species is exceedingly variable, and 
there are many botanical and horticultural varieties, 
most interesting of which to pomologists are seedless 
sorts, one with yellow fruits and anotlier with black or 
purplish-blue fruits. 




325. Common barberry. (XVa) 

The common barberry is a native of temper- 
ate Europe and Asia, but, early introduced in 
America, it is now thoroughly wild in many and 
scattered localities in North America. The 
plant is now considered a dangerous pest as a 
host of one stage of wheat-rust, and the laws 
of several states compel its destruction whether 
found as a wild or a cultivated plant. 

The barberry has been cultivated as an 
ornamental and hedge plant for centuries, 
possibly since Christ's time, as Pliny in the 
first century describes a plant thought to be 
this. Yet it has ever been but a supplemen- 
tary fruit, never attaining great popularity; 



never giving origin to varieties grown exclu- 
sively for fruit; and long under suspicion as 
a dangerous harborer of wheat-rust. It is 
certain, also, that the barberry is declining in 
favor; it has been much more popular in 
England or America at any past time in the 
last three centuries than it is now. It is, how- 
ever, a species well worthy attention for its 
fruits. No doubt strains of it or hybrids with 
other species could be selected immune to 
wheat-rust and with larger and less acid fruits; 
if so, the hardiness, vigor, and productiveness 
of the plants, and the handsome, refreshing 
fruits commend it to add variety to any fruit- 
garden. An enumeration of the uses to which 
the fruits of various species of barberries are 
put in different countries may further its 
claims to attention on the part of fruit-growers. 

Barberries are most commonly used for 
sauces, tarts, and pies, but are often preserved 
in sugar or sirup as comfits; a celebrated pre- 
serve is made in Rouen, France, from a seed- 
less variety. In India the fruit is so commonly 
cured as a raisin that barberry raisins are an 
article of commerce and export. In northern 
Europe, barberries are a substitute for lemon- 
juice for making cooling drinks and flavoring 
ices, sherberts, and punches. Pickled in vinegar 
while green, the berries are an excellent sub- 
stitute for capers. Besides these uses, the old 
herbalists mention them as most useful in 
garnishing, the bunches being used either fresh 
or preserved. The leaves have much of the 
acid of the berry, and were formerly, and still 
might be, ased for salads and for seasoning. 
The old writers had much to say of the re- 
markable medicinal value of barberries in 
several ills of mankind, but of these virtues 
none would pass with modern physicians; 
unless, perhaps, the claim in many countries 
that the berries are a sovereign remedy for in~ 
flamed throats and tonsils should be admitted. 

The barberry is worth improving. A col- 
lection should be made of the species having 
most merits for their fruits. Presumably, 
many hybrids could be made, as a number of 
ornamental forms originated from hybrids. 
From species and hybrids, there is little ques- 
tion that valuable fruits might in time be se- 
lected to serve new purposes, to supplement 
the present fruit-supply, and to sen-e in regions 
where less hardy and vigorous fruits do not 
thrive. Few genera remain to be domesticated 
which have greater potentialities than Ber- 
beris. 

The genus Mahonia, usually included in 
Berberis, from which it is distinguished by its 
unarmed branches, pinnate leaves, and more 
numerous sepals, offers some possiljilities as 
fruit-producing plants. The fruits of M. Aqui- 
folium, Nutt., the Oregon grape; M. nervosa, 
Nutt., also called the Oregon grape; M. pin- 
nata, Fedde, the blue barberry of the Pacific 
coast; M. Fremontii, Fedde and M. trijoliata, 
Fedde, from southwestern United States are 
native mahonias with some food value, and 
all furnish berries from which refreshing drinks 
and flavoring juices, and wines as well, are 
made from the product of wild plants. 



NOMENCLATURE 



The nomenclature in the Cyclopedia of 
Hardy Fruits follows in the main the Code of 
Fruit Nomenclature of the American Pomo- 
logical Society as revised by a Committee of 
the Society appointed by the President at the 
1921 session m Toledo, Ohio, the Committee 
having been given power to act for the Society. 
It was found impossible, however, to reduce all 
names to this Code, although there are but few 
exceptions. Prevailing usage has most often 
dictated the departures from the Code. 



This code aims to establish a simple and clear system 
of pomological nomenclature tliat shall be appropriate 
and stable. Accordingly it is urged that all persons 
naming new varieties of fruits choose simple one-word 
names that are fittingly expressive of some character, 
quality, place, person, or event associated with the 
source, time or place of origin of the variety. 

The paramount right of the originator, discoverer, or 
introducer of a new variety to name it, within the 
limitations of this code, is recognized and established. 

The term "kind" as herein used shall be understood 
to apply to those general classes of fruits which are 
grouped together in common usage without regard to 
their exact botanical relationship, as apple, cherry, grape, 
peach, plum, raspberry, etc. 

I. FORM OF NAMES 

1. Names of new varieties shall be of one word) 
preferably, but two words may be accepted. Names o( 
existing varieties shall not be clianged in such way as 
to lead to confusion or loss of identity. 

2. The spelling and pronunciation of a variety name 
shall be the same as that of the person, place, substance, 
circumstance, or quality from which it is derived. 

3. A possessive noun shall not be used. 

4. Initials should not be used as a part of a variety 
name. 

5. A name shall not be formed by the compounding 
or hyphenating of two or more existing names, but this 
does not prohibit the formation of a one-word name by 
the use of parts of two or more existing names. The 
hyphen shall not be used between the words of a name. 
Thus, neither Bartlett-Seckel nor Bar Seek may be used, 
but Barseck is admissible. 

6. Such general tenus as seedling, hybrid, beurre, 



fJamson, pippin, rare-ripe, bigarreau, should not be 
use(i. 

7. A variety imported from a foreign country should 
retain its foreign name, subject only to such modification 
as is necessary to conform it to this code, and provided 
that names having a recognized English equivalent may 
be, but are not necessarily so rendered. 

8. The name of a person shall not be applied to a 
variety in his life time without his consent. 

y. The name of a deceased person shall not be applied 
to a variety except through formal action by some 
competent pomological body, preferably that with which 
the deceased was most closely associated. 

U. PRIOKITY, USAGE AND DUPLICATION 

10. The name first published for a variety shall be 
the accepted and recognized name except when contrary 
to the provisions of this code ; but names established by 
usage in American pomological literature may be re- 
tained even though they do not conform to these rules. 

11. A name once used shall not be used again for a 
^■a^iety of the same kind, except that a name once 
established through long usage for two or more Ameri- 
can varieties shall not be displaced for either or 
radically modified only when a well-known synonym 
can be used in its place ; or when no such synonym is 
available, the varieties bearing identical names may be 
distinguished by the addition of the name of the author 
who first described each, or by some other suitable 
distinguishing term. 

111. PUBLICATION AND DESCRIPTION 

12. Publication consists in : (1) The public distribution 
of a printed name and description or characterization of 
the fruit (2) the publication of a new name for a 
variety described elsewhere under a different name, 
number, or other untenable designation the synonym 
being given. 

13. Publication of a name may be made in any book, 
I'uUetin, report, trade catalog or periodical of public 
distribution and bearing date of issue. 

1 4 . But a varietal name may be establ ished by 
current usages in the locality of its origin, when well 
known, and shall be considered as published and have 
precedence over a later printed name for the same 
variety. 

15. Complete description of a variety consists of a 
detailed account of the characteristics of the plant, 
foliage, flowers, fruit, and habit of growth, so as to 
distinguish it from other varieties of similar appearance. 

16. The type of a variety is the fruit of the original 
plant ; and type descriptions or illustrations shall be 
made from material produced by the original plant, or 
when this is not available, from a plant as near as 
possible to the original in asexual reproduction, and 
preferably grown in the same pomological region. 



360 



GLOSSARY 



ABAXILE. Said ot the core of a pome -when the walla 

of the carpel are distant from the axis. 
ABORTION. Imperfect development or non-develop- 
ment of an organ. 
ABRUPT. Suddenly narrowed. 
ACAULESCENT. Htemless or apparently so. 
ACHENE. A hard, dry, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit, 
especially one in which the pericarp very closely 
envelops the seed. 
ACUMINATE. Tapering at the end. 
ACUTE. Terminating with a sharp angle. 
ADAPTATION. The fitness or fitting of any organ or 
organism to perform certain functions or to live in 
certain conditions. 
ADVENTITIOUS. Said ot buds, or of shoots, which 
appear in abnormal or unaccustomed places or 
numbers, rather than at nodes and in definite 
number. 
ADVENTIVE. Imperfectly naturalized. 
iESTIVATION. The arrangement of the parts of the 

periantli in the bud. 
ALTERNATE (of leaves, etc.). Not opposite on the 

axis, but arranged singly at different heights. 
ANNUAL. Of only one year's duration. 
ANNULAR. lu the form of a ring. 
ANTHER. The pollen-bearing part of a stamen. 
APETALOUS. Having no petals. 

APEX. The end of a fruit most distant from the stem. 
APICAL. Pertaining to the apex or top. 
APICOLATE. Ending in a short, pointed tip. 
APPRESSED. Lying close and flat against. 
AREOLE. A small space marked out upon a surface. 
ARTICULATE. Having a node or joint. 
ASCENDING. Rising somewhat obliquely, or curving 

upward. 
ATTENUATE. Slenderly tapering ; becoming very nar- 

AXIL. Angle above the junction of a leaf-blade, 
petiole, peduncle, or pedicel, with the branch or 
stallt from which it springs. 

AXIS. The central line of any organ or support of a 
group of organs. 

BACCATE. Btrry-like ; pulpy throughout. 

BASE. The point of attachment of a fruit. 

BASIN. In pomological writings, the depression in the 

apex of a pome. 
BEAKED. Ending in a prolonged tip. 
BEARDED. Bearing a long awn, or furnished with 

long or stiff hairs. 
BERRY. A fruit, the whole pericarp of which is 

fleshy or pulpy. 
BIENNIAL. Of two years' duration. 
BIFID. Two-cleft. 
BIGENEE, BIGENERIC-HYBRID. A hybrid between 

species of different genera. 
BIGENERIC HALF-BREED. The product of a cross 

between varieties of species of different genera. 
BISEXUAL. Having both stamens and pistils. 
BL.\DE. The expanded portion of a leaf, etc. 
BLOOM. The delicate, white substance on the surface 

of some fruits ; or on the canes or vine and 

bramble-fruits. 
BLUSH. An unbroken red tint on the surface of a 

fruit. 
BRACT. A modified leaf subtending a flower or be- 
longing to an inflorescence. 
BRACTEATE. Having bracts. 

BRACTEOSE. With numerous or conspicuous bracts. 
BRACTLET. A secondary bract, as one upon the pedicel 

of a flower 
BRUSH. The bundle of fibres connecting the pedicel 

with the berry of the grape. 
BUD. The rudimentary state of a stem or branch ; 

an unexpanded flower. 
BULLATE. Blistered or puckered. 

361 



CADUCOUS. Falling oft early. 

CALLOSITY. A hardened thickening. 

CALLUS. A hard protuberance or callosity. 

CALYX. The outer series of the perianth of the flower ; 

the sepals. 
CAMPANULATE. Bell-shaped; cup-shaped with a broad 

base. 
C.\NE. A shoot whicli bears but once, particularly 

one which arises from the crown or root. 
CANESCENT. Hoary with gray pubescence. 
CAPILLARY. Hair-like. 
CARPEL. One of the separable or integral parts of 

a compound pistil. 
CAULINE. Belonging to the stem. 

CAVITY. The depression in the stem-end of a pome. 
CELL. One of the minute vesicles of which plants 

are formed. Any structure containing a cavity, 

as the cells of an anther, ovary, etc. 
CELLUL.VR. Composed of short, transparent, thin- 
walled cells. 
CH.\LAZA. Tlie place where seed-coat and kernel of 

a seed connect. 
CHLOROPHYLL. The green coloring-matter within 

the cells of plants. 
CILIATE. Marginally fringed with hairs. 
CINEREOUS. Ash-color. 
CION. A cutting set into a plant rather than in soil ; 

graft. 
CLO.SE-FERTILIZATION. Self-fertilization. 
COALESCENCE. The union of parts or organs ot the 

same kind. 
COMPOUND. Composed of two or more similar parts 

united into one whole. 
COMPOUND LEAF. One divided into separate leaflets. 
COMPRESSED. Flattened, especially laterally. 
CONDUPLICATE. Folded together lengthwise. 
CONFLUENT. Running into each other. 
CONNIVENT. Coming into contact. 
CONVOLUTE. Rolled up longitudinally. 
CORD.\TE. Heart-shaped, with the point upward. 
CORE. The ovary ot a pome-fruit ; the central part 

of a fruit. 
CORIACEOUS. Leathery in texture. 
COROLLA. The inner perianth, ot distinct or connate 

petals. 
CORONIFORM. Shaped like a crown. 
CORRUG.\TE. \Vrinkled or in folds. 
CORYMB. A flat-topped or convex open flower-cluster. 
CORYMBOSE. In corymbs or corymb-like. 
COTYLEDONS. The foliar portion or first leaves (one, 

two, or more) ot the embryo as found in the seed. 
CRENATE. Dentate, with the teeth much rounded. 
CRENCLATE. Finely crenate. 
CRISTATE. Bearing an elevated appendage resembling 

a crest. 
CROSS. The oltspring ot any two flowers which have 

been cross-fertilized. 
CROSS-BREED. A cross between varieties of the 

same species. 
CROSSING. The operation or practice of cross-pollinat- 
ing. 
CROSS-POLLINATION. Transfer of pollen to pistil of 

another flower. 
CROWN. An outgrowth from the throat of the 

perianth ; corona ; also the top ot a bulb or corm, or 

of an upright roots. ock ; also that portion of a 

plant at the surface of the ground. 
CUNEATE. Wedge-shaped; triangular, with the acute 

angle downward. 
CYME. A usually broad and flattish determinate in- 
florescence, i.e., with its central or terminal flowers 

blooming earliest. 
CY'MOSE. Bearing cymes, or cyme-like. 

DECIDUOUS. Not persistent ; not evergreen. 
DECOMPOUND. More than once compound or divided. 



GLOSSARY 



GLOSSARY 



DECUMBENT (leaf). Extending down the stem 

below the insertion. 
DEFINITE. Of a constant number, not exceeding twenty. 
DEFLEXED. Bent or turned abruptly downward. 
DEHISCENCE. The mode of opening ; applied es- 
pecially to fruits and anthers. 
DEHISCENT. Opening regularly by valves, slits, etc., 

as a capsule or anther. 
DENTATE. Toothed, usually with the teeth directed 

outward. 
DENTICULATE. Minutely dentate. 
DEPRESSED. Somewhat flattened from above. 
DIAPHRAGM. The woody tissue which interrupts 

the pith at the node in a grape-vine. 
DICHOTOMOUS. Forking regularly by pairs. 
DIFFUSE. Widely or loosely spreading. 
DIGITATE. Compound, with the members arising 

togetlier at the apex of the support. 
DICECiOUS. Unisexual, with two kinds of flowere 

on separate plants. 
DISSECTED. Cut or divided into numerous segments. 
DISTINCT. Separate; not united; evident. 
DIVARICATE. Widely divergent. 
DIVIDED. Lobed to the base. 

DOMESTICATION. I'he state or condition of being 
adapted or inured to cultivation, or the act of adapt- 
ing or inuring to cultivation. 
DORSAL. The back or outer surface of an organ. 
DRUPACEOUS. Resembling a drupe. 
DRUPE. A fleshy or pulpy fruit with the inner portion 
of the pericarp (1-celled and 1-seeded, or some- 
times several-celled) hard or stony. 
DRUPELET. A diminutive drupe. 
ECHINATE. Beset -with prickles. 
EFFUSE. Very loosely spreading. 
ELLIPTICAL. Applied to oblong leaves which grad- 
ually taper both ways from the middle. 
EMARGINATE. Having a shallow notch. 
EMASCUL.\T10N. Removal of stamens or anthers. 
EMBRYO. The rudimentarv plantlet within the seed. 
ENDOCARP. The inner layer of a pericarp. 
ENTIRE. Without toothing or division. 
ENVIRONMENT. The sum of the physical conditions 

in whicli an organism lives. 
EPHEMERAL. Lasting for only one day. 
EPICARP. The outer layer of the pericarp or ma- 
tured ovary. 
EPIDERMIS. The superficial layer of cells. 
EXFOLIATING. Cleaving off in thin layers. 
EXOC.\RP. Outer layer of a pericarp. 
EXSERTED. Projecting beyond an envelope, as stamens 

from a corolla. 
EXTRORSE. Facing downward. 
EYE. The calyx of a pome-fruit ; a compound bud 

of a grape. 
FAMILY'. A natural assemblage of plants thrown to- 
gether because of resemblances. 
FARINACEOUS. Containing starch; starch-like. 
FARINOSE. Covered with a meal-like powder. 
FASCICLE. A close bundle or cluster. 
FASCICULATE. In close bundles or clusters. 
FASTIGIATE (branches). Erect and near together. 
FEMALE. Fertile; pistillate. 
FERRUGINOUS. Rust-color. 

FERTILE. Capable of producing fruit ; or productive, 
as a flower having a pistil, or an anther with 
pollen. 
FERTILIZATION. Action of the pollen upon the egg- 
cell of tlie embryo-sac, resulting in the formation 
of the embryo ; impregnation ; fecundation. 
FIBROUS. Composed of or resembling fibers. 
FIBROUS TISSUE. A tissue formed of elongated thick- 
walled cells. 
FILAMENT. The part of a stamen which supports the 

anther ; any thread-like body. 
FILAMENTOUS. Composed of threads. 
FILIFORM. Thread-shaped. 
FIMBRIATE. Fringed. 

FIMBRILLATE. Having a minute fringe. 
FLACCID. Without rigidity. 
FLEXUOUS. Zigzag ; bending alternately in opposite 

directions. 
FLORA. The plants of a region ; also a book treating 

of the plants of a region. 
FLORET. A small flower, usually one of a dense 

cluster. 
FLOBIFEROUS. Flower-bearing. 

FOLIACEOUS. Leaf-like in texture or appearance. 
FOLLICLE. A fruit consisting of a single carpel, 
dehiscing by the ventral suture. 



FOLLICULAR. Like a follicle. 

FORKED. Divided into nearly equal branches. 

FOXINESS. The peculiar smell and taste in some 

grapes. 
FREE. Not adnate to other organs. 
FRUCTIFICATION. The act or organs of fruiting. 
FRUIT. The seed-bearing product of a plant. 
FUGACIOUS. Falling or fading very early. 
FUNICLE. The free stalk of an ovule or seed. 
FUSIFORM. Spindle-shaped; swollen in the middle 

and narrowing toward each end. 

GENUS. A group comprising a greater or less number 

of closely related species. 
GIBBOUS. Protuberant or swollen on one side. 
GLABRATE. Somewhat glabrous, or becoming glabrous. 
GL.\BKOUS. Smooth ; not rough, pubescent or hairy. 
GL-\ND. A. secreting surface or structure. 
GLANDULAR. Bearing glands or of the nature of a 

gland. 
GLAUCOUS. Covered with a bloom. 
GR.\FT. A cutting set into a plant ; cion. 
GRANULOSE. Composed of or appearing as if covered 

by minute grains. 

HABIT. The general appearance of a plant. 
HABITAT. The place in which an organism lives. 
HE.ART-SHAPED. 0\ate with two rounded lobes and a 

slims at the base. 
HERB. A plant with no persistent woody stem above 

ground. 
HERBACEOUS. Having the character of an herb. 
HERM.APHRGDITE. Bisexual. 

HILUM. The scar or point of attachment of the seed. 
HIRSUTE. Pubescent with rather coarse or stiff hairs. 
HIRSUTULOUS. Sliglitly hirsute. 
HIRTELLOUS. Minutely hirsute. 
HISPID. Beset with rigid or bristly hairs or with 

bristles. 
HOARY. Grayish-white with a fine close pubescence. 
HYjU>INE. Transparent or translucent. 
HYBRID. A cross-breed of two species. 
HYBRIDIZATION. The state or condition of being 

hybridized, or the process or act of hybridizing. 
HYBRIDIZING. The operation or practice of crossing 

between species. 
HYPOGYNOUS. Situated on the receptacle beneath 

the ovary and free from it and from the calyx ; 

having the petals and stamens so situated. 

IMBRICATE. Overlapping. 

IMPERFECT. Lacking either gynoecium or andrcecium. 

IMPRESSED. Bent inward as if by pressure. 

INCISED. Cut sharply and irregularly and more or 
less deeply. 

INCLUDED. Not at all protruded from the surround- 
ing envelope. 

INCOMPLETE FLOWER. One from which any of the 
four series is missing. 

INDEFINITE. Inconstant in number or very numer- 
ous. 

INDEHISCENT. Not opening by halves. 

INDIGENOUS. Original to the region. 

INDURATED. Hardened. 

INFERIOR. Lower or below ; outer or anterior. 

INFLATED. Bladdery. 

INFLt)HESCENCE. The flowering part of a plant, 
and especially the mode of its arrangement. 

INSERTED. Attached to or growing out of. 

INSERTION. Method of attachment. 

INTERNODE. The portion of a stem between two 
nodes. 

INTRA.MARGINAL. Within and near the margm. 

INTRdUUCED. Brought intentionally from another 
re^^ion for purposes of cultivation. 

INTRdliSE. Turned inward or toward the axis. 

INVOLUCRE. A circle or collection of bracts sur- 
rounding a flower-cluster or head. 

INVOLUTE. Rolled inward, 

IRREGULAR. Showing inequality in the size, form 
or union of its similar parts. 

LACERATE. Irregularly cleft as if torn. 
L.VCINIATE. Slashed ; cut into narrow pointed lobes. 
LANCEOLATE. Shaped like a lance-head, several times 

longer than wide, broadest above the base and 

narrowed to the apex. 
L.\TENT. Said of a bud which remains dormant. 
LEAFLET. A single division of a compound leaf. 
LENTICULAR. Of the shape of a double-convex lens. 



GLOSSARY 



GLOSSARY 



363 



LINEAE. Long and narrow, with parallel margins. 
LOBE. Any segment of an organ, especially if rounded. 
LOBED. Divided into or bearing lobes. 

MALE. Sterile ; staminate. 

MAMMIFORM. Said of fleshy nipple-like protuberances. 

MEDIAN. Suid of stamens in the middle of the calyx- 
tube. 

MIDRIB. The central or main rib of a leaf. 

MON'tECIOUS. With stamens and pistils in separate 
flowers on the same plant. 

MUCHO. A short and small abrupt tip. 

MUCRONATE. Tipped with a mucro. 

NECTARIFEROUS. Producing nectar. 

NECTARY. Any place or organ where nectar is se- 
creted. 

KERVE. An unbranched vein or slender rib. 

NODE. The place upon a stem which normally bears 
a leaf or whorl of leaves. 

NODOSE. Knotty or knobby. 

NODULOSE. Provided with little knots or knobs. 

NUT. A hard indehiscent 1-celIed and 1-seeded fruit, 
though usually resulting from a compound ovary. 

NUTLET. A diminutive nut. 

OBCOMPRESSED. Compressed dorso-ventrally instead 

of laterally. 
OBCONICALLY. Inversely conical, having the attach- 
ment at the apex. 
OBCORIJATE. Inverted heart-shaped. 
OBLANCEOLATE. Lanceolate with the broadest part 

toward the jpex. 
OBLIQUE. Unequal sided or slanting. 
OBLONG. Longer than broad and with nearly parallel 

sides. 
OBOVATE. Inverted ovate. 

OBOVOID. Having the form of an inverted egg. 
OBSOLETE. Not evident ; rudimentary. 
OBTUSE. Blunt or rounded at the end. 
OPAQUE. Dull ; neither shining nor translucent. 
ORBICULAR. Circular. 
ORGAN. A part of a living body directly associated 

with the vital functioning. 
OVAL. Broadly elliptioil. 
OVARY. The part of the pistil that contains the 

ovules. 
OVATE. Egg-shaped ; having an outline like that 

of an egg, with the broader end downward. 
OVOID. A solid with an oval outline. 
OVULE. The body whicli after fertilization becomes 

the seed. 

PALMATE (leaf). Radiately lobed or divided. 

PALMATELV. In a palmate manner. 

PANICLE. A loose irregularly compound inflorescence 
with pedicellate flowers. 

PANICLED, PANICULATE. Borne in a panicle; re- 
sembling a panicle. 

P.\PILLOSE. Bearing minute nipple-shaped projections. 

PARTED. Cleft nearly but not quite to the base. 

PEDICEL. The support of a single Hower. 

PEDICELLATE. Borne on a pedicel. 

PEDUNCLE. A primary tiower-stalk, supporting either 
a cluster or a solitary flower. 

PEDUNCULATE. Borne upon a peduncle. 

PELLUCID. Clear, transparent. 

PELTATE. Shield-shaped and attached to the support 
by the lower surface. 

PENDULOUS. More or less hanging. 

PERENNIAL. Lasting year after year. 

PERFECT (Hower). Having both pistil and stamens. 

PERFOLIATE (leaf). Having the stem apparently pass- 
ing through it. 

PERIANTH. The floral envelope, consisting of the 
calyx and corolla (when present), whatever their 
form. 

PERICARP. The matured ovary. 

PERIGVNOUS. Adnate to the "perianth, and therefore 
around the ovary and not at its base. 

PERIPHERAL. On or near the margin. 

PERSISTENT. Long-continuous, as a calyx upon the 
fruit, leaves through winter, etc. 

PETAL. A division of the corolla. 

PETALOID. Colored and resembling a petal. 

PETIOLATE. Having a petiole. 

PETIOLE. The footstalk of a leaf. 

PIGMENT. The coloring matter in the skin of a fruit. 

PILOSE. Hairy, especially with soft hairs. 

PINNATE (leaf). Compound, with the leaflets arranged 
on each side of a common petiole. 

PINNATIFID. Pinnately cleft. 



PINNULE. A secondary pinna ; one of the pinnately 
disposed divisions of a pinna. 

PISTIL. The seed-bearing organ of the flower, consist- 
ing of the ovary, stigma, and style when present. 

PISTILLATE. Provided with pistils, and, in its more 
proper sense, without stamens. 

PITTED. Marked with small depressions or pits. 

PLICATE. Folded into plaits, usually lengthwise. 

PLUMULE. The bud or growing point of the embryo. 

POLLEN. The fecundating grains contained in the 
anther. 

POLLINATION. The act or fact of conveying pollen 
from anther to stigma. 

POLLINIFEROUS. Bearing pollen. 

POLYGAMOUS. Hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers 
variously mixed upon the plant. 

POLYPETALOUS. Having separate petals. 

POME. A fleshy fruit of which the apple is a type. 

POSTERIOR. In an axillary flower, on the side near- 
est to the axis of inflorescence. 

PRICKLE. A small spine from the bark or rind. 

PROCUMBENT. Lying on the ground or trailing but 
without rooting at the nodes. 

PROSTRATE. Lying flat upon the ground. 

PUBERULENT. Minutely pubescent. 

PUBESCENT. Covered with hairs, especially if short, 
soft and down-like. 

PULVERULENT. Powdered; appearing as if covered 
bv minute grains of dust. 

PUNCTATE. Dotted with depressions or with trans- 
lucent internal glands or colored dots. 

PUNCTICULATE. Minutely punctuate. 

PYRIFORM. Pear-shaped. 

QUALITY'. The combination of characters in a fruit 
which makes it pleasant to the palate. 

RACEME. A simple inflorescence of pcdiceled flowers 
upon a more or less elongated axis. 

RACEMOSE. In racemes ; or resembling a raceme. 

RADIATE. Spreading from or arranged around a com- 
mon center. 

RADICAL. Belonging to or proceeding from the root 
or base of the stem near the ground. 

RAMIFICATION. Branching. 

RAPHE. The ridge which runs from the hilum to the 
chalaza in a seed. 

RECEPTACLE. The more or less expanded or pro- 
duced portion of an axis which bears the organs of 
a flower or the collected flowers of a head. 

RECURVED. Curved downward or backward. 

REFLEXED. Abruptly bent or turned downward. 

REGULAR. Uniform in shape or structure. 

RENIFORM. Kidney-shaped. 

REPENT. Creeping; prostrate and rooting at the 
nodes. 

RESINIFEROUS. Producing resin. 

RETICULATE. In the form of network ; net-veined. 

RETRORSE. Directed back or downward. 

RETUSE. With a shallow notch at a rounded apex. 

REVOLUTE. Rolled backward from the margins or 
apex. 

RIB. A primary or prominent vein of a leaf ; a ridge 
on a pome-fruit. 

ROOT. Tlie underground part of a plant which supplies 
it with nourishment. 

ROSETTE. A much-shortened stem bearing a dense 
cluster of leaves. 

ROSTRATE. Having a beak. 

ROTATE. Wheel-shaped ; flat and circular in outline. 

RUCINATE. Sharply incised, with the segments directed 
backward. 

RUFOUS. Reddish-brown. 

RUGOSE. Wrinkled. 

RUNNER. A filiform or very slender stolon. 

SACCATE. Sac-shaped. 

SALVER-SHAPED. Having a slender tube abruptly 

expanded into a flat limb. 
SCABROUS. Rough to the touch. 
SCAPE. A peduncle which arises from the ground, is 

simple, or nearly so, not jointed, and destitute 

foliage. 
SCARF-SKIN. The roughened outer skin of a pome 

fruit. 
SC.\RIOUS. Thin, dry, and membranaceous, not green, 
SEED. The ripened ovule, consisting of the embryo 

and its coats. 
SEEDLING. A plant growing directly from seed, ^ 

out the intervention of grafts, layers or cuttings. 



364 



GLOSSARY 



GLOSSARY 



SEGMENT. One of the parts of a leaf or other like 

organ that is cleft or divided. 
SELF-COLORED. Of one color ; not striped. 
SELF-FERTILIZATION. Action of pollen upon a pistil 

of the same llower ; close-fertilization. 
SEPAL. A division of a caljx. 
SERRATE. Having sharp teeth pointing forward. 
SERRULATE. Finely serrate. 
SESSILE. Without footstalk of any kind. 
SETA. A bristle. 
SETACEOUS. Bristle-like. 
SETIFORM. Bristle-shaped. 
SETOSE. Beset with bristles. 
SETULOSE. Having minute bristles. 
SHRUB. A woody perennial, smaller than a tree, 

usually with several stems. 
SILKY. Covered with close-pressed soft pubescence. 
SIMPLE. Of one piece ; not compound. 
SINUATE. With the outline of the margin strongly 

SINUS. The cleft or recess between two lobes. 

SMOOTH. Without roughness or pubescence. 

SPATULATE. Gradually narrowed downward from a 
rounded summit. 

SPECIES. The unit in classification. 

SPINE. A sharp woody or rigid outgrowth from the 
stem. 

SPINOSE. .Spine-like. 

SPINULE. A little spine or spine-like process. 

SPUR. A hollow sac-like or tubular extension. 

STAMEN. One of tlie pollen-bearing organs of the 
flower. 

STELLATE. STELLIFORM. Star-shaped; said of star- 
like dots on tile apple. 

STEM. The main ascending axis of a plant. 

STERILE. Unproductive, as a flower without pistil, or 
stamen without an anther. 

STIGMA. That part of a pistil through which fertiliza- 
tion by the pollen is effected. 

STIGMATIC. Belonging to or characteristic of the 
stigma. 

STIPULE. An appendage at the base of a petiole or 
on each side of its insertion. 

STOLON. A runner, or any basal branch that is dis- 
posed to root. 

STOLONIFEROUS. Producing stolons. 

STRIATE. Marked with fine longitudinal lines or 
ridges. 

STRIGOSE. Beset with appressed sharp straight and 
stiff hairs. 

STYLE. The usually attenuated portion of the pistil 
connecting the stigma and ovary. 



SUCCULENT. Juicy; fleshy. 

SUCKER. A sprout or shoot arising from an under- 
ground root or stem ; also, an adventitious shoot in 
tile top of a plant, especially a vigorous shoot. 

SUFFKUTESCENT. Slightly or obscurely shrubby. 

SUFPKUTICOSE. Very low and woody ; diminutively 
shrubby. 

SULCATE. Grooved or furrowed. 

SUPERIOR. Said of the ovary when it is free; above, 
in position. 

SUTURE. A line of dehiscence. 

SYMMETRICAL. (Hower). Regular as to number of 
its parts : having the same number of parts in each 
circle 



TENDRIL. The coiled, thread-.ike organ by which a 

vine clasps an object. 
TERETE. Having a circular transverse section. 
TERX.VTE. In threes. 

TEST.\. The outer, commonly hard and brittle seed-coat. 
THROAT. Tlie orifice of a gamopetalous corolla or 

calyx ; the part between the proper tube and the 

limb. 
TOMENTOSE. Densely pubescent with matted wool. 
TORUS. The receptacle of a flower. 
TRIFID. Three-cleft. 
TRIFOLIATE. Having three leaflets. 
TRUNCATE. Ending abruptly, as if cut off transversely. 
TUMID. Swollen. 
TURBINATE. Top-shaped ; inversely conical. 

UMBEL. An inflorescence in which the peduncles or 
pedicels of a cluster spring from the same point. 

UMBELLATE. In or like an umbeL 

UNDULATE. With a wavy surface. 

UNISEXUAL. Of one sex, either staminate or pistillate 
only. 

VALVATE. Opening by valves, as a capsule ; in aesti- 
vation, meeting by the edges without overlapping. 

VARIETY. A form, which, in the judgment of any 
writer, is considered to be subordinate to the species 
in classificatory importance. 

VEINS. Threads of fibrovascular tissue in a leaf or 
other organ, especially those with branch. 

VENATION. Veining. 

VENTRAL. Belonging to the inner face of an organ; 
the opposite of dorsal. 

VENTRICOSE. Swelling unequally, or inflated on one 
side. 



INDEX TO SPECIES 



English names in Roman 
type; Latin names in italics. 
Amelanchier 

alnijoha, 13 

canadensis, 13 
Apple, 8 
Apricot 

black, 119 

common, 119 

Japanese, 119 
Asimina 

grandi flora, 355 

triloba, 355 

Barberry 
common, 358 

Darwin's, 359 

Magellan, 359 
Berberis 

angulosa, 358 

aristata, 358 

asiatica, 358 

buxijolia, 358 

Darwinii, 359 

vulgaris, 359 
Blackberry 

cut-leaved, 273 

European, 273 

evergreen, 273 

native, 273 

Oregon evergreen, 273 
Blueberry 

black high, 322 

Canadian, 323 

early, 323 

high, 322, 323 

late low, 323 

low, 323 

swamp, 322, 323 

sweet, 323 
Buffalo-berry 

Nebraska currant, 357 

rabbit berry, 357 

Chwnomeles 

laginaria, 12 
Cherry 

duke, 129 

mahaleb, 129 

Rocky Mountain, 130 

sand, 129 

sour, 127 

sweet, 128 

tomentose, 129 

western sand, 130 
Cloudberry, 271 
Crab-apple, 9 
Cranberry 

American, 316 

large, 316 



Currant 

black, 299 

garden, 297 

golden, 300 

northern red, 299 

red, 297 
Cydonia 

oblonga, 11 

Dewberry 

California, 274 

southern, 274 

western, 274 
Diospyros 

texana, 349 

virginiana, 349 

Elaagnus 

midtiflora, 358 
Elder 

American, 355 

European, 355 

western, 355 

Fragaria 
chiloensis 333 
elatior, 333 
vesca, 333 
virginiana, 331 
var. illinoc7isis, 333 

Gaylussacia 

baccata, 324 

duniosa, 324 

jrondosa, 324 

ursina, 324 
Gooseberry 

American, 300 

European, 300 
Goumi, 358 
Grape 

blue, 230, 231 

bull, 227 

bullet, 227 

bunch, 230 

bushy, 227 

chicken, 230 

duck-shot, 230 

European, 232 

fall, 230 

Florida, 229 

fox, 230, 231 

frost, 230 

heart-leaved, 230 

mountain, 229, 230 

muscadine, 227 

mustang, 231 

northern summer, 231 
pigeon, 230 
pine-wood, 230 
365 



Grape (contd.) 
possum, 230 
post-oak, 230 
river, 229 
riverbank, 229 
riverside, 229 
sour-winter, 230 
Spanish, 230 
summer, 230 
swamp, 230 
sweet-scented, 229 
turkey, 230 
winter, 229, 230 

High-bush Cranberry 

guelder rose, 356 

pimbina, 356 

snowball, 356 

tree-cranberry, 356 

whitten, 356 
Huckleberry 

bear, 324 

black, 324 

blue, 324 

dwarf, 324 

Juneberry 

Mahonia 

Aquijolium, 359 

Frcmontii, 359 

nervosa, 359 

trijoliata, 359 
Mayberry, 271 
Medlar, 13 
Mespiliis 

germanica, 13 
Moriis 

alba, 351 

var. tatarica, 352 

ccltidijolia, 353 

multicaulis, 352 

nigra, 352 

rubra, 352 
var. tomentosa, 353 
Mulberry 

black, 352 

native, 352 

red, 352 

Virginian, 352 

white, 351 

Nectarine, 117 

Papaw, 354 
Peach, 117 
Pear 

common, 10 

Japanese, 10 

sand, 10 

snow, 10 



366 



INDEX TO SPECIES 



Persimmon 
American, 349 
common, 347 
date, 349 
Japanese, 350 
possum, 349 
Plum 

American, 123 
beach, 127 
Canada, 125 
cherrj', 122 
common, 10 
damson, 121 
hog, 123 
horse, 123 
Japanese, 122 
mountain cherry, 126 
red, 123 
sand, 126 
Simon's, 123 
Sisson, 125 
western, 125 
woolly-leaved, 124 
yellow, 123 
Prunus 

amtricana, 123 

var. mollis, 124 
angustijolia, 126 

var. varians, 126 

var. Watsoni, 126 
Armeniaca, 119 
avium, 128 
Besseyi, 130 
cerasijtra, 122 
Cerasus, 127 
dasycarpa, 119 
domestica, 120 
hortulana, 124 

var. Mineri, 124 
insititia, 121 
Mahaleb, 129 
maritima, 127 
Mume, 119 
ilunsoniana, 126 
nigra, 125 
orthosepala, 127 
Persica, 117 
pumila, 129 
salicina, 122 
Simonii, 123 
subcordata, 125 
tomcntosa, 129 
Pj/rus 

baccata, 9 
communis, 10 
ioensis, 10 
Mains, 8 



Pyrus, Malus (contd.) 

var. as(racanico, 9 

var. pumila, 9 

var. sylvcstris, 9 
nivalis, 10 
prunijolia, 10 
serotina, 10 

var. culta, 11 
Sieboldii, 10 
Soulardii, 10 

Quince 

common, 11 
Japanese, 12 

Raspberry 
American red, 269 
Arctic, 272 
black, 269 
European, 269 
flowering, 272 
Oriental, 270 
purple, 270 

Rocky Mountain flowering, 
272 

americanum, 299 
Cynosbati, 300 
Grossularia, 300 
hirtellun, 300 
inerme, 300 
missouriensis, 300 
nigrum, 299 
odoratum, 300 
oxycanthoidcs, 300 
pctrceum, 299 
rubrum, 299 
setosum, 300 
vulgare, 297 

allcgheniensis, 273 
arcticus, 272 
argutus, 272 
canadensis, 273 
ChamcBmorus, 271 
deliciosus, 272 
floridus, 272_ 
frondosus, 272 
idcEus, 269 
illecebrosus, 271 
invisus, 274 
laciniatus, 273 
Linkianus, 273 
M illspaughii, 273 
occidentalis, 269 
odoratus, 272 
parvifiorus, 272 



iJubu5 (contd.) 
phcenicolasius, 270 
procumbens, 274 

var. roribaccus, 274 
spectabilis, 272 
strigosus, 269 
thyrsanthus, 273 
trivialis, 274 
vitijolius, 274 

Salmonberry, 272 
jSamfaucus 

ca'rulca, 355 

canadensis, 355 

nigra, 355 
Shepherdia 

argcntea, 357 
Strawberry 

alpine, 333 

common, 333 

everbearing, 334 

hautbois, 333 

pine, 333 

scarlet, 331 

Virginian, 331 
Strawberiy-raspberrj', 271 

Thirablcberry 
Rocky Mountain, 272 

Faccj'rin/m 

atrococcum, 322 

corymbosuni, 322 

macrocarpon, 316 

Oxycoccus, 317 

pennsylvanicum, 323 

vacillans, 323 

virgatum, 323 

Vitis-ldosa, 317 
Fibwrnjim 

Opulus, 356 
var. americanum, 356 
Fiiw 

cestivalis, 230 
var. Bourquiniana, 231 
var. Lincecumii, 230 

Berlandieri, 230 

bicolor, 231 

candicans, 231 

cordijolia, 230 

Labrusca, 231 

Munsoniana, 229 

rotundijolia. 227 

rupeslris, 229 

vinijcra, 232 

vulpina, 229 

Wineberry, 270 



INDEX TO SYNONYMS 



Apples 
Akin Red, 15 
Albermarle, 34 
Albermarle Pippin, 34 
American, 38 
American Blush, 37 
American Mammoth, 32 
Api, 40 
Aporta, 15 

Apple of Commerce, 17 
Arabka, 23 
Arkansas, 16 

Arkansas Black Twig, 16 
August, 39 
August Sweet, 61 
Autumn Bough, 61 
Autumn Pippin, 30 
Autumn Strawbern.-, 41 
Baltimore Pippin, 18 
Banana, 68 
Banks Gravenstein, 17 
Barovitsky, 21 
Baxter's Red, 17 
Belle de Boscoop, 21 
Bellflower, 69 
Bennington, 58 
Big Romanite. 50 
Black Spitzenburg, 31 
Black Spy, 41 
Black Twig, 16 
Blair, 44 

Bogdanoff, 20, 33 
Borsdorfer, 21 
Boston Russet, 56 
Brandvwine, 45 
Bullock's Pippin, 22 
Butter Pippin, 33 
Cabashea, 61 
Canada Pippin, 22, 67 
Canada Redstreak. 54 
Cannon Pearmain, 22 
Carnation, 22 
Carolina June, 54 
Carolma Red June. 54 
Caj'uga Redstreak, 63 
Corthouse, 32 
Champion, 23 
Champion Red. 23 
Chatham Pippin, 46 
Chenango Strawberry, 23 
Christmas Apple, 40 
Cider, 58 
Collins Red, 23 
Connecticut Seek-no-Further, 

66 
Cooper's Red, 24 
Cox's Orange Pippin, 25 
Crimson Beauty, 57 
Crimson Pippin, 57 
Delaware Winter, 41 



Apples (contd.) 
Detroit Black, 26 
Douse, 35 
Duchess, 48 

Duchess of Oldenburg, 48 
Dudley Winter, 27 
Early Bough. 61 
Early Colton, 24 
Early W.ishmgton, 58 
Edgar, 65 

English Pippin, 42 
English Redstreak, 27 
English Spitzenburg, 46 
English Vandevere, 58 
Esopus, 29 
Essex Pippin, 55 
Fall Queen, 21, 35 
Fall Romanite, 53 
Fall Strawberry. 41 
Flora Bell, 3l" 
Flory Bellflower, 31 
Flushing, 31 
Fourth of July, 39 
French Pippin, 36, 55 
French Russet, 51 
Genet, 53 
Geneton, 53 
Gennetmg, 53 
Gideon White, 31 
Gilliflower, 19 
Golden Gray, 61 
Golden Pippin, 18. 49 
Golden Russet, 22, 37 
Golden Spice, 27 
Golden Sweeting, 33 
Good Peasant, 42 
Grand Duke Constantine, 

24 
Gray Apple, 51 
Gray Remette, 22 
Gra5' Romanite, 53 
Greasy Pippin, 49 
Greening, 54 

Green Newtown Pippin, 34 
Green Sweeting, 34 
Grimes, 35 

Grimes Golden Pippin, 35 
Gri.se, 51 
Haas. 35 
Hang-on, 62 
Har^-est, 52 
Haverstraw Pippin, 23 
Hemstead, 59 
Hendrick, 61 
Hendrick Sweet, 61 
Holland's Red Winter, 68 
Honey Sweet, 69 
Honey Sweeting, 34 
Horse, 35 
Hoss, 35 

367 



Apples (contd.) 
Howard's Sweet, 16 
Hubbardston Nonesuch, 37 
Huntsman Favorite, 37 
Hurlbut Stripe, 37 
Imperial White, 50 
Ingram Seedling, 38 
Jacob's Winter Sweet, 38 
James River, 41 
Johnson's Fine Winter, 70 
July Apple, 52 
July Pippin, 27 
Juniata, 65 
Kentuckj- Pippin, 18 
Kentucky Queen, 21 
Keswick "Codlin, 39 
King, 63 

King O.xheart, 64 
Kmnaird's Choice, 39 
Kinnaird's Favorite, 39 
Lady Blush, 43 
Lady's Apple, 67 
Lad\- Washington. 69 
Large Golden Pippm, 23 
Large Rambo, 35, 53 
Lincoln Pippm, 69 
Liveland, 42 
Macomber. 55 
Magnum Bonum. 20 
Magog Red Streak, 46 
McAfee Red, 42 
Mc.\fee's Nonesuch, 42 
Mcintosh Red, 43 
McMahon White, 43 
Meacham Sweet, 46 
Milding, 45 
Missouri Keeper, 45 
Missouri Orange, 45 
Missouri Pippin. 46 
Missouri Red. 46 
Monmouth Pippin, 45 
Montreal, 56 
Morris Red. 60 
Mountain Pippin, 34 
Mushroom, 21 
Musk Spice, 30 
Ne Plus LTltra Queen, 21 
Newtown Pippin. 34 
New York Bellflower, 29 
New York Pippin, 18 
No-core, 64 
Nodhead, 39 
Nonsuch. 37 
Nonpareil, 48 
North Star, 27 
Norton's Melon, 44 
Nyack, 23 

Oakland County Seek-no-fur- 
ther, 47 
Ohio Beauty, 35 



INDEX TO SYNONYMS 



Apples (contd.) 
Ohio Wine, 30 
Oliver's Red, 48 
Orange Sweet, 33, 46 
Ozark Pippin, 25 
Palmer Greening, 65 
Paradise Winter, 69 
Patten Greening, 50 
Peck, 50 
Pecker, 17 

Pennock's Red Winter, 50 
Pennsylvania Cider, 58 
Phoenix, SO 
Pointed Pipka, 23 
Pomme Royal, 27 
Ponimeroy, 40 
Pound, 32 
Pound Pippin, 30 
Pound Royal, 33 
Pound Sweet, 52 
Princess Louise, 42 
Pumpkin Sweet, 52 
Pumpkin Sweeting, 52 
Quaker, 59 
Queen, 60, 67 
Ralls Genet, 53 
Rarnsdell's Red, 53 
Red Bellflower, 48 
Red Bietigheimer, 17 
Red Cheek, 43, 45 
Red Cheek Pippin, 45 
Red Gilliflower, 19 
Red Horse, 21 
Red Juneating, 28 
Red Pennock, 50 
Red Pippin, 18, 46, 59 
Red Pound, 17 
Red Pumpkin Sweet, 53 
Red Reinette, 33 
Red Romanite, 32 
Red Spitzenburg, 55 
Red Streak, 65 
Red Vandevere, 57 
Red Wanior, 46 
Red Winter, 54 
Rhode Island Sweet, 52 
Ribston Pippin, 55 
Romanite, 32 
Rome, 56 
Romna, 36 
Rox. 56 
Roxburv, 56 
Roval Red, 68 
Russet, 56 

Russet Pearmain, 37 
Russet Seek-no-further, 66 
St. Hilaire, 36 
Scott's Red Winter, 57 
Seever's Red Streak, 64 
Senator, 48 
Shackleford, 57 
Shiawassee Beauty, 58 
Sklanka, 20 
Snow, 30 

Sour Bough, 23, 52 
Sour Harvest, 52 
Spy, 46 

Stark's Delicious, 25 
Steele Red, 54 



Apples (contd.) 

Steele's Red Winter, 17 

Strawberry, 58 

Strawberry Wine, 55 

Striped Rambo, 52 

Striped Sweet Pippin, 42 

Summer Pearmain, 51 

Summer Pippin, 23, 30, 36 

Summer Rambo, 35 

Summer Rambour, 60 

Superior White, 50 

Sutton Beauty, 60 

Sweet Harvest, 60 

Sweet Romanite, 57 

Sweet Russet, 52 

Sweet Wine, 30 

Tallman Sweet, 62 

Tallow, 42 

Tallow Pippin, 42 

Tart Bough, 23, 27 

Terry Winter, 62 

Texan Red, 68 

Thomas, 44 

Timothy, 62 

Titus Apple, 62 

Titus Riga, 62 

Tufts Baldwin, 63 

Tufts Seedling, 63 

Tulpahocken, 29 

Twenty Ounce Pippin, 63 

Vandevere, 46 

Vermont Sweet, 52 

Victoria, 64 

Victoria Pippin, 18 

Waxen, 18 

Well Apple, 62 

Western Baldwin, 16 

Western Beautv, 35 

Westfield, 66 

White Pippin, 22 

White Spice, 27 

White Winter Pearmain, 66 

Williams Early, 67 

Williams Red, 67 

Willow, 67 

Willow Leaf, 67 

Windsor Chief, 67 

Wine Sop, 68 

Winter Geneting. 52 

Winter Horse, 46 

Winter King, 63 

Winter Maiden Blush, 34 

Winter Paradise, 69 

Winter Pippin, 42 

Winter Queen, 21 

Winter Russet. 28 

Wisraer's Dessert, 69 

Y'ellow Bough, 60 

Yellow Harvest, 27 

Yellow Horse. 35 

Yellow Juneating, 27 

Yellow Newtown, 34 

Yellow Pippin, 49 

Yellow Sweet, 33 

York Pippin, 30 
Apricot 

Acme, 135 

Alberge de Montgamet, 133 

Shipley, 131 



Blackberries 
Atlantic, 285 
Black Loganberry, 288 
Crandall, 290 
Ewing's Wonder, 285 
Improved High Bush, 286 
Lowberry, 288 
New Rochelle, 288 
Star, 285 
Uncle Tom, 286 
Wonder, 285 

Cherries 

Belle Magnifique, 148 

Bigarreau de Metzel, 149 

Black Republican, 152 

Burbank Early, 139 

Choisy, 136 

Coe's Transparent, 140 

Downer's Late, 141 

Downer's Red Heart, 141 

Duke Cherry, 148 

Early Jaboulay, 148 

Early Lyons, 148 

Early May, 142 

Early Purple, 142 

Eugene, 143 

Flemish, 146 

Florence Heart, 144 

French, 142, 153 

Galopin, 147 

Glass, 141 

Governor Wood, 155 

Great Bigarreau, 149 

Great Cornelian, 141 

Honey Heart, 154 

Hortense, 151 

Kentish, 142 

Kentish Red, 147 

King's Cherry, 145 

Kirkland's Mary, 145 

Knevett's Late Bigarreau, 144 

Lewellmg, 152 

Mary, 145 

May Cherry, 148 

Montmorency, 146 

Morello, 143 

Ox Heart, 156 

Pie Cherry, 147 

Purple Guigne, 142 

Riga, 141 

Royal Ann, 149 

Schmidt's Bigarreau, 153 

Short Stem Montmorency, 
146 

Spanish Bigarreau, 156 

Sparhawk's Honey, 154 

Spate Morello, 154 

Suda Hardy, 154 

Terrv Early, 154 

White Caroon, 156 
Crab-apples 

Brier's Sweet Crab, 72 

Golden Beauty, 75 

Van Wyck, 72 

Van Wyck Sweet,' 75 

Whitney No. 20, 75 
Cranberries 

Belle of Carver, 320 



INDEX TO SYNONYMS 



369 



Cranberries (cont'd.) 
Belle of the Cape, 318 
Black Diamond, 318 
Late Howe, 319 
Late Lewis, 318 
Lewis, 318 
Vose's Belle, 320 

Currants 
Black English, 306 
Black Naples, 306 
Chautauqua Climbing, 301 
Fertile de Palluau, 303 
Knight's Improved, 303 
Long-bunched Holland, 302 
Moore's Ruby, 304 
Ogden's Black Grape, 305 
Pomona, 303 
President Wilder, 305 
Raby Castle, 304 
River's Late Red, 303 
Scarff, 302 
Scotch, 303 
White Antwerp, 305 

Dewberries 
Austin Improved, 292 
Laxton, 290 
Logan Blackberry, 290 

Gooseberries 

American Cluster, 309 
Cluster, 309 
Ohio Prolific, 309 
Oregon Champion, 309 
Whinham's Industry, 308 
Grapes 
Alabama, 250 
Alexander, 248 
Arkansas, 237 
Aspiran Blanc, 260 
Beaconsfield, 238 
Black Cape, 248 
Black Cornichon, 257 
Black El Paso, 250 
Black July, 250 
Black Muscat, 254 
Black Spanish, 250 
Bloom, 240 
Bloomsbury, 240 
Bull, 258 
BuUace, 258 
Bullet, 258 
Burgundy, 250 
Cattawissa, 240 
Chasselas Dore, 238 
Cherokee, 237 
Cigar Box Grape. 250 
Columbia Bloom, 240 
Constantia, 248 
Devereaux, 250 
Dorchester, 248 
Dunn, 247 

Early Champion, 238 
Fancher. 237 
Fern, 245 

Fontainebleau, 238 
Fox Grape, 258 
French Grape, 240 
Golden Chasselas, 256 



Grapes (cont'd.) 
Green Mountain, 260 
Hickman, 258 
Hilgrade, 245 
Hopkins Early Red, 261 
Hunt, 247 
Jaques, 250 
Joannenc, 251 
July, 251 
Lebanon, 237 
Lincoln, 237 
Listan, 256 
Luglienga, 251 
McKee, 247 
Michigan, 237 
Moscatcllo Nero, 254 
Muncy, 237 
Muscadine, 258 
Neal, 247 
Ohio, 250 
Omega, 237 
Powell, 240 
Roanoke, 258 
Ruff, 240 
Saratoga, 237 
Singleton, 237 
Sweetwater, 238 
Talman's Seedling, 238 
Tokay, 237 
Virginia, 237 
Warren, 247 
Warrenton, 247 
White Frontignan, 251 
Wilmington Red, 261 
Woodward, 248 
Worthington, 238 

Nectarines 
Large White, 159 
Lewis, 157 
Perkin's Seedling, 157 

Peaches 

Admiral, 161 
Alexander's Early, 161 
Arp Beauty, 162 
Balsey, 173 
Belle of Georgia, 163 
Blood-leaved Peach, 164 
Blood Peach, 163 
Brigg's Red May. 164 
Chair's Choice. 166 
Chinese Flat, 181 
Chinese Peach, 166 
Connett Early, 167 
Crawford's Early, 168 
Crawford's Late Melocoton, 

176 
Crawford's Superb Melaca- 

tune, 176 
Cutter's Yellow, 189 

Early Orange, 189 

Earlv Rivers, 183 

Early Victor, 188 

Earlv Wonder, 178 

Ede," 165 

Edgeniont Beauty, 169 

Engle's Mammoth, 170 

Excelsior, 167 



Peaches (cont'd.) 

Flat Peach of China, 181 
Fox Seedling, 171 
Garfield, 164 
Governor, 172 
Hale, 173 
Heath, 173, 174 
Henrietta, 177 
Hill's Chili, 174 
Hobson Cling, 174 
Indian Blood, 163 
Lee, 171 
Lemon, 177 
Levy Late, 177 
Matthews Beauty, 178 
Minnie, 162 
Miss Lola, 177 
Newark Seedling, 180 
New Prolific, 182 
Old Mixon, 180 
Pallas Honeydew, 181 
Peebles Bowers, 185 
Red Cheek Melacatune, 183 
Reeves Favorite, 183 
R. E. Lee, 171 
Rose, 186 
Salway, 184 

Seller's Orange Cling, 185 
Shanghai, 166 
Shoemaker's Seedling, 184 
Smock Freestone, 185 
Steven's Rareripe, 185 
Stinson October, 185 
Stump the World, 186 
Troth's Early, 187 
Troth's Earlv Rareripe, 187 
Tuscan Cling, 187 
Wheeler Cling. 168 
White English. 173 
White Rareripe, 179 
Yellow St. John, 184 
Pears 

Anjou, 78 

Belle lie Noel. 88 

Bergamote Lucrative, 77 

Bosc, 78 

Chambers, 87 

Clairgcau. 79 

Comet. 93 

Congress. 102 

Dearborn's Seedling, 84 

Diel. 79 

Doctor Jules Guyot, 90 

Dovcnne d'Hiver, 87 

Drouaril. 99 

Duhamel. 86 

Earlv Wilder, 105 

Gaiber's Hybrid, 89 

Giffard, 80 

Hardv. 80 

Howell's Seedling, 90 

Late Seckel, 84 

Louise, 95 

Lucrative, 77 

Manning's Elizabeth, 87 

Ne plus Meuris, 78 

Pitmaston Duchess, 98 

Saint Nicholas. 86 

Seigneur d'Esperen, 77 



370 



INDEX TO SYNONYMS 



Pears (cont'd.) 

Souvenir, 102 

Superfin, 81 

Swan's Orange, 97 

Trout Pear, 88 

Vicar, 104 

Virgalieu, 104 

Wilder, 105 

Williams, 76 

Williams Bon Chretien, 76 

Worden, 106 
Plums 

American Cherry Plum, 210 

Babcock, 193 

Bailey, 193 

Bavay's Green Gage, 192 

Bavay's Reine Claude, 192 

Beatty, 191 

Beauty of Naples, 210 

Beni Smomo, 215 

Big Blue, 202 

Black Diamond, 196 

Black Imperial, 193 

Blood Plum, 215 

Blue Imperial, 193 

Blue Magnum Bonum, 202 

Bolmar, 218 

Botan, 213 

Botankin. 206 

Caledonia Emperor, 201 

Caradeuc. 195 

Charles Downing, 196 

Chase, 193 

Cherry Plum, 210 

Clairao Mammoth, 204 

Cloth of Gold, 197 

Coe's Golden Drop, 201 

Compass Cherry, 195 

Damascene, 215 

Dame Aubert, 221 

Damson Plum, 215 

Douglas, 193 

Earlv Bradshaw, 198 

Eureka, 219 

Fellenberg, 205 

Flushing Gage, 204 

French Prune, 190 

Frogmore Damson, 199 

General Hand, 203 

Giant Prune, 200 

Golden Gage, 201 

Green Gage, 214 

Hattankio. 206 

Heideman Sand CheiTy, 195 

Honey Drop. 200 

Honsmomo. 215 

Hudson River Purple, 203 

Hungarian, 212. 218 

Hungarian Prune, 204, 218 

Hungary, 218 

Ickworth Imperatrice, 204 

Itaska, 191 



Plums (cont'd.) 
Jackson, 218 
Kelsey's Japan, 206 
Keyser's Plum, 204 
Late Klondike, 215 
Long Fruit, 213 
Market Plum, 201 
Mikado, 199 
Missouri Apricot, 200 
Mogul, 221 
Moldavka, 218 
Niagara, 193 
Nonaand, 199 
October Purple, 210 
Orient, 193 
Pacific Prune, 211 
Paragon, 193 
Perfection, 219 
Peter Yellow Gage, 212 
Petite Prune, 190 
Plumcot, 214 
Pond Seedling, 212 
Prince Englebert, 197 
Prince's Gage, 204 
Prolific, 202 
Purple Egg, 197, 203 
Purple Magnum Bonum, 

197 
Red Mirabelle, 210 
Red Nagate, 213 
Royal, 194 
Shipper Pride, 215 
Shiro, 213 
Shiro Smomo, 211 
Shropshire Damson, 215 
Sliver Prune, 201 
Simomc, 206 
Simon's Plum, 216 
Smomo, 213 
Steers' Emperor, 201 
Sugar Prune, 217 
Superior Green Gage, 204, 

218 
Traj-er. 196 
Ungarish PRine, 218 
Virginian Cherry, 210 
Voronesh Yellow, 218 
Wassu, 193 
Wentworth, 221 
White Egg, 221 
White Gage, 204 
White Kelsey, 199 
White Mogul, 221 
Willamette, 211 
Wilmot's Late Orleans, 201 
Yellow Damask. 197 
Yellow Gage, 197 
Yellow Japan, 193 
Yellow Magnum Bonum, 

221 
Yellow Nagate, 211 
Youngken Golden, 201 



Quinces 

Borgeat, 108 
Meech's Prolific, 108 
Rea's Mammoth, 109 

Raspben-ies 
Acme, 283 
Alden, 283 
Alton Improved, 276 
American Improved, 281 
Baldwin's Choice, 280 
Black Diamond, 281 
California Surprise, 280 
Conover, 276 
Dainty Favorite, 276 
Early Surprise, 280 
Great Western, 282 
Hoosier Mammoth, 282 
Idaho, 276 
Iowa, 276 
Joslyn, 281 

Miller's Woodland, 279 
Queen of the Market, 276 
Red Antwerp, 275 
Red Thornless ,280 
Shaffer's Colossal, 280 
Susqueco, 275 
Western Triumph, 282 
Wilmington, 275 

Strawberries 

Arizona Everbearing, 335 

Belt, 345 

Big Joe, 340 

Campbell's Earlv, 336 

Clark's Early, 337 

Cycloma, 335 

Dawley, 344 

Doris, 341 

Dorman, 344 

Early Idaho, 337 

Early Ozark, 342 

Ella, 341 

First Season, 338 

Gandv's Prize, 338 

Gibson, 343 

Henry, 341 

Hood River, 337 

Joe Emerson, 340 

Joe Johnson. 340 

Kitty Rice, 343 

Lady Thompson, 344 

Mexican Everbearing, 335 

Michels Early, 341 

Ontario, 344 

Osceola, 341 

Senator Dunlap, 338 

Shaw, 344 

Steven's Late Champion, 341 

Texas, 338 

Triomphe de Gand, 344 

Western Union, 336 



